Waterford Estate — Attraction in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

Being a tourguide for international clients for 15days, i aim to give my clients the best experience that South Africa can offer and that for sure includes our beautiful wine farms. So my clients asked me if we can visit Waterford wine estate as they heard so much about this beautiful wine Estate. So i jumped into action phoned Waterford to make a booking, and the lady that aswered was super helpfull. Arriving at Waterford everything went pearshaped. The Gentleman who greeted me amediatly went on the offensive, telling me sturnly that i should have told them that I am arriving with a bus. This Is not my fault, when i made the booking for 17 people they should of asked what vehicle I am using. Secondly I was told that if I bring a big group they all must take the same tasting, this also could have been told to me when i booked. I have 6 people in my group that wanted to do a different tasting because they are more intrested in higher lvl wines. Instead of coming to me with a solution they just plainly refused to issist. So i had to save the situation by asking if we can seat the 6 people separate from the rest of the group with their own waiter. After a while they agreed but not without stating that i am making it difficult for them. Unexceptable for a tourist destination like Waterford. If big groups is not allowed state so and we guides will find somewhere else to take our clients. Estate 10, wines 10, Service 5. We are trying to promote your estates, please don't treat us as people who are not worth your time. As a Capetonian myself, I am very...

Superb setting, wonderful service, (especially considering our somewhat manic party), and fine wines. Just a tiny quibble: we were informed that the steak  -  the only one on the Father's-day lunch menu  -  is done medium-rare, hope that's alright? I don't think I'd like that from a 3-Michelin-star chef. I asked the lovely waitress to beg the chef to do mine rare, but no luck. When the two steaks arrived, it was; " Two steaks here, who's having steak?" In the end, my steak was small, lukewarm and medium done. Not rare. Not medium-rare. Medium. And, while I'd thought the absence of steak-knives hinted  at the tenderness of the upcoming steak, I was mistaken. And the crowning  glory, the egg! The delightful waitress said, "I'm afraid the egg has slipped off your steak, I hope you don't mind?" I didn't, but she was wrong. The egg hadn't slipped off my steak. It had slipped off someone else's steak, at a very different point in space-time, and served the important function of proving two things: first, that we are not alone, and second, it really is cold out there in the Cosmos. Absolute zero seemed toasty in comparison. Apart from that little quibble (two little quibbles?), a splendid time was had by all. Oh, and the fountain? If "the centrepiece of the courtyard is the  magnificent and iconic fountain, (to quote the blurb on their website)...which has been  immortalised in the Waterford label, and represents a fundamental component of the Waterford philosophy", why is it off? P.S. Both the forfeited stars are for the done-ness of...

Waterford has always had a special place in my heart as it's so beautiful and their wines are also delicious, and I am glad to say that they have only improved since I last visited. This time around I took my wife for a her birthday to SALT @ Waterford and I can honestly say my mind was blown. Firstly, the restaurant makes perfect use of the picturesque courtyard with all tables positioned in such a way that you have a beautiful view of it. You can't not taste their wines when you visit so we decided on doing the tasting while we enjoyed our lunch. They have various tasting options available, however we decided on one with a wide variety of wine styles including 3 wines paired with artisan chocolates. Our lunch at SALT was just as awesome and a must experience for everyone. Everything we had was beautifully presented and super tasty! Standout dishes for us were the Swordfish, Hantam Rack of Lamb and the Grilled Beef Rib Eye, but you can't go wrong with whichever dish you end up choosing. Something which I also liked was the different salts available on the table for you to taste, as well as enjoy with your food. Our waiter, Greg, was amazing - from welcoming us at the door, to overall just being very friendly and attentive throughout our wine tasting and lunch, with his knowledge of the different wines being the cherry on-top. My wife and I would just like to say a massive thank you to Chef Beau du Toit and his entire team for making our experience at SALT @ Waterford so special...