Avondale Bike Park. Picture: Supplied
The South African wine industry is probably one of the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
That said, it is also an industry where innovation prevails, which is why it’s only natural that many wine farms rose up to the challenge, offering various exciting non-wine wine farm activities in addition to their ever-so-popular wine tastings.
Some of these offerings pose as post-pandemic offerings, while others have proven their worth over the years, luring guests from all over to visit the winelands again and again.
If you find yourself in the Cape Winelands this weekend, these non-wine activities should have you covered.
Avondale Wine Farm has been under cultivation for more than 300 years and was one of the first farmlands in the Paarl valley that was allocated specifically for the production of wine grapes.
In addition to its high quality, slow wine production process and its award-winning FABER restaurant, Avondale is now also known for the longest mountain bike flow trail in Africa, one of their exciting wine farm activities that was recently launched.
Located on the slopes of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains, this 2km trail is a terrain induced rollercoaster experience that now forms part of Avondale’s “Outdoor & Active” offering. It runs through unique and diverse landscapes, including pine forests and buchu plantations.
Avondale’s proprietor, Johnathan Grieve says: “Following the impact of Covid-19 on the South African wine industry, and economy in general, the last few months has seen us embark on a complete diversification of our offering that has resulted in a number of new activities and experiences now available to the public. The Avondale Bike Park is by far one of the most exciting and, as Africa’s longest flow trail, one of the most significant.”
In addition to the Avondale Bike Park, Avondale also hosts trail runs and they have recently launched the Avondale Equestrian Bring & Ride Centre as part of their non-wine activity offering.
Although it has been on offer for quite some time already, Spier’s Segway tours – one of their many non-wine activities – never disappoint. Glide through the vineyards with a two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery powered personal transporter and learn more about Spier and its natural farming practices.
Spier offers a one-hour tour, a two-hour tour and a sunset Segway tour, all boasting magnificent scenery and lots of excitement.
In addition to the Segway Tours, Spier also hosts eagle encounters, promoting conservation and education. Visitors can enjoy close and personal interactions with eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and more and get to take part in exciting falconry displays.
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Located in the Constantia winelands, Steenberg Wine Farm is not only known for its brilliant wines and award-winning Tryn Restaurant, but also for Steenberg Spa which offers blissful retreats in a magnificent setting.
The adjacent championship golf course is even more reason for escaping to this part of the winelands.
As one of the few wine farms that have gone the extra mile to accommodate families with more than just another jungle gym, Tokara has certainly outdone themselves. This Stellenbosch wine farm’s playground is next level, including four treehouses with ladders, a slide, climbing net and more. There is also a sandpit, scooters and swings.
Their Orchard Walk is also something not to miss out on.
At this Franschhoek-based wine estate, you get to explore the landscape by foot, horse or bike.
It’s also the ideal spot for a lunchtime picnic or a late-afternoon plunge in the dam, with in-house guests getting to savour the best of farm living with a complementary farm tour and direct access to the mountain bike trails and exclusive guided hikes. Boschendal’s picnics also come with live music over weekends.
The wine estate boasts a lovely playground for kids, including an impressive tree house, acorn hideouts, slides, walkways, platforms, mushroom pods and a pump track.
Visitors would also be happy to know that from 24 September, the wine estate’s much-loved Friday Night Markets are back.
Whether you’re looking for a place to escape to with your partner for a romantic picnic or whether you are in search of family-friendly wine farm activities, these undoubtedly tick all the boxes.
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