Bot River: An Insider’s Guide

Swing left off the N2 en route to Hermanus, and you’ll find yourself in the proverbial “sleepy hollow”. At first glance, you might think there’s nothing going on here. There’s no town centre, really – just a square with a hotel, grocery shop, petrol station, agricultural co-op and train station. But linger a little longer and the charm of the locals and the Overberg setting will rub off on you, not to mention the gem of a wine route. For a weekend getaway that’s mainly (or all) about relaxing and taking it easy, this rural hamlet is all that. Although you might feel inspired to track down that elusive Bot River…

Where to stay

KolKol Mountain Lodge

Sweeping mountain views and the peaceful sounds of nature set the scene for a secluded getaway. Rudi and Karen Oosthuyse were pioneers in harnessing the joys of a hot-tub holiday (their distinctive wood-fired KolKol tubs can now be found all over the Cape). The hand-built rustic-luxe retreat appeals to discerning, nature-loving travellers seeking rest and relaxation in stunning, fynbos-smothered surroundings. There are nine stone-and-log cabins and five modern Scandi-style pods made from alien wood (equipped with pizza ovens); most sleep two, although there are four suitable for families. There’s a hiking trail on site, plus a dam for swimming.
Good to know There is a minimum two-night stay on weekends.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? No
Sleeps 2 – 10 per unit
Cost Cabins: From R2 150 per night
Pods: From R2 600 per night
Where to find it Van Der Stel Pass, Bot River

Beaumont Farm Cottages

For a sense of history and warm family hospitality, book a stay on the original farm in Bot River. The Beaumonts arrived in 1974 and set about replanting the fields and restoring the 250-year-old buildings (including a Vitruvian water mill). Dotted around the garden, and a short stroll from the tasting room, restaurant and deli, three heritage cottages (thick whitewashed walls, black tin roofs, wood-beamed ceilings, open hearth fireplaces in the kitchens) offer a base for a weekend of blissful rural peace, serene views and candle-lit evenings. Pepper Tree Cottage is perfect for two, The Mill House is great for a family of four, and The Stables accommodates a bigger group in three bedrooms – and comes with its own veggie garden. Swim in the farm dam, explore the farm trails on foot or mountain bike, and enjoy good food and wine.
Good to know The entire farm is off-grid and solar-powered.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 – 6
Cost From R1 900 per night
Where to find it Main Road, Bot River
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Copia Eco Cabins

Situated on Keissieskraal Farm, these converted shipping containers are the perfect off-grid stay for an overdose of nature and seclusion (“copia” means abundance in Latin). Owner Lucas Steyn built the four cabins himself, with sheer comfort and the unspoilt surroundings in mind. With little cellphone reception and no wifi or TV, it’s easy to unplug and embrace the hilltop views while enjoying a soak in the wood-fired hot tub. Lucas has recently added super-modern Soetdoring cabin to the collection, with a “glass cube” bedroom and floor-to-ceiling windows that maximise the views.
Good to know There is a minimum two-night stay on weekends.
Child friendly? No
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? No
Sleeps 2
Cost From R1 950 per night
Soetdoring: From R2 500 per night
Where to find it Van Der Stel Pass, Bot River
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Southern Yurts

The Diepklowe Nature Reserve, a short drive from town, is the home of three unique glamping sites (in spacious yurts, two of which can combine for a larger group) and a pair of cabins in a poplar forest. It’s a true get-away-from-it-all escape, immersed in nature, where you’ll wake up to birdsong and enjoy majestic sunrise and sunset views over the valley. Each option comes equipped with a hot tub, hammock and fireplace, and guests can order delivery of sundowner, pizza, dinner or breakfast baskets. There’s a secret forest to explore, mountain hikes and a farm dam for dipping, fishing or paddling.
Good to know There is a minimum two-night stay on weekends, plus a conservation fee of R75.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? Yes (R100 per dog)
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2–4
Cost Yurts: From R1 400 per night for two people
Cabins: From R1 850 for two
Where to find it Van Der Stel Pass, Bot River
MAKE A RESERVATION

