Discover things to do in the Helderberg, including wine estate visits, tours, outdoor activities, attractions, and local experiences. This section includes guides, reviews, and recommendations for visitors and residents.
🍷 THE COMPLETE RELIABLE ETYMOLOGICAL GUIDE TO SOUTH AFRICAN WINE NAMES Where the names came from, what they actually mean, and the surprising number of times the answer involves a French person being difficult A NOTE BEFORE WE BEGIN The following etymologies are presented in two categories: what the name actually means, delivered with the…
GB Winter Wonderland: Gordon’s Bay officially launches its most ambitious tourism campaign since the time someone put up a sign saying “scenic views” pointing directly at a municipal ablution block Tourism officials confirm the town is “open for winter.” Winter, contacted for comment, confirmed it was already there and had been for some time. By…
You get the invite. It’s not fancy. A text, maybe a shouted conversation over a garden wall. “*Come around Saturday. We’ll make a fire.*” The heart swells. The taste buds anticipate. You are, officially, going to a *braai*. But then you arrive. You step through the gate, nod at the neighbour’s barking dog and make…
COMMUNITY & LOCAL AFFAIRS CEY vs CFM: THE GREAT HELDERBERG GRUDGE MATCH —THE RIVALRY NOBODY OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGES BUT ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY IS HAVING Two towns. One basin. A shared mountain, a shared road and approximately forty years of accumulated opinions about each other’s parking, property values and general sense of self-importance. The Helderburger investigates. By Fannie…
🍷 Swirl, Sniff & Surrender: A Deeply Unreliable Guide to Cape Winelands Tasting Notes A tour through the vineyards of Stellenbosch & Franschhoek — where the wine is magnificent and the label copy is completely unhinged Prologue You arrive in the Cape Winelands with the best of intentions. You want to appreciate wine. You want…
The wine sat in Derek’s grocery basket like a small, glittering indictment: twelve dollars and ninety-nine cents, the price tag blazing in neon yellow as though the universe itself wanted Vanessa’s entire dinner party to know exactly how much he valued their friendship. He picked it up, turned it away from a passing stranger —…
How to react when going on a wine tour. After about the third cellar visit you will automatically know how to react. You will be on “Auto Pilot” as they say. This will guide you through your first tasting experience. By using this guide will create an admiration by cellar staff members and tasting room…
THE HELDERBURGER A field guide for residents who keep meaning to get out more and visitors who had no idea this place existed until forty minutes ago Compiled by the Helderburger Leisure, Recreation & Getting-Off-The-Couch Desk The Helderberg Basin — comprising Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay and the assorted mountain passes, wine estates, beaches and…
