This charming little town in the middle of wine country offers a laid back lifestyle for its residents.
The centre of a thriving wine valley under the Langeberg mountains, Robertson is a charming small town that has retained the slow pace of times gone by. Capetonians flock to the valley for popular annual events such as the Wacky Wine Weekend and the Slow Food and Wine Festival. There is a steady stream of holiday-makers of all nationalities touring the wine estates, kayaking, rafting and cruising on the Breede River, mountain biking, enjoying adventure sports and exploring the scenic surroundings. Most of the attractions are spread along the valley and the Route 62, and the town itself has a down-to-earth feel underpinned by a friendly local community.
“People are very welcoming, helpful and polite,” says resident Lana Groenewald who manages The Robertson Small Hotel. “When I moved here from the city, life in Robertson took some getting used to. The closest thing to a traffic jam comprises four cars pulling up to a four-way stop simultaneously and everyone courteously waiting for the other to drive first. People make time to share stories. I now enjoy that one has to add 15 minutes to every shopping trip… It’s astonishing how much news one can catch up on in the queue at the bank!”
With jacaranda-lined streets and gardens filled with fruit trees, there’s a country feel to life even beyond the joys of an outdoor lifestyle with fresh local produce and award-winning wines at cellar prices. The traditional leiwater irrigation system still operates: open channels along each street run with water on designated days and everyone takes turns to divert water into their garden. There are plenty of sophisticated pleasures to be enjoyed too, with some excellent restaurants, world-class wines on your doorstep, food artisans selling at farmers’ markets and farmstalls, and a growing olive industry.
I love strolling through the rose and jacaranda-lined streets, admiring the array of quirky mailboxes. The people are genuine and welcoming. Many gardens have fruit trees and it’s not uncommon to see neighbours exchanging fruit, nuts or home-made preserves.
-Lana Groenewald, resident.
Best in food:
- Fraai Uitzicht: for beautiful views and excellent food
- The Small Restaurant at the Robertson Small Hotel
- Lady Grey Restaurant with panoramic views of the valley
- Four Cousins: for lunch in town
- Saggy Stone: for craft beers and pizza
Things to do:
- Owl’s Rest Lavender Farm
- Marbrin Olive Farm
- Wolfkloof Winery Food Night Market
- Clairvaux: for Rialheim ceramics
- Viljoensdrift Winery: for a picnic on the boat
Wine estates to visit:
- Springfield
- Graham Beck
- Van Loveren Family Wines
- De Wetshof Estate
- Rietvallei Wine Estate
Agent commentary on the Robertson area
What do you love about the Robertson area?
It’s the proverbial small town, big heart place, only about a 90-minute drive from Cape Town if you feel the need to citify. The bucolic lifestyle includes glorious wine estates, walking and cycling, the Breede River, with leisure cruises and canoeing, water-skiing and adventure kayaking. Golfers have a spectacular course on a top-class estate, and aviation and skydiving enthusiasts have a country airfield with an extra-long paved runway. In spring, streets bloom purple with jacaranda trees, and gardens and orchards blossom pink and white. A dry, hot and sunny summer follows, then autumn in splendid arrays of reds and golds and finally winter with cool, crisp days and frosty nights.
Lorraine Frames: Prime Landmark
How would you spend a free day in the Robertson area?
Robertson is one the best weekend and holiday escapes. It’s surrounded by vineyards and renowned for its wine farms, stud farms, roses and, of course, outdoor pursuits. It has the lovely Breede River with a host of water sports, plus hiking and cycling including mountain biking with excellent natural indulgences including nearby nature reserves. The village also has an excellent selection of restaurants, diners and wine shops, and you can escape to clean air and healthy, relaxed living. It’s renowned for its wine festivals that happen throughout the year, including the Wacky Wine Festival that usually takes place in early June and draws scores of visitors.
Polla van Wyk: Seeff Robertson
Best things about Robertson for families?
Robertson is a beautiful little town in the heart of the Breede River Valley, also known as the valley of wine and roses. Surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges, this safe and well managed town is the ideal place for those looking for a high quality of life. A vibrant young community as well as a more settled generation provides a healthy balance for newcomers to settle into. The growing tourist industry and a stable farming community provides attractive business opportunities. Robertson offers a lot of outdoors activities: hiking and mountain bike trails, horse riding, a nature reserve for bird-watching, river cruises and picnics, river rafting, camping, and parachute jumping.
Mardi Botha: Chas Everitt Robertson
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.