Gabrielskloof Farm House

Live the wine-farm life by booking a stay in your own gorgeous farmhouse. Built in 1910, the recently restored and updated three-bedroom home offers a stylish, tranquil and spacious base for exploring Bot River and surrounds – or staying put and enjoying the gourmet’s kitchen (fitted with Smeg appliances), light-filled lounge and dining areas, and outdoor spaces perfectly designed for gatherings (including a pool, garden and firepit). It feels grand, but not so much that you can’t kick back and relax. The views are lovely and the wine estate’s tasting room and excellent restaurant are a short walk away.
Good to know Housekeeping is available every day for an extra fee.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 6
Cost From R6 000 per night
Where to find it Swartrivier Road, off the N2, 9km from Bot River
MAKE A RESERVATION

Where to eat

Zest Deli & Kitchen

Situated at Beaumont Family Wines, Zest has an inimitable away-from-it-all ambience that invites you to relax and unwind. “It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it has to be memorable,” is what Nici Beaumont and Jen Pearson say of the gourmet farm food they serve. They grow as much as they can on the farm and ethically source the rest for delicious dishes such as tarte flambée, duck spring rolls, ricotta and spinach gnudi, and chicken schnitzel burgers, which are served in the whitewashed, prettily tiled deli, or outdoors under the oaks on the terrace, next door to the tasting room. Followed by not-to-be-missed desserts: the burnt Basque cheesecake with sour cherry compote strikes a memorable chord.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 4.30pm
Saturday + Sunday, 10am – 3pm
Contact 066 251 8155, info@beaumont.co.za
Where to find it Beaumont Family Wines, Main Road, Bot River
Enquire Now

Manny’s Kitchen

From Madeira to Bot River, it’s been a long journey for owner Manny de Andrade, but his flavours are as fresh as those on his home island off the coast of Portugal. Simple, unpretentious, good food is what he specialises in, and locals and travellers fill his small restaurant in the main square of Bot River to sample his piri-piri chicken, espetadas, prego steaks, tuna, Portuguese sardines, the must-try milho frito (the Portuguese version of fried pap) and prawns – the star of the show, according to many. A cosy interior with checked tablecloths, a fab list of local wines and a very warm Portuguese welcome seal the deal.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 9pm
Contact 028 284 9777
Where to find it 15 Main Road, Bot River

Farro

Alex and Eloise Windebank are unapologetic in their love of butter, cream, wine, bread and meat. Overlooking the serene inner courtyard at Gabriëlskloof wine farm, their daytime restaurant is a modern space (black-and-white photos, Scandi-style wooden furniture, beamed ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows) where plates of indulgent, mouthwatering food showcase a cornucopia of regional produce and classic European culinary technique. Velvety rich duck-liver parfait, arancini with truffle mayo and melt-in-the-mouth pork belly are signature dishes; there may also be Karoo wagyu steak, Elgin trout, home-smoked springbok – all accompanied by fresh pickings from local farms and wines by the glass (including from neighbouring farms).
Opening times Daily, 12pm – 3pm
Contact 028 008 5017, hello@farrofoodandwine.com
Where to find it Gabriëlskloof Wine Estate, Swartrivier Road, off the N2, 9km from Bot River
Book through DinePlan

