Wildekrans Wine Estate — Attraction in Theewaterskloof Local Municipality

Reflection on a Memorable 50th Birthday Celebration On the 7th and 8th of December 2024, I celebrated my 50th birthday with a weekend getaway at a wine estate. As a long-time enthusiast of wine farm visits and tastings, I wanted this milestone to reflect my passion. The event brought together friends from around the globe, various countries across South Africa, and different provinces to share in this beautiful experience. From my first visit to Wildekrans Estate four years ago, I knew it would be the perfect venue for such a special occasion. The experience exceeded my expectations in every way. For many of my guests, this was their first time spending a weekend at a wine estate, and they were left utterly captivated. Exceptional Planning and Hospitality The estate management team played a pivotal role in ensuring the event’s success. They not only helped organize the weekend but also provided valuable suggestions for decorations, negotiated on my behalf, and even offered a list of alternative accommodations in the area when their own cottages were fully booked by my guests. The pricing for their exquisite cottages was more than reasonable, particularly since it included an à la carte breakfast. The restaurant staff were welcoming, professional, and consistently cheerful, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Emma, the manager, was instrumental in orchestrating the event—her dedication and attention to detail were remarkable. Culinary Excellence The chef’s contributions were exceptional. He prepared delightful breakfasts and catered to 60 guests over two evenings with enthusiasm and creativity. On the first evening, we enjoyed a meticulously crafted three-course meal, while the second evening featured a garden-themed African cuisine that perfectly complemented our African attire. Each dish was not only delicious and reasonably priced but also prepared with evident love and care, reflecting the chef’s commitment to excellence. The Estate’s Charm The estate itself is a haven of beauty, serenity, and peace. Many of my guests were so enchanted that they joked about repeating the experience the following weekend. The kitchen staff’s thoughtfulness extended to taking care of the performing groups with leftover food, showcasing their generosity. Keer Weer Restaurant and Tasting Room The estate’s restaurant, aptly named “Keer Weer” (“Visit Again” in Afrikaans), offers a dining experience that is both dog-friendly and seasonally adaptable, with a fireplace for winter and outdoor seating for summer. The tasting room, equally charming, features reserve wines that have earned prestigious accolades. For champagne enthusiasts, their MCC is a must-try, leaving an unforgettable impression. A Lasting Impression This celebration left a profound impact on my guests, with one remarking, “Why would you want to go anywhere else after this experience?” I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Emma, her dedicated team, the chef, and the estate owners for turning a simple birthday party into an extraordinary event reminiscent of an Oprah-worthy celebration. The memories created will be...

The first time we heard about Wildekrans was at a wine tasting their owners gave at a social gathering at the FOMO Art Gallery in Pringle Bay. We enjoyed their wine, but more so their charming personalities. It made us very curious to experience the estate. We eventually took off to find out more. In the car with us our two dogs. Big ones, a Golden Retriever and a Husky. As we found out from their website, they were dog friendly. There even used to be social dog gatherings, people meeting to walk their dogs on the vast estate. Once we turned off the main road, we felt a sense of excitement, as if we wouldn’t return home disappointed but with a sense of adventure. The road to the estate is lined by beautiful bushes and trees, and once the estate itself is insight, you drive through a lemon tree plantation with fruit hanging heavy. So, no, it’s not just the wine and not just the food. It’s the whole package, the journey to get there and how you are greeted once you arrive. The restaurant is housed in two different buildings. The one with chandeliers and fireplace was in process of being restored to former glory after the room had caught fire. The other one, the summer glass house as one might call it, is a beautiful barn-size shell with wrought-iron frames and a lot of glass. Very light and ethereal. All staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. They prepared a table on the lawn for us to sit with our dogs. The food was excellent, so was the wine. I had a beef steak with potato gratin and steamed veggies served with a smooth and tasty pepper sauce. It was presented with great attention to detail. This was refined cuisine at its finest. My wife had a vegetarian dish she was very happy about. The day ended with the chef stopping us on the way out. He just wanted to hug our dogs. We have found a new hang-out. I am already planning our...

Our stay was magical and romantic, I was completely blown away by its beauty and 5 star service. Meche was an absolute gem facilitating us with the cottage and seeing to all our needs, the estate and restaurant staff were very friendly and helpful. We had an early lunch at the restaurant, the food and wine was phenomenal, the Chef made a point to come greet us as well and that made it extra special. The restaurant experience felt like pure opulence. We were booked in for a 1 night stay and when we arrived to our cottage the champagne was on ice and our gourmet braai box was busy being prepared for evening delivery. I was able to pre-order these things prior to our arrival, I just loved that convenience! All we needed was an overnight bag, as the cottage came with a fully kitted kitchen including braai utensils, wood and fresh linen + towels with heated rooms. Every single thing was clean and in mint condition! The coffee station was stocked up and with hot chocolate too, the cottage had an honesty bar with the wine from the estate, so you really need not bring anything. It was the little things as well, the hairdryer in the cupboard, the shampoo in the shower to the bottled water and milk in the fridge. The views from the cottage was amazing, sitting on the stoep sipping on champagne and watching the horses graze was truly serene, tranquility at it’s finest. The breakfast they serve is out of this world, it was such a large spread, we left the estate with full bellies and happy hearts. My only regret is not...