Sip, Savour, Repeat: Exploring The Plettenberg Bay Wine Route
Sip, Savour, Repeat: Exploring the Plettenberg Bay Wine Route!
Plettenberg Bay may be known for its beaches and barefoot charm, but there’s another side to this coastal favourite — one that travellers with a taste for the finer things are quickly discovering. Welcome to the Plettenberg Bay Wine Route: South Africa’s smallest (and arguably most charming) wine region, where cool-climate grapes thrive and every sip comes with a sea breeze.
For guests staying at The Plett Quarter Hotel & Apartments and Robberg Beach Lodge , it’s the perfect add-on to a stylish coastal escape. Think seaside decks, panoramic ocean views, and now… crisp Sauvignon Blancs, elegant bubblies, and a new wave of surprisingly bold reds.
A YOUNG REGION WITH SERIOUS FLAIR
The Plett wine story only began in 2000 when Caroline and Peter Thorpe planted the first vines at Bramon Wine Estate, guided by winemaking legend Anton Smal. Two decades later, vines — and ambition — have flourished, with new cellars, young winemakers, and an exciting rise in quality.
Plett’s cool, erratic coastal climate is famous for producing “lazy grapes” — fruit that ripens slowly and calmly (as one does in Plett). Harvest stretches to Easter, rewarding winemakers with zesty whites, refined Cap Classiques, and silky Pinot Noirs. And now? The reds are catching up too, with experiments in Shiraz, Pinotage, Grenache, and Mourvèdre gaining momentum.
WHERE TO TASTE
Some standout stops along the route include:
• Bramon
— enjoy a legendary picnic paired with a glass of their signature wines.
• Newstead Wines
— the region’s sparkling wine standout.
Newstead has become a Cap Classique powerhouse, winning Best Overall Producer at the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge twice in four years — most recently for its Blanc de Blanc 2017, which also won Best Extended Aging Cap Classique. Their 2020 win made them the first winery outside the Cape Winelands to claim the top title.
• Kay & Monty
— scenic tastings and increasingly impressive Shiraz and Grenache.
• Bitou Vineyards
— a cellar rising from former polo fields.
• Packwood
— boutique charm and cool-climate gems guided by young winemaker Sollie Sauerman.
• Whiskey Creek
— newcomers shaping promising Chenin and Pinotage.
• That Wine Demesne
— small-batch intensity, especially in Pinot Noir.
• BDJ Café — a relaxed stop for light bites and local wines.
Prefer something other than wine? Robberg Distillery offers excellent gin tastings, and Barrington’s Brewery pours craft beers straight from the brewhouse.
TRANSFERS MADE EASY:
Guests at The Plett Quarter Hotel & Apartments and Robberg Beach Lodge can arrange wine-route transfers at reception (additional cost).
These curated day trips typically include stops at:
• Kay & Monty
• Newstead
• Bramon
• BDJ Café
Choose where you’d like to enjoy lunch (for your own account), and the team will handle all bookings, timings, and seamless door-to-door transfers.
Pairings, Plates & Perfect Endings
Many estates offer relaxed, scenic dining — but ending the day with a refined food-and-wine experience at The Sanctuary Restaurant at Plett Quarter is always a highlight.
And when the day’s tastings come to an end, nothing beats returning to your familiar room at Robberg Beach Lodge or The Plett Quarter — a quiet coffee, a nightcap, and a moment to savour the magic of this coastal wine paradise.