The Restaurant at Wildekrans

Sit outside on the wide terrace, taking in the peace and rural charm of the wine farm, with views over hills and fynbos to the mountains, or indoors under the chandeliers in the restaurant itself, and prepare for contemporary dining steeped in the flavours of the local countryside by chef Gordon Manuel. From an amuse-bouche and bread course with infused butters, to mains such as slow-braised lamb shank with gremolata, pan-seared dorado with fennel risotto, or porcini mushroom risotto with zucchini, it’s perfect for a special occasion. But it also adapts easily to a relaxed family meal, with soups, burgers and a kids’ menu too.
Opening times Wednesday + Thursday, 8am – 10.30am, 12pm – 3.30pm
Friday, 8am – 3.30pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Saturday + Sunday, 8am – 10.30am, 12pm – 3.30pm
Contact 028 284 9488, vineyards@endlessgroup.co.za
Where to find it Wildekrans Wine Estate, R43, 4km from Bot River
Book through DinePlan

Things to do

Horse-riding at Klein Paradys

A wonderful way to cover more ground in the valley and go where cars can’t, you can saddle up for an hour-long vineyard trail, extend that into a longer wine-tasting trail stopping in at wine farms, enjoy a half-day mountain trail or a full-day trail with lunch. The family-run equestrian centre has horses to suit all kinds of riders (even tall or heavier ones!), and riding lessons with a qualified instructor are also available.
Good to know A five-day riding package makes a horse-riding holiday a reality.
Cost From R450 per hour
Opening times Daily, 8am – 5pm
Contact 072 542 6241, sue.klein2015@gmail.com
Where to find it Main Road (at the entrance to Bot River)
Enquire Now

Mountain-biking + hiking

Visit any of the farms and you can enjoy lovely walks. For mountain-biking, there is a network of trails surrounding the town, leading through farms and up into the mountains. Beaumont (in the centre of town) has a newly built trail that links with a neighbouring farm in Houw Hoek; Wildekrans, just out of town on the R43, also offers two routes; if you want to go “off-script”, the untarred Van Der Stel Pass is a great road to ride. There are even more trails in the Kleinmond area – Honingklip Farm has four trails for biking (green, blue, red and black to suit all levels of riders), hiking or trail running (as well as 4×4 trails, horse trails and a company offering quad-biking), plus there’s a brewery on site.
Good to know The Green Mountain slackpacking trail, run from Wildekrans Country House in Houw Hoek, takes in all the beautiful views and scenery of the area.
Note There has been damage to the MTB trails after last year’s floods, so make enquiries before setting out.
Cost R50 (at Beaumont or Wildekrans)
R50 (at Honingklip)
Opening times Daily
Contact Beaumont: 028 284 9194
Wildekrans: 028 284 9488
Honingklip: 083 287 5112

Searching out olive oil

With wine-making often comes olive oil, and there are three excellent producers in Bot River where you can double up. Winemaker Niels Verburg says the local olive oil “tends to be rather flavoursome and quite spicy”. At Anysbos, Johan and Sue Heyns produce olive oil, goat’s cheese and wines (which can be enjoyed in the tasting room). Waterleliefontein, owned by former lawyers Jo and Tessa Neser, has a 10-hectare olive grove that produces premium extra virgin (and they also produce a red wine).
Good to know Gabriëlskloof also grows olives alongside its wines (see the Wine Route section below).
Cost R120 (wine tasting at Anysbos).
Opening times Anysbos: Monday – Friday, 11am – 4pm
Contact Anysbos: 082 607 0013, info@anysbos.co.za
Waterleliefontein: 083 717 9360, info@waterleliefontein.co.za
Where to find it Anysbos: Swartrivier Road, off the N2, 11km from Bot River
Waterleliefontein: Van Der Stel Pass, Bot River

Shopping at Dassiesfontein

The proverbial treasure chest of bric-a-brac, collectables, antiques and quirky “stuff”, this labyrinthine farm stall just out of town has long been a popular stop on the N2 as the farm stall sells the yummiest pies, there are tables amid the displays, and a menu of delicious “boerekos”. You can find anything here – from beautiful old coal stoves, fireplaces, garden decor, furniture, enamelware and lamps to leather sandals, plants and herbs, tools, toys, clothing and jewellery… and a cute family of donkeys out back who love fresh carrots and apples. The deli food range includes local wines, cheeses, cold meats, butter and yoghurt (from its own dairy on site), anything that can be bottled and preserved, locally milled flour and freshly baked bread, oils, rusks and more.
Good to know The breakfast is wonderful, or come for the traditional Sunday lunch.
Opening times Daily, 8.30am – 5.30pm
Contact 028 214 1475, dassies@mweb.co.za
Where to find it 12km from Bot River on the N2

