Must-do experiences during Namaqua West Coast's flower season

Combining wine adventures with a holiday breakaway doesn't mean revisiting areas, especially when it's flower season in the Namaqua West Coast. Just three hours north of Cape Town lies a region of spectacular beauty and diversity that reaches its peak from August to October.

Part of its charm is undoubtedly that it gets fewer visitors than other regions. Those who come, however, love it for its rocky coastline and hidden bays, unique arid landscapes, many outdoor experiences, and incomparable food and cultural traditions like bokkoms, skuinskoek and the rieldans. The carpets of flowers that appear after the rains are a particular highlight.

Towns to look out for during flower season

The region incorporates the coastal villages of Doringbaai, Strandfontein, Ebenhaezer, and Papendorp as well as inland hamlets and towns like Lutzville and Koekenaap, Vanrhynsdorp, Vredendal, Klawer, and Trawal. It is home to the Hardeveld and Bokkeveld as well as the Knersvlakte translated as "the gnashing plain" and named for its extreme environment.

It is however one of only 25 of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and the only one arid hotspot.

Agriculture and major wine grape vineyards have been able to thrive in the area thanks to a 300km network of canals fed by the Olifants River and whose construction began in the early 1900s. It still represents one of the country’s major engineering achievements.

Wineries to visit during flower season

• Klawer Wine Cellars, a kiddie-friendly winery that includes experiences such as a rooibos and wine pairing as well as grape juice pairing for children.
• Teubes Family Wines, an award-winning producer whose wines include a Cap Classique.
• Namaqua Wines, whose restaurant, Die Keldery, makes this one of the region’s must-visit cellars for families.
• Bellpost: This wine farm has five boutique wines for you to choose from. If you'd like to visit the farm, making a booking is recommended. Or you can taste and buy wines at Thi Art Restau in Vredendal.
• Fryer's Cove Vineyards, whose wine tasting venue in Doringbaai's former crayfish factory is certainly among one of South Africa’s most memorable.

The first stop if one is leaving from the Mother City is the Piekenierskloof Wine Company, which is the first tasting room once the low hills of the Swartland are left behind and the Piekenierskloof Pass is reached. Tastings and sales are available at De Tol, a rest stop for travellers since 1849 that now also has a deli.

One proposed itinerary might include exploring the hinterland beyond the Knersvlakte. August to October is the busiest because of flower season, when carpets of blooms follow the annual rains. It certainly doesn’t mean leaving the local wine behind; the region is fiercely patriotic of local producers.

Stay at Leeuriet Guest Farm outside Nieuwoudtville and you might find the Bellpost on offer. Or, you can stay at Brandkop Guest Farm, renowned for its annual MTB and trail run championships, where the owners keep a cupboard stocked with their favourites from Teubes Family Wines.

Brandkop Guest Farm, Nieuwoudtville.

Must-do highlights during flower season

Loeriesfontein

The Fred Turner Museum draws hundreds of visitors to this remote Karoo town because of its collection of windpumps. Adjoining it, is a display and history of the sheep trek that farmers undertake to this day. The museum’s small restaurant has a small menu, including offal, which must be pre-booked.

Doringbaai

Walk the Flamingo Birding Route Hiking Trail or ride the Viswater MTB route, both which run along the coast, past the vineyards of Fryer's Cove, between Papendorp and Doringbaai.

Dine at Doringbaai's The Cabin Restaurant, which was revamped for chef Bertus Basson's TV show In die Sop. Be sure to book two days in advance for the “Feast” menu, which includes fresh catches and local delicacies.

The Cabin Restaurant, Doringbaai.

Vredendal

Take a break at Maskam Brewing Company outside Vredendal where a playground for the kids await.

Visit the local 1st Principles Distillery in Vredendal, which produces a small range of beverages using a solar-heated distillation. It’s only open by appointment.

Lambert's Bay

Steenbokfontein Farm is a fascinating stop and you may even get to try some locally made goats cheese, produced by Bettie Bok, whose farmstall is located a little further down the road.

Take the road less travelled and drive back to Cape Town via Lambert's Bay, stocking up on Namaqua West Coast wines at the wine shop alongside Roestyd Restaurant at the harbour.

For more information about the region, and flower season, visit the official wine route and tourism website, www.namaquawestcoast.com, or call 082 608 7554.

This article was originally published on Wines of South Africa's Visit Winelands blog.