Things to Do in Pniel

The huge, sprawling Boschendal Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch is one of the oldest wine producers in the New World with a French viticulture heritage dating back to 1685. Experience Boschendal's wide range of exquisite wines by visiting the Wine Tasting Centre, situated in the oldest building on the property. Here you can taste and buy wines under the shade of the huge oak tree. Don’t miss the Exhibition Vineyard and Cellar where you can find out how the Boschendal vineyard operates and explore their state of the art cellar. The impressive Manor House is definitely worth a visit if you want to see an outstanding example of Cape Dutch architecture. Built in 1812, it is one of the few authentically furnished farmhouses open to the public at the Cape. And if all that wine tasting and exploring has given you a rumbling tummy, then choose from one of Boschendal's three world-renowned dining experiences. Visit the newly renovated Boschendal Restaurant that serves delicious, extensive Cape-French buffet luncheons, seven days a week. If the weather is fine then treat yourself to Le Pique Nique - an elegant French-style picnic beneath the fragrant pines. For light lunches and teas served under shady oak trees head straight to Le Café.

Solms-Delta offers a unique experience – far more than what you’d expect from a wine estate. Situated 15km outside Franschhoek in the heart of the Cape Winelands, this outstanding estate not only creates celebrated classical wines, it also offers a variety of highlights throughout the seasons. Visitors can picnic all year round in the enchanting forest, enjoy contemporary Cape cuisine at its renowned Fyndraai restaurant and be part of the annual harvest festival. A museum pays homage to the slaves who lived in the area and there are six special interest guided wine farm tours.Wine tasting at Solms-Delta wine estate is open seven days a week and takes place in the Museum van de Caab or under the oaks outside. The museum, which chronicles the social history of the 325-year old estate, is housed in the original wine cellar dating back to 1740.Enjoy a tasting of Solms-Delta and Solms-Astor wines and learn about the way they make their wines by taking one of the Farm Tours that include wine tasting. For more information or to book a tour call 021 874 3937.The tasting room for tasting and sales is open 9am to 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 9am to 5pm Sunday and Monday (closed December 25th and January 1st). Tasting is free for individuals. For groups of eight or more a R10 tasting fee per person is levied.

When owners Elke and Friedrich-Wilhelm Dauphin originally bought the farm, they invested substantially in staff, infrastructure and cellar technology to create a world-class winery that today produces an acclaimed range of wines. The red wines, with aromas of juicy dark berries such as blackberries and plums, are typically accompanied by spicy notes and pleasant mineral components. Allowed to develop in American and French oak barrels for a year, the reds are characterised by powerful tannins to ensure an opulent finish. In contrast, the white wines surprise with their refreshing, fine acidity and aromas of peaches and tropical fruits and they are fermented in stainless-steel tanks for nine months.Visitors to Allée Bleue may enjoy a wine tasting either in the delightfully relaxed courtyard of the Tasting Centre – conveniently located at the entrance to the Estate or by special arrangement with the winemaker. Alternatively, Bistro Allée Bleue, the Estate’s stylishly appointed restaurant set in a restored Cape Dutch building opposite the Tasting Centre, is the perfect setting in which to enjoy any of the Estate’s delicious wines either by the glass or by the bottle at cellar-door prices.

Vrede en Lust offers a Cape Winelands experience unlike any other. Here you can enjoy everything from award winning wines, historic Cape Dutch architecture, undulating vineyards, breathtaking scenery and world class facilities.Taste award winning wines by winemaker Susan Wessels (Erasmus) in the Vrede en Lust Tasting Room. Open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.Cotage Fromage Country Restaurant, Deli & Bakery is open Monday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm.Vrede en Lust is also one of the most desired destinations for weddings, lavish birthday parties, high profile product launches, conferences and corporate events.

Beautiful well-maintained and managed nature reserve approx 15km from Stellenbosch. A favourite for Stellenbosch residents and well worth the visit. Offers an amazing array of trails suitable for mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers. The trails will suit the novice to the most experienced athlete. Stunning waterfalls and rivers are easily accessible and make an ideal picnic excursion for the family. Cash required to pay for entry permit at the gate.