The Bot River Wine Route

There are around a dozen winemakers in the valley, all hands-on and passionate and uniquely different. Their slogan is “where real people make real wine”, promising a down-to-earth, personal style of wine-tasting. Booking ahead is a good idea as these farmers are busy in their vineyards.

Beaumont Family Wines

This farm is home to the area’s oldest wine cellar and vineyards, and the Beaumont family have been its custodians since 1974. It all started with Jayne Beaumont’s pinotage in the 1970s; current winemaker, her son Sebastian, knows his terroir like the back of his hand; his family also pioneered syrah, mourvèdre and cabernet franc in the region. Soak in all this heritage on a visit – relax in the country-chic tasting room, take a peek at the historical cellar, enjoy the seasonal, farm-fresh menu at the deli-restaurant and explore the gardens and beautiful old water mill. The tasting experience is personal and unintimidating. “If you like it, you like it, and if you don’t, you don’t – no pressure.” The old-vine chenin blanc and pinotage are standouts, with mourvèdre a personal passion project, resulting in fascinating wines that are as full of character as the family members they’re named after.
Good to know You may be lucky enough to catch a Milling Day (usually Saturdays), when Andy Selfe runs the 250-year-old water mill, with organic flour for sale.
Tasting times Monday – Friday, 10am – 4.30pm
Saturday + Sunday, 10am – 3pm
Cost R120 for a tasting
Contact 066 521 8155, info@beaumont.co.za
Where to find it Main Road, Bot River
Buy Now

Luddite Wines

“Luddism reflects our belief in wine-making where we chose to practice our craft conscientiously and retain our individuality.” Niels and Penny Verburg run their 16-hectare hillside farm with passion and good humour, and theirs is a story of slowly building a dream (now being passed on to daughter Alice, who’s learning the ropes). The most famous Luddite wine is the shiraz (first bottled in 2000), but they also produce a chenin and the Saboteur blends (white and red). That’s it, and they’re world class. Tastings can take place in the winery, with its distinctive oak-barrel-lid flooring, or on the terrace with views over the valley. While you’re there, ask for some of their olive oil.
Cost R100 for a tasting
Opening times Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm
Saturdays by appointment.
Contact info@luddite.co.za
Where to find it Van der Stel Pass, Bot River

Genevieve MCC

As the only cap classique specialist in the valley, Genevieve is a must-visit. Melissa Genevieve Nelsen (a former pilot) started her passion project in 2008 after discovering a small pocket of chardonnay vines on the Van der Stel Pass. She started small and under the radar, but has steadily built up a reputation for excellent bubbly, and recently bought a farm – a “home for Genevieve” – adding a stylish, atmospheric tasting room and two guest cottages. There is a blanc de blancs, extra brut and brut rosé to try, with a cheese and charcuterie platter if you like. Kids get a lucky packet and a scavenger hunt to enjoy the farm. Ask about the Paul du Toit Spanish-style wine glasses…
Good to know Melissa sometimes offers oysters or other foods to pair with bubbly, and also hosts occasional craft workshops and a Christmas market.
Cost R90 for a tasting
Opening times Wednesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 083 302 6562, melissa@genevievemcc.co.za
Where to find it Klein Bot River Farm, Karwyderskraal Road, 8km from Bot River
Enquire Now

