South Africa Shops

Eyeballing wine, swirling, sniffing and swishing - it may look complicated or even snobbish, but the traditional wine-tasting technique is actually based on common sense. It's simply a way to pause for a moment, to stop and think, and to pay attention to the ways that the wine impacts on all your senses, from sight and scent to taste, aftertaste, and the overall impression that the wine leaves behind after you've finished.

Voted ‘Top Wine Retailer’ by Wine Magazine, the Chapmans Peak Wine & Spirits boutique features a large selection of local and rare wines, port, liquers, imported beers and cigars. It also has one of the largest selections of malts in Cape Town. Guests can send their favourite wines home, using the Export Facility.The small deli allows you to combine food and wine, featuring a range of local and international delicacies, including cheeses. You can also buy the best home-made ciabatta bread in town! And if you looking for ‘biltong’, look no further for the tastiest beef.

Situated in the heart of Bredasdorp, EnviroWines Wine Shop offers exceptional wines produced through environmentally friendly practices and certified by independent environmental auditors. The EnviroWines concept aims to give recognition and publicity to wineries that make a special effort in using sustainable practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment. Adhering to strict criteria, these wine estates receive the EnviroWines certification seal. Along with fabulous wines, visitors will be able to purchase accessories for the wine lover and find some great gift ideas. 28 Long Street, Bredasdorp Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 +27 (0) 28 424 2158.

The eWine Shop offers a wide selection of wines available for purchase by the bottle. Here you will be able to select Rubicon '96, Fusion V, Magna Carta, Columella and many other rare and intriguing boutique wines. 19 Concordia Street, Paarl Open Monday to Friday 08:00 – 17:00

Firehouse, Exclusive Gift and Accessories DestinationFirehouse is an exclusive retail destination store for gifts and décor accessories stocking a selection of local and some imported products with a preference for locally produced and organic wares. Bringing to consumers and corporations unique products produced in South Africa. “We adore the talent of our local designers and support the up-liftment and sustainability of previously disadvantaged communities,” says co-owners Roberta Caon and Simona Panayiotou.Caon and Panayiotou have created a space of refined understated elegance filled with home essentials, luxuries, gifts and exclusive art pieces. The atmosphere instils serenity through colour, visual display and warm notes of world music. The visitor feels enticed to meander through the store thrilled by the discovery of each new item and pervaded by the feeling of “must have it, can’t leave without it”.Caon and Panayiotou aim to have fun while doing something that they are passionate about in an honest and fair way.“We believe in building long term relationships with suppliers and clients. We support local enterprise because we love the creativity that is on offer and we believe and encourage self employment and sustainability with respect for our people and our environment. We want to distinguish ourselves as a gift and decor store by offering products of design beauty created with love in our land, through suppliers that cultivate a philosophy of sustainable living and fair trade,” say Caon and Panayiotou.Firehouse offers an experience that the client will remember and share by offering beautiful and exclusive products with incredible customer service, during and after sales. The store is set apart through unique and gorgeous gift wrapping and presentation.The Firehouse team has put together a range of exclusive products and met with most of the product owners in person to establish a relationship and have established the history and culture of the companies with which they are doing business.

St Francis Bay's Friendly Supermarket offers a variety of freshly baked speciality breads, rolls, cakes and tarts as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. A selection of freshly made home meals and take aways are available on a daily basis.

Described as the book shop with the best view in the world, Kalk Bay Books is a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, who browse and buy books, share a glass of wine or two with visiting authors, and gather for new book launches or discussions. The leather sofa invites customers to spend some time considering the books on offer, and to catch up on international book news with the New York Review of Books and other reading matter provided for their interest.Today, instead of tall tales being told around the bar counter, tales are sold at a shop counter, which was specially designed with a nod to the history of the building. Kalk Bay Books occupies premises that have a varied and interesting history. As recorded by author and historian Michael Walker in Kalk Bay: An Historical Booklet and Walk (Kalk Bay Historical Society), the building that now houses the bookshop was originally known as Die Klipkantienjie and was designed by architect John Parker in 1913.'The saloon and public bar formed part of an overall extension to the Old Masonic Hotel. Beside die Klipkantientjie, this single-storey extension had seven bedrooms, a storeroom and a large billiard roon, and was in fact larger than the Masonic Hotel. After the Masonic Hotel was demolished in 1916 the extensions became knows as The Annex to the Kalk Bay Hotel, which was later renamed the Majestic Hotel. The external façade of The Annex has changed little since Parker’s design of 1913.’Need to know? Winter trading May - September: 9am to 5pmSummer trading October - April: Monday to Sunday 9am to 6pmPeak summer season 16 - 31 December: 8am to 7pmChristmas Eve: 8am to 9pm(Closed: 25 & 26 December, 1 January)If getting to the book shop is a problem, you can browse their online books selection, which includes hand-selected fiction and non-fiction books, and many book lists offering their suggestions on a wide range of themes in the Open Books section of the website.

