Tokara Wine Estate — Attraction in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

I'd definitely never go back. Or recommend the Wine tasting side to Blacks.

So I was visiting Tokara for the second this month, the first time was great. I was with my friend n we visited the restaurant for wine n dining. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I still remember after our 3 course meal, we requested from the manager to take pictures by the patio since it was closed due to bad weather n he assisted us with a smile n we felt welcomed until we left.

I was there again today, attending my best friend's birthday celebration... She made reservations for wine tasting for a group of 14 ladies, after we've enjoyed the tasting before leaving we moved towards their garden area so we can get the view to take nice pictures. As we were seated inside there was an afternoon wedding n by the time we finished with our celebration the wedding had moved outdoor to an underground area. We asked for permission to go n take pictures bu the garden section n it was past 5pm n the gentleman who was busy on our table said it's okay we can go.

When we got by the garden we found those O-ring decoration thingy with flowers on n luckily when we got there.... There were two guys coming to collect the item n we politely asked to take a group photo n he said we can take as many as we want, fine...they took some pictures as I was not interested, one of the guys also volunteered to take one pic with everyone in... We thanked thm n started taking pictures focusing on the different views n two of the chefs came to ask us to leave the lawn bcz they're still busy with a private function n started making a big deal that we asked to use the O-ring n we volunteered to pay for the time or pictures we took in front of the rented services but rather I sensed a racial preference.... All of a sudden we were overcrowding their space as if we didn't spend a dime. Some of us, we didn't drink n we were all treated as if we are drunk blacks causing chaos on their premises.

We all matter as customers, we didn't even interact with the wedding group or disturb the private function.... Therefore, I feel like your treatment was unnecessary we were almost escorted out of...

The bad service ruined our afternoon. To explain this a little further:

We planned to visit the Restaurant on the 01.05.2022 so we called a day before and made a reservation for 14:00 (for the restaurant to EAT there). I specifically told them not for wine tasting. The woman told me it is better to make a reservation as they expect it to be pretty busy due to the long weekend. She also told me that the kitchen is closing at 3:30.

The next morning we called because something came in between and we would not have made it in time and asked if it would be possible to move the reservation to the day after (Monday).The man on the phone told me that this is no problem, asked me for my name and told me that he will move the reservation to the next day.

When we arrived on Monday we were told that the restaurant is closed on Monday. We were really surprised as they did not tell us that when we moved the reservation. As we have not eaten all day (did a hike in the morning and were pretty stressed to make it in time for the reservation). But as it was already later afternoon we were looking for another winery to eat but all were either closed, fully booked or would have needed a reservation 24 hours before. So we were standing there with no nice place to eat and an hour wasted trying to organize a new place. So we went home and ate our leftovers.

(And no we could not have ordered a platter and wine as we do not drink alcohol and we were looking for a meal). But the employee there did also not mention that option anyway.

I mean the opening hours are clearly stated on Google and we could have seen that. But we obviously did not check, when having a reservation for that day.

Thank you Tokara, the incompetency or lack of communication skills ruined an afternoon which could have been just nice.

As we left Stellenbosch that evening there was no option to go the day after even though we would have loved to try out there menu. But after all of this I would not like to give this place a second chance as it cost me to much of my nerves on a...

Recap When popping see an impressive presentation, all shiny, neat and clean. Stunning views on their vines and olive trees. That’s an extent of all the good things by Tokara. Thereafter wines, service, manners, come up amongst the lowest quality within Stellenbosch area.

Story Arrived late morning / lunch time in a beautiful mid-August sunny day found restaurant closed, spare waitron serving wine tastings for twenty clients approximately.

When asked a bottle of Rosé we were told not possible because Tokara wines do not have the license for selling wine at premises. Cool! Well, not so cool for a vineyard with restaurant. Therefore, we went for wine tasting and asked to pour us only white and rosé.

Again were told it was not possible and to go with the full mix of rosé, white & red. Being seated on the terrace in twenty something degrees veeery sunny spot, more importantly having to drive back to Stellenbosch we kindly suggested to not pour us red wine. Somehow somewhat we did manage to pass the right message onto the incumbent.

In the end, wines we have tasted ie. Rosé, Chenin, Sauvignon turned a total failure, no flavors and / or notes to please the palate, unbodied, mostly high level of acidity. We paired with a platter of food speaking of, just one available because were totally unprepared with service and food pairings.

When heading out at the counter noticed five (at least) waitrons standing still and / or pretending to be busy with something. They stood everywhere but approaching the tasting room (terraced) where only one waiter - the same one who served us - was running across tasting rooms being evidently unable to keep up.

Debrief Tokara Wine Estate belongs to that class of wine estate that has nothing to offer / sell but the location. Every nano-particular is overrated overpriced over staged. Terrible service, ordinary wine. Unbelievably overrated wine...