Worcester Wine Route

After an amazing time in Cape Town and a great safari on a nearby game reserve, I’m headed to South Africa’s winelands. I’ve been to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek on previous trips, but this time I’m getting off the beaten path on the Worcester Wine Route.

I’m in South Africa for a wedding in Robertson, which isn’t far away, and on the way from the safari to the nuptials I head off with fellow wedding guests to do some wine tasting in the region.

The Worcester Wine Route centers around the Western Cape town of Worcester in the Breede River Valley. An hour-and-a-half drive from Cape Town, it’s easy to get to and makes a great day trip.

There are a dozen wineries and an olive estate here, so there’s plenty to keep one busy on a visit.

The wine route is a bit farther from Cape Town than Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, but it’s worth the drive to discover a quieter, more local area. The prices offer amazing value for money, too.

De Wet Cellar on the Worcester Wine Route

Our first stop on the Worcester Wine Route is De Wet Cellar. It’s harvest time, so we’re lucky enough to see it in action when we arrive.

We head indoors to the tasting room, a modern space we have all to ourselves. There are hanging swings on a terrace outside, and it all feels peaceful in the sun.

The tasting consists of a range of wines of our choice. At less than £2, it’s a bargain. None of them particularly stand out to me, but it’s interesting to try a variety and get a feel for the area’s terroir.

Worcester, Western Cape

After the tasting we head into Worcester. It’s a quick drive and soon we find ourselves surrounded by classic Cape Dutch architecture, a traditional Afrikaner style found around the Western Cape.

There are Art Deco buildings, too, and I enjoy seeing the mix of forms and taking in the history.

Once in town, we make a quick stop at a biltong shop in Worcester to pick up some of South Africa’s famous dried, cured meat.

Stettyn Family Vineyards on the Worcester Wine Route

After that we’re back on the Worcester Wine Route heading south. We try to stop at Cilmor Cellar, but they’re closed for some reason. Instead we continue until we reach Stettyn Family Vineyards.

It’s a good thing we do, too. Arriving at the tasting room, which is right next to a pretty vineyard, we discover an outdoor area with picnic tables.

We settle in and order a wine tasting and several cheese boards. We have the whole place to ourselves again and it’s the perfect scenario for a hot day in wine country.

The wine and cheese both go down a treat. We like everything from the Stone White to the Pinotage, and the platters are packed with flavorful cheeses, fat olives, ripe figs, and fresh bread.

We can’t believe how lucky we are to have stumbled across this place. It’s definitely the highlight of the day.

Nuy Winery on the Worcester Wine Route

The next morning we’re in need of a pre-wedding brunch. We find it and more at Nuy Winery on the Worcester Wine Route. We arrive at their Nuy on the Hill restaurant and the dining room is packed.

When we tuck into big breakfasts, we understand why. Not only is the food plentiful, but the views of the vineyards from our hilltop location are beautiful.

There’s wine tasting and a shop here, too, but we need to get back to Robertson to get ready for our friends’ big day.