Steeped in early Cape history, Muratie is one of the most authentic treasures of the Cape Winelands. This working wine farm in the Stellenbosch wine region offers an experience of farm life against a backdrop of grandiose views of Simonsberg and Table Mountain. Enormous shady old oak trees line the grounds and set the stage for what lies inside the historic buildings. The old fermentation tanks in the cellar are characterised by tartaric encrusted walls, old carpets, wooden furniture and original art. This is where you will find honest farm food, good wine and great company. Muratie’s wines, in the words of the late Ronnie Melck, are ‘humble, honest and full of integrity, with quality being the only answer’. Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 Closed Good Friday & Christmas Cellar tours daily at 10:30 & 14:30.

Currently ranked the ‘5th best course in South Africa’ by Golf Digest, Pearl Valley Golf Estates was masterminded by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his unique touch is evident throughout the stunning course.Having hosted in 2008 what many believed to be the most successful South African Open in history, Pearl Valley is again hosting the 2009 Open. During the 2008 SA Open, 2007 US Masters Champion Trevor Immelman was full of praise saying, “The course is in incredible condition, it really is. That’s the way I expected the course to be, to a high standard, and they have always turned out a fantastic course, for the members day-in day-out. I really feel like these fairways; they are some of the best, if not the best, that I’ve ever played on”.Pearl Valley is truly in a league of its own - the course design and aesthetic beauty, the combination of the deep, lush green on the fairways and greens, together with the brilliant white river sand lining the bunkers was carefully planned to make Pearl Valley the most visually spectacular golf course in the country. The total length of the course is 6801 meters from the Championship tees and the members’ length ranges from 4685 to 5876 meters. Bunkers on Nicklaus’s signature courses are renowned for being shallow, long and fairly undaunting.Every hole is played against the spectacular backdrop of the mountains surrounding the estate and all are challenging due to the strategically set bunkers and fast greens.

Stellies offers a lot more than just wine. Why not spend a day exploring the many historical buildings and Museums in Stellenbosch? There is something for everyone from the V.O.C Kruithuis, an old gunpowder house where war memorabilia is on display, to the Toy and Miniature Museum, where you can take a trip back to the good old days and look at what amused children before computer games and mobile phones.The Village Museum is another must during your stay in Stellenbosch, with its four lovingly restored historic homes which you can view at your leisure, Shreuderhuis, Blettermanhuis, OM Berghs House and the beautiful Grosvenor House. A visit to any of these wonderful historical buildings is sure to be a memorable one, and is a must for anyone visiting Stellenbosch!

Inspired by Africa, a passion for wine and the ideas and philosophies of the world-renowned architect, Luis Barragan, Mont Destin cellar brings an exciting, innovative and fresh approach to wine and architecture in the Cape Winelands. On 10 hectares of land owners Samantha and Ernest have planted the classic varieties: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon; and some new and exciting varieties: Grenache, Mourvedré, Cinsaut and Viognier which gives us the opportunity to create the most interesting blends. Enjoy an unforgettable experience tasting their uniquely hand-crafted wines at Mont Destin wine cellar which is definitely the first of its kind in South Africa.

Bosman’s Crossing is a picturesque blend of heritage and modernlifestyle with a trading village as the central theme. The trading village incorporatestourist shopping, community shopping and craft markets. To enhance visitor browsing,an arched village piazza, a river promenade and a cobbled arcade were addedwith an aesthetic emphasis on natural materials.This provides an area of leisure, reflecting traditional activities of theStellenbosch wine lands embraced by the ambience of a village square consistingof restaurants, coffee shops and wine bars, open square and arcade, riverfrontboardwalk and bridge, access to the nature reserve, mini museums and a place tohonour South Africa’s wine pioneers - a “third place” to meet people and makenew friends. Papegaaiberg is a stone's throw away, with the starting point of the 24-kilometre long Vineyard Hiking Trail, through a seriesof hills and ridges, through forest plantations, vineyards, olive groves andsome of the remaining small remnants of the coastal Renosterveld.

Step into a Victorian-era general dealer in historic Dorp Street. Yesteryear's Oom Samie se Winkel trades today in much the same way as it did back then. As you enter, the pungent aroma of dried fish, spices, tobacco and leather fills your nostrils. Rummage through the shelves to find old fashioned sticky toffees, boiled sweets, collectible books, vintage clothing and authentic old butter churns. You might even walk out armed with a rare antique along with your purchases of fruit, vegetables, wine, biltong and bokkoms. This nostalgic store also operates a wine boutique specializing in exceptional vintages and unusual releases. Here you can purchase a special gift or fine wine and they will pack and ship it to destinations across the globe. Celebrate afterwards at Oom Samie's adjoining restaurant, the Koffiehuis.

