Robertson Tourism Information

Quick Facts: Robertson

• The town of Robertson in the Western Cape Province of South Africa is known as the valley of wine and roses
• Robertson was founded in 1853
• The village of Robertson was named after the Scottish Dutch Reformed Church Minister, Dr William Robertson
• Robertson is situated in the fertile Robertson Valley of South Africa
• Farming and wagon building were the town's original industries
• Agriculture is the mainstay of Robertson's economy
• Robertson features several South African National Monuments
• Pink Church (1859)
• The Museum (1860)
• The Edwardian-style house 12 Piet Retief Street (1904)
• The Victorian-style house 59 Van Reeneen Street (1914)
• Powder House
• Set in the shadow of the majestic Langeberg mountains with the Breede River flowing through Robertson is the western gateway to The Heart of Route 62
• Victorian buildings
• Jacaranda-lined streets
• Beautiful gardens
• The Robertson Wine Valley forms part of the longest wine route in the world: Route 62
• Graham Beck Wine Estate, Roberston
• Springfield Wine Estate, Roberston
• Bon CapWine Estate, Roberston
• Majors Hill, Wine Estate, Roberston
• Excelsior Estate, Wine Estate, Roberston
• Small boutique wineries: Rosendal, Fraai Uitzicht
• Rosendal Winery and Wellness Retreat in Robertson: accommodation, restaurant, spa, wine estate

Distance to Airport: 4 km

Distance to City: 18 km

Introducing Robertson

The Robertson wine valley lies along the Breede River, an hour and a half outside of Cape Town. Cradled in an amphitheatre of mountains formed by the Langeberg and Riviersonderend ranges, Robertson’s wine district encompasses nine wards, including Bonnievale and McGregor. This area forms the western gateway to the Klein Karoo and Route 62 – the country’s longest wine route – and several days should be devoted to exploring (and tasting) this part of the world.

The town of Robertson in the Western Cape Province of South Africa is known as the valley of wine and roses.  Robertson was founded in 1853 and named after the Scottish Dutch Reformed Church Minister, Dr William Robertson.  
Situated in the fertile Robertson Valley of South Africa, farming and wagon building were the town's original industries.

However, after the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899, the wagon building industry ended when the railways took over the transport of all goods. The village of Robertson subsequently became famous for its ostrich farming, but this industry stopped as well shortly after World War I and thus the farmers of the area turned switched to wine and fruit farming.  Several successful racehorse stud farms were established around Roberston at a later stage.  Agriculture remains the mainstay of Robertson's economy.

Robertson features several South African National Monuments including the Pink Church (1859), the Museum (1860), the Edwardian-style house 12 Piet Retief Street (1904), the Victorian-style house 59 Van Reeneen Street (1914) and the Powder House which used as a storage for gunpowder.

Wine Estates in and near Robertson: Wine Route 62

Situated in the shadow of the majestic Langeberg mountains with the Breede River flowing through, the village of Robertson is the western gateway to The Heart of Route 62. With 150 years of history, the town of Robertson has grown into one of the most attractive Cape Wineland towns, with Victorian buildings, jacaranda-lined streets and beautiful gardens.

The Robertson Wine Valley forms part of the longest wine route in the world, which is called the Route 62. Boasting a large number of cellars, co-operatives and private estates, the town's award winning wines are a treat for all wine lovers.

The wine industry in the Robertson valley of the Western Cape Province has grown from less than 25 cellars in 1995 to more than 50 registerd wine cellars. There are several wine cellars which receives the highest awards both locally and internationally.

Robertson wine cellars include:

• Graham Beck Wine Estate, Robertson
• Springfield Wine Estate, Robertson
• Bon CapWine Estate, Robertson
• Majors Hill, Wine Estate, Robertson
• Excelsior Estate, Wine Estate, Robertson

There are also a range of small boutique wineries as Rosendal and Fraai Uitzicht.

Bon Courage Wine Estate

Whitewashed walls and a gabled Cape Dutch homestead stand sentinel on this beautiful estate nestled in the Breede River valley. Their highly acclaimed wines reflect the versatility of the farm’s soil and microclimates. Light meals and teas can be enjoyed beneath the trees at the estate restaurant, Café Maude.
http://www.boncourage.co.za

Excelsior Wine Estate

The De Wet family knows how to make and serve good wine, perhaps because they’ve been doing it for over 300 years.  The restored Cape Dutch homestead is docked in a sea of vines and luxuriously equipped as the Manor Guesthouse.  Wines can be enjoyed in their wooden decked tasting room that overlooks a bird-flecked dam. Visitors also have the opportunity to blend their own bottle of wine.  http://wine.excelsior.co.za
 
Graham Beck Wine Estate

Although Graham Beck farms can be found on other wine routes as well, the combination of Robertson’s warm, dry climate and limestone soils, make this particular farm ideal for the production of Cap Classique and Chardonnay. The tasting room boasts sweeping views of the surrounding Klein Karoo landscape. Graham Beck is located just outside of town where The Robertson Small Hotel can be found.  http://www.grahambeckwines.com

Van Loveren Wine Estate

Van Loveren has become somewhat of a household name in South Africa, and a wine route is incomplete without a visit to this historic cellar and taste of their extensive range. A river of scarlet flowered cannas will lead you here in spring, where you can enjoy wine tastings in the treed garden or embark on the Fish Eagle hiking trail or a bird-watching meander. Don’t miss their famed sweetcorn fritters that accompany wine tastings. http://www.vanloveren.co.za
 
Viljoensdrift Wine Estate

If you stay at The Manor Guesthouse on Excelsior Wine Estate and you’ll be down the road from Viljoensdrift Wine Farm.  This is a rewarding country wine escape that has fully embraced the concept of wine tourism. Not only do they offer a rustic cellar tasting room, but also riverside tasting facilities and river cruises. Swirl and sip on the banks of the Breede River, then pick a bottle of your liking and jump aboard their riverboat for a tranquil cruise.  http://www.viljoensdrift.co.za

Accommodation in and around Robertson, Western Cape  (South Africa)

A variety of accommodation is available to suit all needs, from backpackers to 4 star hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, farm accommodation and many more.  The Rosendal Winery and Wellness Retreat in Robertson offers comfortable accommodation, a restaurant as well as a spa on a working wine cellar.  Other accommodation choices in Robertson include:

• Almondbury Guest Farm
• Ballinderry, The Robertson Guest House
• Birds Paradise Bed and Breakfast
• Die Ou Huis
• Die Poort Guest Cottages
• Eagle's Flight Guesthouse
• Fraai Uitzicht Historic Wine and Guest Farm
• Gubas de Hoek Meet, Eat, Sleep
• Hanepoot Huisies
• Leo Guesthouse
• Little France Guesthouse
• Majors Rest Guest House
• Mallowdeen Gardens
• Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve
• Plumbago Cottages
• Rivierzicht Resort
• Terrace Hill Guesthouse
• The Lemon Tree House
• Tierhoek Cottages
• Van Loveren Farm Cottage.