Visit Groote Post Wine Estate And Country Market Day #GPCM2019 this Sunday 28 April
The air buzzed and shimmered in the heat, and the dust added to the yellow and blue hues of the landscape as I bounced along 7 kilometers of dirt road towards the Groote Post wine estate. This was my first experience of the legendary country market on the West Coast Way tractor route.
Location
Groote Post is situated on South Africa’s road trip with the most twists: West Coast Way. Just 70km or an hour’s drive from Cape Town just before the town of Darling. Travel up the West Coast on the R27, and just past Melkbosstrand exit right onto the R307. Continue along this road until you see the sign to exit left onto seven kilometers of gravel road to the winery.
History
Perched up on a boulder, the old slave bell served as a chilling reminder of our shady past, but the endless vineyards and happy crowds showed the promise and hope of the future.
Groote Post has so many stories. The San who roamed these hills before the arrival of the Dutch, the British lords who came here to shoot, and the Pentz family who started farming here a hundred years ago.
After the grape quota restrictions in the area were lifted in 1993, Peter and Nicholas Pentz planted their first vineyards. A few years later they converted the 18th century fort into a modern winery.
The Wine
Terroir is everything, and the combination of rich clay soil and cool sea breezes blowing in from the Atlantic ocean just 6 kilometers away has provided grapes for world class, award winning wines.
Groote Post produce Savignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz and Brut Rose as well as red and white blends.
Awards
Groote Post have scooped up numerous awards over the years, including golds from Platters, Michelangelo International Awards, the Veritas Awards and the Gold Wine Awards.
The Food
Hilda’s Kitchen is situated in the beautiful old homestead where modern cuisine compliments the timeless décor of solid wood furniture, gleaming copper and old paintings.
The Country Market
This popular market is held on the last Sunday of every month from August to April and is open between 10h00 and15h00.
Arrive hungry as the market is a celebration of the tastes of the West Coast, and many stall holders are from the area in and around Darling and Yzerfontein. Craft gin infused with honey, carbon neutral Darling Brew or award winning Groote Post wines keep the thirst at bay, while juicy burgers, sizzling sausages, spicy charcuterie, sweet pancakes and fresh sourdough rolls keep your tummy filled and your taste buds happy. Bring your biggest bag to stock up your pantry at home with Darling Olives, jams, chutneys, chillies and preserves. Don’t leave without some home made toffees in exciting flavours from Darling Sweet.
For gifts or the home there is a range of jewelry, bags, leather goods, wooden toys, metal garden ornaments, plants, clothing, art and crafts. Local is always so lekker, support it.
Bring the kids and let them forget screens as they enjoy tractor trips and horse rides, huge lawns to run around on, swings, trees and the crazy fun of running inside the Zorb ball.
There is plenty of space to sit in the sun or under the trees and enjoy the live music, local food, beer or wine and soak up the fresh air and relaxed atmosphere.
Opening Hours
Restaurant
Wednesday till Sunday: 12h00 – 14h00.
Bookings Essential
Tasting Room and Wine Sales
10h00 – 16h00.
Open Daily
2019 Groote Post Country Market
Sunday 31 March
Sunday 28 April
Closed during winter: May, June, July
25 Aug
29 Sep
27 Oct – Groote Post Country Run
24 Nov
15 Dec – The Christmas Market
Join us on the last Sunday of the month
In a nutshell about the Country Market: Take a break, round up the family and head out to the country to join the Pentz family for the Groote Post Country Market on Sunday 28 April between 10:00 and 15:00. We are taking a break during May, June & July, so this will be our last market for the season!
Country offerings include artisan foods, arts and crafts, homeware, clothing, jewellery, accessories, toys, fresh produce and a Bubbly stall by Groote Post Vineyards. Keep the kids entertained with tractor rides, guided horse rides and don’t miss the performance by the Jimm Harisson Project. Don’t forget to like the Groote Post Country Market Facebook page for more information.
Time 10:00 – 15:00
Activities: Live Music, Tractor Rides, Children’s Entertainment, Guided Horseback Rides
Find Groote Post Wine Cellar on the West Coast Way Tractor 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: 10:00 – 15:00
Contact: +27 (0)22 4922825 | www.grootepost.com
The Roaming Giraffe is Di Brown. Travel writer and blogger, mother, grandmother, avid reader, tourism professional, learner photographer, social media influencer, Twitter fan and lover of Instagram.
West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists
Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.
Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way:
Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve.
For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
West Coast Way is South Africa’s road trip with the most twists. Explore a unique collection of 101 road trip stops along themed routes by planning a self-drive trip or guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast vacation. 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, the West Coast Way Wild Route – as well as the newly launched Cape Way 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, the other routes on offer, 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.