Gabriëlskloof Wines

Winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson says he never gets bored of the mesmeric views of rolling hills surrounding Gabriëlskloof. When it comes to preserving the natural beauty, this winery – founded by Peter-Allan’s father-in-law Bernhard Heyns in 2001 on a former canola farm – plays an active role as a Biodiversity & Wine Champion, and the wines are correspondingly fine. This estate has the most diverse choice – reds, whites and rosé – comprising the Gabriëlskloof Range, old-vine/terroir-focused Landscape Series and experimental Projects Range. There are three tasting options, plus specialised tastings with the winemaker or cellar master can be booked. These can be enjoyed in the tasting room, the tranquil courtyard or in a private tasting room with a fireplace.
Good to know On-site restaurant Farro is just the spot to take in those spell-binding views, and to enjoy the wines with fine cuisine. Gabriëlskloof is also known for hosting great end-of-year garden parties and markets.
Cost R80 (intro tasting, 5 wines)
R200 (Landscape Series tasting, 5 wines)
R280 (deep dive tasting, entire range)
Opening times Daily, 9am – 4pm (last slot)
Contact 028 284 9865, info@gabrielskloof.co.za
Where to find it Swartrivier Road, off the N2, 9km from Bot River
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Wildekrans

This farm has been around since the earliest days of Bot River, but only recently started focusing on wine under the ownership of Gary and Amanda Harlow (since 2007). They set about renovating, rebuilding and replanting (or unplanting). Today, around 70 hectares of the 1 000-hectare property are used for sustainably farmed vineyards, while swathes of it protect rare fynbos. Wildekrans produces pinotage, shiraz, sauvignon blanc and chenin, offering The Barrel Select premium range, an Estate Range and three cap classiques, which can be tried in the Tasting Room or on its vine-covered terrace. You can enjoy your favourite bottle with a picnic basket on the lawns, or over a meal in the restaurant.
Good to know Tours of the wine cellar are offered on weekdays at 11am or 3pm (by appointment). Booking for a picnic is 24 hours in advance.
Cost Tastings: R50 – R120 per person
Picnics: R620 (excluding wine)
Opening times Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 028 284 9488, vineyards@endlessgroup.co.za
Where to find it On the R43, 4km from Bot River
Buy Now

Villion Family Wines

With 25 years of wine-making for other labels under his belt, Kobie Viljoen launched his own wine range in 2015 at Villion, named after his French Huguenot ancestor, Francois Villion. Kobie specialises in hunting down the best fruit from within the Cape South Coast region (which includes Elgin, Bot River and the Hemel-and-Aarde) to make his distinctive, terroir-driven cool-climate wines. A visit to the Tasting Room will introduce you to the colourful Die Seerowers (the pirates) lifestyle wines and the premium range (including a white merlot, grenache noir, cabernet franc and a Blanc de l’Atlantique white blend). There’s also a Proelekko bubbly, a tongue-in-cheek play on prosecco. As this is a small operation, the tasting is a wonderful, relaxed and personal experience.
Good to know Barton Vineyards has villa accommodation and is also a fynbos reserve.
Cost R15 – R40 per glass for tastings
Opening times Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm; Saturday until 3pm
Contact 082 547 5565, elnette@villionwines.com
Where to find it Off the R43, 7km from Bot River
Buy Now

Inside tips

• The Bot River Hotel verandah and pub is where you’ll generally find the locals on weekend nights; it’s also a popular gathering spot for Sunday motorbikers. Another watering hole is The Shuntin’ Shed, up at the train station (which also offers hearty takeaway meals).
• The Bot River farmers are known for celebrating the end of the harvest (around April) in interesting ways – such as with Barrels & Beards in previous years, or most recently a “Botriver Goes Wild” talent show. They also might celebrate spring in a big way. This year in March also saw the first of a planned annual F.A.M. Festival (food, art, music).
• Just over the pass, Houw Hoek Farm Stall is a great place to stock up on what you need for a self-catering getaway. Apart from the legendary pies, quiches and ciabatta, it also has a butchery and local produce.

Which are your favourites? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

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