Approaching Hermanus from Bot River’s side you won’t be able to miss Benguela Cove on your right. This is a winery that covers much more than wine. Here you can book a high tea experience, lunch, appreciate art - especially the new Sculpture Garden, have the kids play in the Splash Park or on the pirate golf course or you can go on a pontoon ride on the Bot River. Benguela Cove is a place for the whole family.

At the start of the Hemel-en-Aarde Road (R320) is the Hermanus Wine Village where you will find most of South Africa’s fine wines, brandies, gins and craft beers. In close proximity is Whalehaven known for their chocolate pairing and Hermanuspietersfontein where a Saturday morning market is also held. Continuing on the Hemel-en-Aarde Road you will find Bartho Eksteen Wines with the brand new Mana restaurant that opens for lunch on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Next up is Southern Right, Hamilton Russell Vineyards and Bouchard Finlayson with art, hiking trails and charcuterie platters on offer. Then comes La Vierge where Chef Bruce is the kitchen. Bruce is renowned as our region’s steak master and the views from the veranda are enticing to linger with a glass of bubbly. Leaving La Vierge you can take a left onto the Karwyderskraal Road to visit Bosman Hermanus where there is food, coffee, shopping, hiking trails and wine. Back to the Hemel-en-Aarde Road proceed to Sumaridge which is recognised by its traditional building set on a dam where fly-fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines. If you don’t catch anything you can still order lunch. A stone throw away is the family vineyards of Newton Johnson where Rickey Broekhoven runs the Restaurant at Newton Johnson.

Continue to Springfontein for a wine and food combination; then find Ataraxia Wine Lounge with art on display against the majestic backdrop of the Babylon’s Toren mountain. Creation is next and offers a memorable wine and food pairing experience by serving innovative food platters highlighting the quality of each wine, art exhibitions and a fynbos garden. A stop a Domaine des Dieux will have you clinking a glass of South Africa’s best bubbly.

About 5 kilometres from Domaine des Dieux is the Onion Shed farm stall and Seven Springs tasting room. Here you can enjoy farm fresh produce and light meals with wine sipping right next door.

Enjoy this wine route for its views, hospitality, food and its glorious wines. Be sure to diarise your next trip as there is always something new to discover.