Solms-Delta Wine Estate - nr Franschhoek, Cape Winelands

Solms-Delta Wine Estate is located near Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands and is a destination irrespective of the season. Picnic in its magical forest, dine at the renowned Fyndraai restaurant, join in on the festivities at the annual harvest festival, delve into the history of the cape and its slave heritage at the Solms-Delta Museum van de Caab and enjoy six special interest guided wine estate tours that exceed all conventional wine tasting experiences. And all of this at the Solms-Delta Wine Estate, a leading wine farm just 15kms outside of Franschhoek.

The 320-year-old estate has been run by world-renowned neuroscientist Professor Mark Solms since 2002 when he returned to his home South Africa. His plan was to to revitalise the historic Delta wine estate and to rethink Cape wine-making traditions in the process. Solms re-established the vineyards and cellars and brought the legacy of his European forebears, who had settled in the Cape six generations before, to light. Today Solms-Delta produces a range wines that delivers a new, uniquely South African style. They are classical wines with a difference, offering a cascade of tastes and styles, all with a distinctive sense of place.

The estate has pre-packed picnics available, made at their restaurant Fyndraai by chef Shaun Schoeman and his team. A personal guide will carry your basket and blanket and assist in selecting a quiet spot on the forested banks of the Dwars River or overlooking the private Solms lake. Solms wines, soft drinks or Solms-Delta Vogelvrij Spring Water bottled at source on the estate is also included in each basket. A picnic in the Cape Winelands is a truly memorable experience.

Set on a glass floor above the archaeological substructure of a 1740 wine cellar to the innovative menu of traditional Cape Food, Fyndraai Restaurant is dining experience not to be missed. The restaurant offers a modern take on traditional Cape cuisine whilst showcasing the history of the area, uniting European, Asian and African flavours to produce something truly remarkable. Fyndraai is open seven days a week from 9:00 to 17:00. From 10:00 to 12:00 drinks and snacks only are served, from 12:00 to 17:00 lunch is served (kitchen closes 4pm).

Oesfees is the Harvest Festival, celebrated in autumn to give thanks for the grape harvest. Solms-Delta creates a vibrant atmosphere complete with local music and dancing and traditional Cape food.

The Museum van de Caab (from the Cape) on the Solms-Delta Wine Estate tells the story of Delta farm, a story that is typical of so many of the old farms in the Drakenstein Valley. The museum is open seven days a week. Sunday and Monday from 9:00 to 17:00 and Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00. Admission and a museum tour is free of charge.

The estate also boasts a number of different tours which in themselves are popular worldwide. Cape Food and Wine Pairing Tour, History, Archaeology and Wine Tour Social History and Wine Tour, Cape Music and Wine Tour, Natural Heritage and Wine Tour, Vineyards, Cellar and Wine Tour, Fun Farm Walk & Wine. All of which include wine tasting. Please note that walking tours will be shortened or cancelled if the weather is unsuitable. The walking tours are easy walking, but visitors will be strolling over muddy and uneven ground, so appropriate footwear is advised. Wear hats and sunscreen in summer and warm, rainproof coats in winter. Tours may be booked for Mondays to Sundays between 9.00 and 15.30. Advance booking is required.

And that only scratches the surface on what is to offer at Solms-Delta Wine Estate, so make a call, book your holiday and come and dig a little deeper into this inspiring piece of the Franschhoek Valley.

Contact details for the Solms-Delta Wine Estate:
Phone: +27 (0)21 874 3937
Email: info@solms-delta.co.za
Website:www.solms-delta.co.za
Address: Delta Road, off the R45, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek, 7680, South Africa