Wine Tourism Travel Guide

Chapter Four
Wine Tourism Routes
4KwaZulu-Natal
Chapter Four
Wine Tourism Routes
KwaZulu-Natal4
KWAZULU-NATAL
The delightful Midlands Meander is one of the province’s chief drawcards with
its beaches, mountains, artistic inhabitants – and the same three intrepid winemakers,
pioneering away in this unlikely and fascinating location.
Did you
know...
Abingdon
Wine
Estate also
runs Wine
Appreciation
courses.
And they
make an
MCC:
Abingdon
Méthode
Traditionelle.
T
he Midlands
Meander –
wine completes
the picture
KwaZulu-Natal has myriad
attractions. From the beautiful
white sand beaches on the
Indian Ocean coastline, the
bustling city of Durban with its
eclectic mix of cultures and
strong (as in spicy) food culture,
to the rolling hills and rugged
mountains of the interior, the
lushness of the landscape
and the friendliness of the
people. A visit here would not
be complete without visiting
the battlefields, strolling the
people-watching Mecca that is
Durban’s beachfront, engaging
with the Zulu culture, hiking
in the Drakensberg, seeking
ABINGDON WINE ESTATE
out specialised arts and crafts - and tasting
wine, of course! KwaZulu-Natal continues
to surprise with the quality of its wines that
comes from vines only planted experimentally
in Greytown just over 20 years ago in 1992.
Against all advice and odds, South Africa
now boasts a wine region slap bang in
the middle of the Midlands, with minimal
hectares under vine, but its three pioneers
are still very much hanging in there, despite
sometimes trying meteorological conditions!
Abingdon, Highgate and the
Wine Cellar story…
The region remains home to one of the
highest vineyards in the country at Abingdon
wine estate, at 1 140m above sea level! The
ever-enthusiastic Smorthwaites appear to
sell out their wines with ease, while adding
new options each year. Reds, whites and a
Blanc de Noir from 2.5 hectares of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,
Shiraz and award-winning Viognier are now
accompanied by a new First Decade blend to
mark ten years of winemaking, which will also
be celebrated early next year with the advent
of two MCCs – a Chardonnay and a Shiraz/
Cabernet blend. Meanwhile, the restaurant
is going great guns (booking essential).
It remains a great Midlands Meander stop.
Not far away, Highgate Wine Estate in Lion’s
River near Howick continues its revival and,
indeed, expansion as it plans to double its
plantings to 4ha of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz and Chardonnay in
the next few years. Its own tasting room at
the Highgate Wine Estate Cellar next to the
popular neighbouring Piggly Wiggly Centre
should be open by the time you read this:
2011 Pinotage, Shiraz and Chardonnay on
offer. Small amounts of 2014 Chardonnay
and a red blend are due in 2015 after a tough
hail-blighted harvest. Finally, at the Wine
Cellar in Rosetta, a wine-selling institution
a bit further north, their Cabernet Franc
grapes were eaten by friends and family
this year – but may yet be made into wine!
In the meantime, their two Wine Cellar
blends (made from Cape grapes) will have
to suffice. You can dine and stay over too.
The treasure troves of KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is known as a sun, sea and
sand destination, but also as a place to delve
into the cultural history of the region in the
famous battlefields area around Rorke’s Drift.
Then there’s the Midlands Meander, a series of
routes themed around a cornucopia of arts and
crafts, history and fabulous food that winds
its way through the heart of the region. Funky
pottery from Ardmore and Dargle, beautifully
turned wooden bowls at the Woodturners,
characterful cheeses from Swissland,
colourful carpets from Shuttleworth Weavers,
excellent craft beer from the Nottingham Road
Brewery at Rawdons and so much more.
You could spend a month here and just scratch
the surface of this creative treasure trove.
SIP, SAVOUR, STAY, PLAY
Arts & Crafts on the Midlands Meander
The Midlands Meander is about arts
and crafts, as well as fabulous food and
even wine. Don’t miss quirky Ardmore
and Dargle Potteries, the sumptuous
pashminas and rugs of Shuttleworth
Weaving and the delicately crafted bowls
and boards of The Woodturner.
T: 033 330 8195
www.midlandsmeander.co.za
Battlefields
Fugitive's Drift is world-renowned for
its battlefield tours to all the Zulu war
battle sites in the region. Sink into history
on these fascinating tours. Tours cater
specially for children. Fugitive’s Drift also
offers accommodation.
T: 034 642 1843 www.fugitivesdrift.com
Beaches and Mountains
The Indian Ocean and the Drakensberg
Mountains are the province’s main natural
attractions – warm water, fabulous white
sand beaches, soaring peaks, dramatic
scenery, and a fabulous coastal winter
climate. The region boasts two World
Heritage Sites to boot.
T: 031 366 7500 www.zulu.org.za
Mountains on Horseback
Set off into the mountains on beautiful
Appaloosa horses bred for their friendly
characters and hardy spirits. There is selfcatering
accommodation on site as well.
T: 033 267 7227 www.bergtrails.co.za
Wildlife
KwaZulu-Natal has many game reserves:
perhaps the best-known is the Hluhluwe-
Imfolozi Park about two hours north of
Durban. It’s the oldest game park in Africa
and the only one here home to the Big 5.
It covers some 96 000ha and plays a
central role in the fight to save the rhino.
T: 033 845 1999 www.kznwildlife.com
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