Neethlingshof (1692) — Attraction in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

…….We just had to come back here to relive the past experience that we had here of the sheer pleasure and enjoyment and obvious-lii to see if anything had changed. As we noticed already before we got here when we made our reservation, right after you put down the phone a text message arrives confirming your planned visit “How cool and very professional!” is that definitely a plus for them. Something new is that on Wednesdays between 17:30 & 20:00 they have “LIVE MUSIC” something to remember for a future Wednesday afternoon outing. The beaut-ii of this picturesque estate has not changed one bit the long tree-filled road leading up to the security post and the parking area is absolute-lii breath-taking. There is plenty of parking but today it is very full so it means that the restaurant and the tasting rooms are busy cos we could even assume this by the phone call we received while driving here inquiring if we were still coming as they needed every available table. And indeed they were full-lii booked, the big wine-shop and display room attached to the reception area is still neat and well looked after displaying their full range of wines and other kinds of souvenirs and it’s been spruced-up with some street-wire Protea-flowers in colours and also many of their awards are well displayed on the walls. There is also the massive “L-shaped bar counter where you can just walk-in and sit down to do some wine-tasting right there with-out making a reservation. They reserved a table right at the entrance which gave us a new vantage-point to observe our surroundings from a total-lii different angle which we appreciated very much and it’s incredible how different the same place can be from another seat or position. The inscription “HISTORY IN THE MAKING” across the reception counter was always there but we did not take notice of it until today so it did conger up some curiosa-tii and after some investigation we discovered the story behind this about young De Wet Viljoen who has studied at the University of Stellenbosch and gained two degrees one of the two, one being a degree in Oenology & Viticulture and then went abroad to gain more knowledge with regards Again we came to indulge in the “Flash-foods and Slow Wine-Pairing. On arrival you are poured a welcoming drink which is a Dry “Rose’” refreshing-lii fruity with an array of red fruit flavours. It real-lii sets the tone for what’s to come the five wine-pairing tray is still so snazz-ii and cool looking two white-wines and three red-wines together with the recommended foods to pair with. 1. CHENNIN BLANC 2019 (a melange of tropical fruit with elegant pear & guava flavours followed by floral notes) paired with a tomato-soup & a crisp-ii bread-stick. 2. GEWURZTRAMINER 2019 (off-dry with a spic-ii character, traces of Turkish delight, litchi & a zest-ii finish) paired a spic-ii samosa & green-mango at-char. 3. MALBEC 2018 (floral & violet fragrances interwoven with oak, spice & dark chocolate, rich & full with plum & berry flavours) paired a piece of grilled chicken. 4. THE OWL POST PINOTAGE 2017 (a rich & velvety palate with ripe fruit & vanilla flavours) paired with cocktail beef-burger. 5. THE CARACAL 2017 (a full bodied muscular & smooth wine with prune & blackcurrant flavours) paired with a cocktail malva-pudding cube. Seen that we were out in spectacular Stellenbosch we decided to make a day-out of this occasion so we ordered a Chorizo-Pizza and a Charcuterie & Cheese Platter which turned out to gorgeous-lii delicious and very scrumptious adding to the enjoyment of our day here at Neethlingshof Estate. This is a must visit venue, soon we will pay a visit to the restaurant right here on the estate. The staff and management on duty are always friend-lii and pleasant and they even have and offer free Wi-Fi available during your...

We choose Neethlingshof for Wine Tasting and Lunch today based on good Google user feedback. Unfortunately we were very disappointed. Seating was in a kind of yard from where we could not enjoy a view to the vineyards. We ordered 5 wines for tasting and a charcuterie platter for 2. The 1st wine was served, the 2nd came, and we asked to wait as we didn’t yet have anything to eat. We were told that the cheese plater would take a bit because of many Pizza orders - I got a bit confused as we had ordered charcuterie and not cheese, and told the waiter that we ordered charcuterie and not cheese, and that I cannot eat much cheese. Finally a platter came, and had more cheese on it than meat. I first talked to the waiter and then asked to talk to the supervisor. I referred to what a charcuterie platter is, also by showing Wikipedia. Unfortunately they couldn’t or didn’t want to offer a resolution despite talking to the restaurant on the next day where they bought the platters from - wouldn’t have helped me at all. To me they shifted responsibility to others. They could have offered to bring more meat or whatever - unfortunately they told us it is what it is. The platter itself was OK from the taste but not more - we asked for takeaway boxes which were brought after quite a while. The candle that was promised to keep the flies away never come. Our waiter left after the 4th wine as her group arrived as she told, so someone else came for the last wine. Overall, we love South Africa and wine tasting, unfortunately at this place we got...

We went there on Saturday the 16th February 2013. This was the second and definitely not the last time. Not only is the food great but the ever present staff are always helpful. Even though we went for the buffet breakfast we were served a can of coffee as I am a huge coffee fan. When asking for a can it was readily brought to our table by the ever smiling staff. The buffet breakfast had a large variety and there was no stinginess with the quality or quantity. There was enough for everyone twice over. Just writing this is making me hungry again.

The setting outside is of natural and peaceful beauty. There is enough flowers to make any queen bee delirious with happiness and the one that cannot be there, green with envy.

The peaceful scenery is of such that you can imagine how it would have been in Van der Stel's time. Hmm before I go on to the history lesson let me finish here.

Driving up the lane between the trees and leaving Neethlinghof sated and with the luxury feeling of accomplishment, not only having sampled the scrumptious breakfast and a taste of their superb wines, bought a box or two. you can be forgiven when you start making plans for the next weekend at Neethlinghof.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my Saturday morning that stretched into a Saturday mid afternoon, I...