Groote Post Wine Cellar in Darling is an old 18th century fort that houses a 500-ton winery. Two 18th century homes, both national monuments. A manor house that once was the shooting lodge of Lord Charles Somerset, governor to the Cape in the early 1800’s.
Break away from the hustle and bustle of the city and take the West Coast Way – South Africa’s road trip with the most twists – to Groote Post Wine Cellar on the West Coast Way Culture Route.
There’s something romantic about having to drive along a corrugated dirt road to get to a wine farm with its own game camp. Speaking of which, in 2014 the game drives on this farm received the Klink Wine Tourism 2014 Award for Most Unusual Attraction on a Wine Route.
A unique terroir where grapes ripen slowly under a curtain of cool mists from the Atlantic Ocean.
All of this – and so much more – is Groote Post.
Groote Post even has its own mountain, Kapokberg. Kapok is Afrikaans for light snow or frost. The name stems from the white daisies that cover the ‘mountain’ or hilltop in flower season (from August till the end of September).
Fittingly their flagship range is called Kapokberg – The Groote Post Kapokberg Chardonnay 2015 and Groote Post Kapokberg Sauvignon Blanc 2015 both won a Gold Vitis Vinifera Award, and the Groote Post Kapokberg Pinot Noir 2014 did so too.
Groote Post is about an hour’s drive from Cape Town – along the R27 known as the West Coast Road or via the R307 out of Darling – and 17.5 kilometres out of the town of Darling itself.
It’s close enough for city folk to drive out – on the last Sunday of the month, in summer only – to the immensely popular Groote Post country market for the day. The market focuses on local produce: home-baked breads, cheeses and charcuterie, sauces and preserves, ever-popular pomegranate products, traditional toffees from Darling Sweet and organic mushrooms. Not to forget good ole’ Weskus-wors as well. Everything at the country market is local and everything is lekker. Live music sets the tone and all the Groote Post wines can be tasted or bought by the glass, bottle or case. In addition craft beers from Darling Brew are also available.
The farm of Groote Post has had a long history: from 1808 when the manor house was built to 1972 when the Pentz family bought the farm.
Back in the day Hildagonda Duckitt, author of Hilda’s Where Is It? and Hilda’s Diary of a Cape Housekeeper – her father Frederick Duckitt bought the farm in 1838, two years before she was born – described the Groote Post manor house as a ‘dear old home’. She also told of how ‘on a whim’ carpets would be rolled back, music would start up and everyone would enjoy ‘an impromptu dance’. Hildagonda, known as Hilda, wrote one of the first truly South African cook books when she wrote Hilda’s Where is it? in 1891.
Today the restaurant at Groote Post is called Hilda’s Kitchen to honour Hildagonda Duckitt and is housed in the old house with seating outside on a shady terrace or inside next to the fireplace on a chilly day. At Hilda’s Kitchen you enjoy country-style cooking using predominantly local products; the menu changes daily and the dishes complement the entire range of Groote Post Wines.
In the 1990’s the historical track of the farm changed somewhat when Peter Pentz made the decision to sell his famous Holstein herd and to change from a dairy farm to a wine farm, planting 117 hectares of vines. And the rest is history, as they say.
The next country market takes place on 27 August 2017.
Find Groote Post Wine Cellar on the West Coast Way Culture Route
Distance from Cape Town: 60km
Groote Post Wine Cellar: Darling Hills Road, off the R27, Darling
Cellar, Restaurant, Tastings & Sales, open-air kids play area, self-guided walking trail, bird hive, Guided Farm Drives
Open 7 days a week: 9:00 – 15:00
Free wine tasting. For groups larger than 10 a tasting fee applies.
Contact: +27 (0)22 4922825 | www.grootepost.com
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.West Coast Way is South Africa’s road trip with the most twists. South Africans and visitors can explore a unique collection of themed routes to do adventure-filled Cape West Coast self-drive trips or a West Coast Holiday. The new West Coast Way “basket” of free routes on offer include the West Coast Way Tractor Route, the West Coast Way Berg Route, the West Coast Way Foodie Route, the West Coast Way Cultural Route – as well as the newly launched West Coast Way Wild Route, all of which are designed to showcase the many attractions and activities that are already on offer on the Cape West Coast and inland areas – but may be unknown to many. For more information on West Coast Way’s #WestCoastTwist and the list of 101 Things to Do on the West Coast visit www.westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Connect with West Coast Way on Facebook and Twitter at WestCoastWaySA.