If you’re in Vaalwater looking for unusual handmade products made by locals look no further than Kamotsogo Craft Art. Although the artwork is contemporary, inspiration is drawn heavily from numerous African aesthetics and cultures. This wonderful empowerment initiative of the Clive Walker Foundation continues contributing to the meaningful improvement of lives and families within the local community. Originally established in 2006, this social investment plan nurtures employment opportunities and empowers women through the production, marketing and sales of their unique merchandise.

The 'warm art of Africa' lives in Bredasdorp! Visit the colourful Kapula Candles shop in Bredasdorp  - the only Kapula store in South Africa. Entrepeneur Ilse Appelgryn started making candles at her home in Bredasdorp with the skill, equipment and inspiration left to her by her Aunt Jo. She called her company Kapula Candles, short for her expression "I'm making a couple o' candles!" Today the cottage industry has grown to a large scale industry, employing many local people and exporting many handpainted products. Definitely worth a visit.

The surf’s always up at Kommetjie Longbeach! It’s easy to spend days lapping up the sunshine watching the surfers, kite-surfers and body-boarders but how about doing it yourself? No better place to start than Kommetjie. Grab a wetsuit and a surf or body board from the Kommetjie Surf Shop (021 789 4804) at Post Office House, Huskisson Way, Kommetjie, and take to the waves. You’ll be surprised how quickly you get the hang of it!

If you're visiting Montagu pop into the dried fruit and nut shop. Here you can stock up on all sorts of tasty nibbles. It all started in 1991 when a small fruit drying operation started in Montagu, the heart of thedried fruit "pantry" of South Africa. Since then they have grown to becomeone of the largest exporters in the Little Karoo. Everyday during thesummer months an enormous variety of fruit is prepared and dried to satisfythe requirements of all lovers of dried fruit.

The sleepy little coastal town of Hermanus hides a treasure trove of quality gemstones and pearls, sterling silver and a dash of gold. All handcrafted pieces are made in Franschhoek, South Africa.Need to know? Opening hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm; Sunday, 10am - 5pm ; Saturday, closed.

A few years ago the little dorp of Richmond was established as the first Book Town in the country and on the continent. Today there are a dozen bookshops in the village. The bookshops specialize in Africana with a focus on early travellers, explorers, hunters and missionaries, South African fauna and flora, fiction, bibliographies, history, the Anglo Boer war and Rhodesia. These bookish attractions are established in six Karoo-style houses, six converted stables and other outbuildings – housing used books ranging from art to warfare, aviation to natural history, biographies and children’s literature. Shops are open seven days a week, from 07:00 to 19:00 during peak season and from 09:00 to 17:00 during the rest of the year.

The Funky Cow is a quaint, eclectic little shop rooted in Underberg opposite the local Spar. Its well worth a visit as it sells gorgeous traditional Basotho blankets (since they’re on the border of Lesotho and the famous Sani Pass). You’ll also find funky jewellery, antiques, vintage clothing, awesome gifts and souvenirs to take home.

There's a new retail destination on the Mother City skyline Mover and shaker of the South African events industry Alison McCutcheon has added a new string to her bow. Seeing a gap in the market for a destination store that showcased the resourcefulness and creativity of all South Africans.The Rainbow Experience at the stylish Mandela Rhodes Place on Church Street, Cape Town offers everything you would want for an unusual gift, leisure or décor item reflecting the spirit of South Africa.This unique multi level retail concept store is packed full of intriguing, unusual and desirable products and is home to the clever handprint paintings of Nelson Mandela and other South African icons. The enterprising spirit of the rainbow nation’s people is apparent as you move through the store. Admire the artworks on the upper level and enjoy watching artists at work. Bronwyn Tarr, adds the finishing touches to another handprint painting and this initiative of McCutcheon has seen visitors and residents stop to engage as the image evolves. Enjoy browsing the book section where shelves bulge with the talent of our local authors. Visitors fascinated with South Africa’s road to freedom and iconic leader, Nelson Rohlihlahla Mandela, can view a short movie of his legendary life journey and his legacy of leadership through reconciliation, mentorship and magnanimous spirit. With contemporary art, books, music, design and fashion this is a store that simply buzzes with the passion of our people and has to be the first stop on a visit to the City. Jazz jamming sessions are regular events in the Rainbow Room on the Lower level making this the perfect creative hot spot to chill. Read, network or catch up on your mails at the espresso cafe & bar where a lively selection of social drinks plus a small menu of deliciously fresh fusion foods delight the palate. Committed to creating a flagship for the global philosophy of mankind and ubuntu, business partners McCutcheon and Frank Gormley, are supporting Mr Mandela’s vision of educating and building outstanding leaders in Africa by sustaining revenue streams to the Mandela Rhodes Foundation through the unique Rainbow Experience.Need to know? The Rainbow Experience, Mandela Rhodes Place, Church Street, Cape Town is open daily from 9am to 9pm.