The Berg River Dam is a 68 m high dam on the Berg river in South Africa. It is the centerpiece of the Berg Water Project which is designed to capture the winter rainfall and store it for supply to Cape Town during the dry summer months. The Berg River Dam was the first dam in South Africa to be designed, constructed and operated in accordance with the guidelines of the World Commission on Dams. Indigenous plants have been planted on the downstream face of the dam wall ensuring that the dam blends with the surrounding landscape. The scheme was designed to maintain the ecological integrity of the river through the release of water through low flows and high flows that coincide as closely as possible with natural flow of the Berg River. It is the first dam in South Africa where provision is made for flood releases for environmental purposes. Source: Wikipedia.org

Situated on the slopes of the Papegaaiberg, Oude Libertas overlooks the magnificent Stellenbosch mountain range. Here you can experience three centuries of Cape hospitality under the ancient oak trees with views that stretch over the surrounding scenery and vineyards. Every Saturday morning the Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market is hosted in the amphitheatre. Here truly organic suppliers and shoppers get together in a laid back atmosphere to do their trading and often share lazy breakfasts together. Facilities at Oude Libertas include an amphitheatre, restaurant, wine tasting centre, and event and conference facilities.

Steeped in history and dating from 1797, this beautiful Boutique Estate is a 'must-visit' destination in Franschhoek. Rickety Bridge offers great wines, superb picnics and light meals in summer and hearty meals in winter as well as luxury accommodation, all amid spectacular mountain views. Leave all your cares behind and cross the bridge for a truly memorable experience.Need to know? Rickety Bridge Wine Tasting Centre Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 19:00 (December - March), Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 17:00 (April - November), Sunday 10:00 - 17:00. Closed 25 December and 1 January.Tasting fee: R15.00 per person for five wines, refundable on a purchase of wine. Cellar Tours can be arranged by appointment.

Founded in 1682, Blaauwklippen is one of the oldest working wine farms in South Africa. This gorgeous wine farm is situated 50 km from Cape Town and 4 km south of Stellenbosch on the R44 Stellenbosch Wine Route. Visitors are welcome to taste a variety of wines from their Vineyard, Cultivar and Landau selections ranging from Bordeaux blends, varietals to unique red dessert wines. Their flagship wines are the Zinfandel Trio – Red, White and Noble Late Harvest. Open Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 17:00, Sunday 09:00 – 16:00.

Renowned for its exceptional wines, picturesque setting, historic buildings and rural atmosphere, La Motte is an enchanting destination for visitors to the Cape Winelands. In synchronization with the wine making process, the farm also cultivates flowers and produces ethereal oils.La Motte’s completely redesigned and refurbished tasting centre was unveiled late 2009 and has been praised for the inviting and friendly ambiance it creates for wine lovers. Seated at hand-made tasting tables or in comfortable sofas, visitors look through huge glass windows into the working maturation cellar.Visitors are able to sample La Motte’s range of award-winning wines amid original works of art by acclaimed South African artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, after whom La Motte’s range of premium wines is named.Knowledgeable staff will not only advise guests on current vintages but also some of the older vintages which can be tasted. Besides wine, guests can also purchase some of La Motte’s beautiful Disas which are available during flowering season.Tasting Room hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 17:00, closed Sundays and Christian Public Holidays.

