The other day, I was asked how much I knew about Spier Wine Farm. “I’ve been to Spier before. I went to a market there. And I had my graduation there. Lot’s of trees. Yeah, I know Spier”, I replied. “No, Kayli, no you don’t”.
Spier Wine Farm is a whole lot more than I expected.
A few weeks ago I was invited to Spier to review it. Not the restaurants. Not the picnics. Not the wine tasting. Everything. I was in my element.
We arrived at the hotel early in the morning, checked in and went off for our first adventure. Meet the Segway (I named mine, Harold). It’s the thing that security guards zoom around on. It’s not as easy as it looks. At first I was “that girl” – I got on with gusto, and got off with even more. It takes a while, but you do find your balance and start trusting this weird machine, which can sense your every movement. By the end of the session I was zooming around the vineyards. Life, on foot, will never be the same again.
Next up we went off to the Heritage wine pairing (R60). The 21 Gables Chenin Blanc, with a apricot undertone, was paired with pickled fish on a honey roast sweet potato. The chocolatey Pinotage was paired with a rich dark chocolate truffle with a guava gel. The flavours worked perfectly with the wine, a great nod to traditional South African cuisine.
Lunch was at Eight, a restaurant that to the best of its abilities only uses fruit and vegetables grown and animals raised on the farm. They recycle almost everything in an attempt to minimise their carbon footprint and constantly work towards making Spier a self-sustainable, closed-loop farming system.
First we ambled over to he braai where we chose what meat we wanted and how we wanted it cooked. Then, five minutes before it was ready we went over to the buffet. The food was fresh, delicious and there was a great variety to choose from. Finally I had a RIDICULOUSLY good flour-free chocolate cake, with chocolate ice cream. It was perfect. It was like a stunning, high-end “braai”, without the fuss.
We were meant to go to the Wild Bird Experience after lunch, but after indulging in a little too much wine – the smooth, easy drinking Creative Block 2 – I needed a snooze. The bedroom is simple, but very pretty and has everything you need. Aircon, two balconies, DSTV, a fireplace, and a lovely bathroom. The rose-covered bed was enormous, I don’t think it would fit in my bedroom. Plus, each block of rooms has a pool and garden.
After a great nap, it was time for dinner. We meandered over to the hotel, where we enjoyed a delicious 3 course set menu, then relaxed on the grass looking at countless stars. Cliché, I know, but true.
Morning came all too soon, and we sadly packed our bags. But first, it was breakfast. Off the cold buffet, I had some smoked salmon, cheese and fruit. Then went to the hot buffet where your eggs are made to order, so obviously, I went with poached. With it I had divine roast potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, and beef sausage.
Although just 40minutes out of Cape Town, it felt like we were somewhere far away. They have everything you would need. The rooms are simple but have all you need. It isn’t one of those places you go for seclusion – it is a big and very busy farm and hotel – but everything they do, they do very well.
PS. You can also do a stunning audio tour of Spier, as told by a fictional character Sannie de Goede. She is a ghost who tells you about her life as a slave on the farm 200 years ago.
