The Elgin Valley lies approximately 70km east of Cape Town, in the exquisite fertile land beyond Sir Lowry’s pass. After crossing the intrepid Hottentots-Holland mountain range, a meander off the beaten track affords a tantalising range of cellar experiences where every bottle of wine captures the beauty of the valley.

The Elegantly Elgin Wine Route is hosting a series of free Open Wine Weekends. Once a month, seventeen wine estates will open their cellar doors (and wine bottles) to the public for an experiential wine weekend. Every month the estates will focus on a specific varietal, allowing visitors to gain an in-depth understanding of the different wines. Although weekends are variety-themed, all wineries will have their full range available for tastings. Cellar doors will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

Look out for the following Open Wine Weekends:

2 – 3 February 2013: Rosé

2 – 3 March 2013: Cellar treasures – Aged whites

6 – 7 April 2013: Pinot Noir

4 – 5 May 2013: Shiraz

UPDATE! New dates and estates have been added for the 2013/14 summer season! 

Diarise the following dates:

5 – 6 October 2013

2 – 3 November 2013

9 – 10 November 2013

30 November – 1 December 2013

4 – 5 January 2014

1 – 2 February 2014

1 – 2 March 2014

5 – 6 April 2014

3 May 2014 – Elgin Cool Wine and Country Festival

There will be a break during winter…

4 – 5 October 2014

1 – 2 November 2014

6 – 7 December 2014

Elegantly Elgin Wine Route members:

Almenkerk

Arumdale

Charles Fox Wines

Elgin Ridge

Elgin Vintners

Hannay & Catherine Marshall Wines

Highlands Road Wines

Iona Vineyards

Lothian Wines

Mofam Wines

Oak Valley Wines

Oneiric Wines

Paul Cluver Wines

Shannon Vineyards

Spioenkop Wine

South Hill Wines

Winters Drift

For more information visit their Facebook page or email taryn@elginwine.co.za.

Need a place to stay?

Seventeen wine estates is a lot to visit in one day – especially if you don’t have a designated driver. Why not make an entire weekend of it and book an overnight stay at one of the accommodations below.

Tri Active Lodge is a 3-star lodge in the heart of the Elgin Valley that is likely to surpass your expectations.  Accommodation consists of simple 2-sleeper cabins or tented camps. Each en-suite unit has two single beds, electricity, hairdryers, lighting, and electric blankets. Although not overly fancy, when you’ve spent the entire day gallivanting around the wine estates, it’s a good place to rest your head. There is also a cosy pub and deck where you can enjoy a relaxing sundowner, and the executive chef will ensure your appetite is appeased with a delicious range of menus to suit all tastes. Find out more.

If you’re looking for something more upmarket and don’t mind the drive along Sir Lowry’s pass at the end of the day, the 4-star Apricot Gardens guest house in Gordon’s Bay is less than 25km away from the Elgin Valley. Here you can enjoy luxury rooms with outstanding panoramic views of False Bay, the surrounding mountains, and Table Mountain in the distance. The rooms feature modern conveniences like under floor heating, Wi-Fi, and exclusive DStv. Enjoy a hearty farm-style breakfast with homemade bread and jam, freshly squeezed fruit juice, seasonal fruits, muesli, and yoghurt. Dinner is a 3-course affair with a selection of excellent wines from the area – a perfect supplement to a day at the cellars. Find out more.

Bring your friends along and enjoy a weekend in the Elgin Valley!

Images 1 & 2 courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net