If you are planning to pass through the Namaqua West Coast during the upcoming holidays, you have to stop at Klawer Wine Cellar, one of the best tourism attractions in the area.
The cellar first came to life in 1956, making it an important part of the Matzikama’s rich history. Klawer, the town in which it is situated, developed around the 1914 train station that linked the region with Cape Town.
The Cellars offers a unique wine experience and is conveniently situated right next to the N7 just before Klawer. It is the only wine cellar on the N7 route and is the perfect first stop when entering the Matzikama region. You will be greeted with a warm welcome and immediately experience typical West Coast hospitality.
“Our motto at Klawer Wine Cellar is to provide outstanding taste and service,” says Franci Nortje of Klawer Wine Cellar.
The Cellar receives both local visitors as well as international tour groups who often return for a second visit. The idea is to relax, sip a variety of quality wines and enjoy the beautiful Namaqua West Coast.
Klawer lies at the foot of the Matzikama Mountains on the banks of the beautiful wine producing Olifants River Valley. Klawer is approximately three hours drive or 300km north of Cape Town on the N7 and 60km from the coastal town of Strandfontein. It sits on an artery that reaches Vredendal, Lutzville, Vanrhynsdorp and Clanwilliam, and offers an ideal stopover on a drive to Namibia.
Klawer Wine Cellar offers a complimentary wine tasting set to a backdrop of beautiful green lawns that acts as the perfect picnic spot. All you need are a few friends and a picnic basket or two. Children are also welcome at the cellar, and Klawer also offers non-alcoholic grape juice for kids to enjoy.
“Lovely staff with reasonably priced wines. I enjoyed the Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. They must have the friendliest security guard in South Africa!” says Rex Aspeling after rating Klawer Wine Cellar with 5 stars on their Facebook page.
As for wine, there’s a wide variety on offer to suit everyone’s tastes at affordable prices. The Cellar’s aim is to produce top quality wines through the limited production of cultivars such as Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage. Expect a comprehensive variety of dry whites and reds, as well as sparkling wine, semi-sweet, Late Harvest, Special Late Harvest and dessert wines.
“We have three different wine ranges, Travino, Klawer Wines and Villa Esposto, made from the grapes we receive from our 89 members,” Nortje explains.
Klawer Wine Cellar has a variety of delicious dessert wines, including the popular African Ruby Rooibos Infused Vermouth. This unique South African product is a fortified wine with muscat tones, infused with the indigenous rooibos plant and buchu herb, with its many healing properties.
They now also stock a 2015 Cape Vintage 2015. It has cherry, cinnamon and smoky black fruit on the palate. The 2017 Red Muscadel sports a beautiful pink hue and muscat aroma while the 2009 Hanepoot received a gold medal at the 2012 Veritas Awards.
Klawer Wine Cellar is also home to Villa Esposto, their flagship range. This special range pays tribute to the many Italians played a pivotal role in sculpting the character of the country and is named after Louis Theodore Esposto, who arrived from Italy in 1914. Esposto and his fellow Italians built the water canal that today is a vital “fountain of life” in this arid wine growing region of the Western Cape.
“Klawer Wine Cellar is the gateway to the Olifants River Valley and offers a warm and friendly welcome to visitors. If you don’t believe it, come see for yourself!” says Nortje.For more information visit www.klawerwine.co.za, like their Facebook page (facebook.com/klawerwine) and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @KlawerWyn.
Facebook: @KlawerWine
Twitter: @KlawerWyn
Instagram: @KlawerWyn