Experience the vibrant colours and fascinating flight of numerous butterflies in a lush, tropical garden.Butterfly World, one of the more unique attractions of the Cape Winelands, consists of a tropical garden in a 1000 m2 green house where free flying exotic butterflies feel right at home.The butterfly park is located at the cross roads of the Paarl, Stellenbosch and Wellington Wine Routes, near the small Boland town of Klapmuts. Just off the N1 at Exit 47 on the Route 44 (300m to the south), it is very accessible to the many tourists visiting the area.In a separate enclosures visitors walk in between birds, common marmosets, green iguanas and a couple of blue duiker, all free to roam the garden where they want. The Spider Room displays indigenous and exotic spiders and scorpions in locked glass terraria and teaches the public to respect and appreciate these animals. A new wing to the tropical garden is the Reptile Bay where Madagascan chameleons and lizards, tortoises, Australian skinks and bearded dragons and a couple of noisy parrots are housed.The gift shop has butterfly related items for sale and the Jungle Leaf Café provides light meals and refreshments for those taking a break from butterfly watching.The beautiful outdoor garden hosts a lapa for children’s activities, a meerkat enclosure and lots of free range ducks and chickens, waiting for children to feed them with packets of seeds and fodder bought from the gift shop.Opening hours:09:00 – 17:00Monday to SundayOpen all public holidays except 25 December and 1 JanuaryEntrance fee from 1 December 2009:R39.00 per adultR22.00 for children over threeR100.00 per family (two adults, two children)R33.00 for pensioners/college students.Discount for groups (conditions apply)Children under three enter free.Entrance fee from 1 December 2010:R43.00 per adultR25.00 for children over threeR111.00 per family (two adults, two children)R37.00

Named after its dramatic views of the Simonsberg Mountain, the estate is ideally situated in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s premier wine region, 45 km east of Cape Town. Celebrating four decades of quality winemaking through innovation, Simonsig Estate, remains as dedicated about wine excellence as they are passionate about the tradition of wine enjoyment.A legendary landmark, Simonsig is one of the country’s most awarded cellars, fostering acclaimed accomplishments including South Africa’s Top Shiraz, Woman Winemaker of the Year 2005 and four ABSA Top Ten Pinotage triumphs. A visit to this unique working cellar, enhanced by daily wine tastings, its newly launched Cuvée restaurant and true Stellenbosch hospitality, make for an authentic wine experience.As founder member of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, Simonsig enjoys widespread popularity, receiving thousands of visitors. In winter a cosy fire welcomes you to the tasting room, which is managed by the irrepressible Maureen Basson. A cool, shady veranda and flutes of ice cold Kaapse Vonkel await you in summer. Informative tastings, cellar tours and a ceremonial sabrage make for a memorable visit.Need to know? Tasting & Wine Sales: Monday to Friday 08h30 to 17h00, Saturdays and Public Holidays 08h30 to 16h00. Cellar tours: Monday to Friday 10h00 & 15h00, Saturdays 10h00. Closed Sunday, Easter Fri, Dec 25 & Jan 1.

The Franschhoek Valley is one of the top wine destinations in the world. It is here that the Maison Estate produces wines that are honed with skill, care and respect. Each vine is tenderly nurtured, each grape hand selected to give it that personal touch that is always home, always Maison. “While travelling is my passion, the comforting memory of a meal, of intimate moments shared with good friends over good wine, always draws me home.” This is Chris Weylandt’s inspiration behind the name Maison, the French word for house. “We make highly individual wines. We drink them with the people closest to us – and we love drinking them at home, where we can really explore the intimate character of each bottle,” says Weylandt. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 +27 (0) 21 876 2116 www.maisonestate.co.za

Glenwood is a very special place. Located in the little-known valley of Robertsvlei, a few kilometres from Franschhoek, the farm and winery are surrounded by aspects of outstanding natural beauty.In this unique environment, it was only natural to plant the very best vines, with cultivars matched to the specific terroir of the valley, and to use sustainable farming practices to produce the best possible quality wines. They have done exactly that over the past twenty years, winning viticultural awards in the process, and their wines are receiving widespread acclaim.All grapes are hand-picked in the early hours of the morning to preserve their natural fruitiness. The wines are fermented in oak barrels or stainless steel tanks using natural and other yeasts, before maturation and bottling. State-of-the art winemaking techniques and personal attention are producing outstanding quality cultivar wines.Glenwood’s Flagship is the Chardonnay Vigneron’s selection, barrel fermented and matured in new French barrels with only wild yeast. Winning numerous awards, this wine features outstanding fruit and oak integration with a lingering aftertaste of smokey peach.Wine Tasting Hours:Mondays to Fridays 11:00 & 16:00Saturdays and Sundays (September to April, excluding Christian religious public holidays) 11:00 & 15:00Closed on weekends from May to AugustJoin their popular cellar and vineyard tours daily at 11:00.