Wildflowers and wine
How to get there:
Take a leisurely 90 minute drive from Cape Town along the R27, the West Coast Highway. The highway is flanked by the West Coast National Park and quaint seaside villages. At this time of year, you will see bursts of colour as the wildflowers are in bloom. We stopped at the West Coast Farmstall in Yzerfontein for a hearty breakfast. A popular pitstop for holidaymakers and locals alike, this farmstall boasts local trinkets as well as delicious food and wine for purchase.
What to do: While other wine routes in the Cape region are more popular and commercial, I love the understated simplicity of the Darling Wine Route. Take a turn off the R27 onto a dirt road that takes you through fields of gorgeous arum lilies and daisies before arriving at Groote Post Winery. This winery is particularly well known for their exceptional white wines due to the cool climate and proximity to the sea. We enjoyed a cozy wine tasting in the stately homestead and learnt about the history of the dairy farmers who started the wine farm. Visitors in summer months can enjoy wine and cheese pairings on the verandah with spectacular views! Darling Cellars is another must to visit and a brand that is popular with the South African wine drinking population. Situated 15 minutes from Darling, they offer 8 wine tastings for R20 and with the wide variety of wines under this label, you will be spoilt for choice. My personal favourite winery is Ormonde and with their portfolio of award-winning wines and delicious sharing platters, you cannot go wrong. With a central location in Darling, many locals visit on the weekends and enjoy their platters and wine tasting, while the kids frolic in the gardens and play on the jungle gyms. For those with a sweet tooth, the Darling Sweet Shop is a must. The old fashioned toffees are produced onsite in the factory and include an assortment of flavours to indulge in, from mocha java to ginger and cardamom, or salted caramels. We bought a few as souvenirs to take home!
Where to stay: Daisy Darling is a charming, 3-bedroomed bed and breakfast situated on the quiet end of Main Road. Dave and Fran are exceptional hosts and welcome you into their home as if it were your own. They even have an "Evita's Sweet Suite" for those who would like an immersive cultural experience! Enjoy a glass of port or local wine snuggled up in front of the fire on a cold winter's night or take a dip in the splash pool on hot summer afternoons. Their central location also provides a perfect base from which to explore the area.
I am looking forward to my next trip in the summer which will include a visit to the Darling Brewery and Darling Olives - stay tuned!