A few weeks ago, I was invited to experience a day at Anthonij Rupert Wines in Franschhoek. We put aside a Saturday as we heard that it was worth spending more time than just the usual for a tasting, and took the drive over the magnificent Helshoogte Pass towards Franschhoek.
Anthonij Rupert Wines is home to two exquisite tasting rooms. The first is their Terra del Capo Tasting Room, situated at the entrance to the property, which was designed to showcase the company’s Italian-inspired Terra del Capo range. At the restored original Manor House on the farm, wine aficionados can also enjoy tailored wine tastings of the Cape of Good Hope and Anthonij Rupert Wine ranges.
Both tasting rooms are unique in their own rights and offer visitors an exquisite day out to the Winelands. Earlier in 2014 the farm introduced two beautiful vintage trams offering visitors a complimentary transport system between the two tasting rooms as well as the adjacent Franschhoek Motor Museum on the picturesque L Órmarins Wine Estate.
Below is our day at Anthonij Rupert Wines in pictures. It is surely one of the best day-trips to make in the Winelands, and offers exceptional value in terms of scenery, wine tastings, tapas and adventure. The tapas restaurant at Terra del Capo is still one of the best kept secrets in Franschhoek (not too commercial, not overcrowded) and it is very affordable. I’ll return there often – one of my favourite new places to eat. You can sit inside with a view of the cellar, or outside underneath the beautiful olive trees on comfortable couches.
This experience is highly recommendable for food and wine lovers looking for a quality day out in the Winelands, but is also a picture perfect romantic Valentine’s excursion with your beloved – especially with the newly released L’Ormarins Brut Classique and Rosé. The motor museum at the adjacent L’Ormarins is breathtaking (even for those who aren’t necessarily gearheads) and the sheer beauty of the pristine grounds and gardens will leave you in awe.
Anthonij Rupert Wines & Terra del Capo is open: Tuesday – Sunday, 10h00-16h30.
Mon – Fri: 10h00 – 17h00 (last admittance 16h00)
Sat & Sun: 10h00 – 16h00 (last admittance 15h00)
Open most public holidays (phone for confirmation +27 (0)21 874 9000 / [email protected])
No motor bikes
Admission prices are R60 adults, R50 pensioners, R50 motor club members, R30 children (3-12yrs).
The lush green gardens at Anthonij Rupert Wines.The tram waiting for us under one of the huge trees at Anthonij Rupert Wines.The beautiful vintage tram – our ride for the trip to the Manor House and L’Ormarins.The exotic entrance to Anthonij Rupert Wine’s Terra Del Capo tasting room.Lounging on the couches under the olive trees outside the Terra del Capo tasting room.The cheetah statue outside the entrance to the Terra del Capo tasting room at Anthonij Rupert Wines.The tapas prep area at Terra del Capo’s tapas restaurant.Inside the tapas restaurant at Terra del Capo, adjacent to the wine cellar.The private boardroom / dining room / tasting room at Terra del Capo.Olive oil tasting of the Terra del Capo 2012 and L’Ormarins premium ranges.Opening our tapas lunch with a glass of L’Ormarins MCC at Terra del Capo.Olive oil and wine tasting at Terra del Capo.Deep fried rillette balls at Terra del Capo tapas restaurant.White anchovies, quails egg, manzanilla olives & tomato salad, caper dressing at Terra del Capo tapas restaurant.Artichokes marinated with thyme, lemon & olive oil at Terra del Capo tapas restaurant.Fried calamari with lemon & chive aioli at Terra del Capo tapas restaurant.Zucchini fries at Terra del Capo tapas restaurant.Lamb chops at Terra del Capo tapas restaurant.The talented chef at Terra del Capo’s tapas bar. Some of the best tapas I’ve had in this region.A wide variety of wines, oils, preserves an decor is available at the shop at Terra del Capo.L’Ormarins MCC.The premium range extra virgin olive oil by L’Ormarins.Terra del Capo wine gift boxes.
The beautiful cheetah statue outside the entrance to Terra del Capo.The facade of the Terra del Capo tasting room and cellar at Anthonij Rupert Wines.The pristine grounds at Anthonij Rupert Wines.View from the tram, en route to the Manor House at Anthonij Rupert Wines.View from the stoep at the Manor House tasting room, Anthonij Rupert Wines.The manor house stoep, where we tasted the Anthonij Rupert Wine range.Cape of Good Hope Ultima – one of their premium wines at Anthonij Rupert Wines.Three of the wines in the Antjonij Rupert range.One of the rooms inside the restored Manor House at Anthonij Rupert Wines.Some of the cars that you can see at the Franschhoek Motor Museum at L’Ormarins, next to Anthonij Rupert Wines.
A panoramic view of the motor museum at L’Ormarins.
