Fairview: Wine, Goat’s Cheese + Farm-to-Fork Dining in Paarl

A kid-friendly food and wine destination.

Fairview’s iconic goat tower draws the eye as you arrive at this picturesque third-generation family farm in the Paarl Winelands. Will the majestic billy goat be surveying the scene from the top, or a coterie of kids scamper playfully up the spiral ramp? Known for its pioneering cheese-making and award-winning wines, owner Charles Back takes the farm-to-fork (and bottle) philosophy to heart and encourages a free-spirited experimentation grounded in sustainable farm practices.

Farm deli delights

Stepping into the farm deli is to behold a dizzying cornucopia of produce, all from the farm. Shelves of bread from the on-site bakery (they even grow their own wheat) lead to fridges of free-range lamb, boerewors and Red Angus beef all raised on the farm, and charcuterie from happy gourmet pigs, made by charcutier Neil Jewell. The cheese fridge reveals a limited-edition selection of pre-ripened speciality goat’s- and cow’s-milk cheeses only available here. And (don’t tell the goats), there’s also a gorgeous new plant-based range of cheeses and decadent ice-creams.

Fruits of the vine

In the adjoining wine-tasting room and lounge, Charles’s love for the Mediterranean shows up in an affinity for Rhône varietals – from the popular, punny Goats do Roam range, to creamy cap classique, and the experimental small-batch Bloemcool wines where winemaker Anthony de Jager is given free rein to get creative. Fairview’s regional revival range is another winner – South Africa’s answer to Mediterranean classics, such as the Super Tuscans in sangiovese-based Homtini.

Cost Farmer’s tasting: R95 (six wines, paired with four cheeses and two cured meats)
Standard tasting: R75 (six wines paired with six cheeses)
Master tasting: R150 (eight premium wines paired with eight cheeses + bread + olive oil)
Good to know A children’s tasting of cheeses and EGA rooibos or lemonade is also available.
Book Wine Tasting

Farm feasts

Wander through to the Goatshed for breakfast or lunch. The heritage, wood-beamed farm building is decorated with colourful still-life murals and ancestral portraits of the goats, with a wide, reed-ceilinged verandah and terrace looking out onto the goat tower. Chef SJ Nel transforms the wealth of fresh farm produce into a varied but down-to-earth menu of comfort food: succulent burgers, beef shin pies, straightforward sirloin steaks, or generous salads, open sandwiches and harvest bowls. And thin-crust pizzas with creative toppings (we recommend the brie, artichoke and caramelised onion).
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 4pm
Contact 021 863 3609, goatshed@fairview.co.za
Book Goatshed Restaurant

Meet the goats

A behind the scenes tour with farmer, Donald Mouton, gives you an intriguing insight into the day-to-day life of goats and cheesemakers, and is full of tales that go back to the start of Fairview’s fascinating journey.

Cost R150 per person (including cheese-tasting or snack packs)
Times Tuesday, Thursday + Friday, 10am + 2pm
Wednesday, 2pm
Duration 2 hours (with cheese-tasting)
1 hour (with snack packs)

Or join Farmer Donald on a guided 5km mountain walk to learn about the indigenous fauna and flora of the farm and the adjacent Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve.

Cost R250 per person (including coffee, bottle of water, cheese- and wine-tasting)
Times Wednesday + Saturday, 8.30am – 11.30am
Duration 3 hours (2-hour walk)
Good to know Comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen are advised. Booking is essential.
Contact 083 260 8578, donald@fairview.co.za