A go-to guide for exploring Robertson
Feeling the love in Robertson
Known as the small town with a big heart, Robertson is one of the most charming towns you could hope to come across. It is over 150 years old and as time has marched on, the town has seamlessly blended its old world charm with a new and contemporary feel. From the moment we arrived we were greeted by smiling faces, and the trend continued at every stop along our way. Everyone seems to know everyone and the sense of community is tangible. The town is filled with interesting shops and hidden gems. We could have stayed a week and still not seen them all. We can’t wait to go back and continue the adventure but for now, here are our top picks of spots to visit in Robertson.
Meet Paul René at Wonderfontein Estate
If quality Méthod Cap Classique is your thing, then Wonderfontein is the place visit. It’s the home of Paul René Brut and the perfect place to indulge in the bubbly side of wine. It’s made from 100% Chardonnay grapes and each bottle is matured for up to twenty months. The result is a vibrant Brut with fresh notes of apricot, green apple, and a persistent dry finish. Paul René’s design is attributed to Monica, the daughter of estate’s proprietor, Paul René Marais. For Monica it was a labour of love and worth every second. Unfortunately the Estate only opens during festivals, so if you heading to this year’s Wacky Wine Weekend, be sure to book a tasting in advance. At this year’s festival they’ll be hosting blind bubbly tastings.
Find perfection at Springfield Estate
If you’re looking for one of the best wine experiences in Robertson, you’ll find it at Springfield Estate. It’s owned and run by brother and sister, Abrie and Jeanette Bruwer and backed by a passionate and knowledgeable staff. This is one serious bunch of wine lovers and only the best will do. Springfield’s philosophy is to make wine as naturally as possible, and many of the wines are fermented using wild yeast found on the grape skins. It’s a lengthy, high risk process that can result in lost vintages, but the reward is a range of rich and complex terroir-driven wines. Be sure to try, and then buy a bottle or ten of the Wild Yeast Chardonnay.
Explore chardonnay at De Wetshof Estate
De Wetshof is owned by the De Wet family and they’re passionate about wine, the environment and the community around them. The estate boasts many fine vintages but they’re most famous for their range of Chardonnay. Each vineyard on the estate has a different composition of soil that ranges from rocky mountain gravel to riverside clay. All have a high limestone content, which is a key factor when producing wines with fruit balance. The tasting room building is a replica of Cape Town’s Koopmans-de Wet house, built by famed French architect, Louis-Michel Thibault. The interior is cozy and comfortable with a fireplace that’s the perfect spot to sample the fine wines.
Luxury living at the Robertson Small Hotel
If you want to see Robertson in style then this is only place you should stay. Everything about the Robertson Small exudes luxury, but at the same time it’s cool, comfortable and tranquil. The host and hostess, Raynaldo and Deoné are excellent at what they do, and really make you feel at home. Things that really stand out are the attention to detail and personal touches. Everything from your arrival and welcome drink, to room turndown service and dining experience feels personalised. It’s really hard not to feel like a VIP with such great service. The in-house restaurant is Reuben’s, and as you can imagine, the experience is first class all the way. The menu is a seasonal mix of eclectic and innovative dishes, and the wine menu is second to none.
Stay traditional at Pinto Butchery
What would a trip to Karoo country be without a lamb chop? Stop in at Pinto Butchery and ask to speak to Heidi. She’ll sort you out with the best thick cut lamb chops you’ve ever had. Pinto is a family run butchery and they believe that it’s the personal touch that makes the difference.
55 Paul Kruger Str
Kick back at De Bakkery
This quaint little bakery and coffee shop has all sorts of tasty treats on offer. Pick up a loaf or two of bread and a quiche or five of the bacon and mushroom variety. De Bakkery also does a meal of the day menu. Expect great home-style cooking with plenty of Afrikaans favourites like Waterblommetjie Bredie, Frikkadelle and Skaapboud.
40 Truter Str
Charge up at Strictly Coffee & Charcuterie
Coffee and road trips go hand in hand, so it makes perfect sense to stop in at Strictly Coffee. This boutique coffee roaster makes a mean espresso and supplies half the town with kickass brew. It’s owned by Hanno Schwartz and he’s also a self taught charcutier. Strictly Charcuterie supplies a number of wine farms in the region, and the meats are also available at the coffee shop.
5 Voortrekker Rd
Browse at Affie Plaas Padstal
Affie Plaas Padstal is one of those places that you can spend hours browsing through. They have a massive variety of everything food and drink. They also have a great wine and craft beer selection, and you should definitely get one of Ouma’s famous melkterts.
Located on the R60 towards Robertson
Next time you visit the town of Robertson, be sure to pop in and enjoy some of these special places that make this countryside town a special place.
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