OnTap Magazine

Once you arrive at Cascades Country Manor, there's a solid chance you won't want to leave. PAARL SEE AND DO e obvious attraction of visiting Paarl is the wineries.Top of the pile for visitors is Spice Route , with its collection of artisanal suppliers o ering tutored tastings of wine, chocolate, charcuterie, ice cream and of course, beer. e cheese tasting at Fairview , next door, is also a favourite and kids are easily entertained at both farms. If keeping little ones occupied is a priority, carry on along the Suid-Agter-Paarl Road towards Wellington and check out e Alpaca Loom with its petting farm. You can even take one of the alpacas for a walk along an obstacle course! If walking is your thing, there are hikes ranging from 1.5km to 12km in the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve , or take a gentle stroll through the magni cent gardens at Babylonstoren . e elegant estate is more about vistas than viniculture, but it sits squarely in wine-tasting country, with half-a-dozen wineries on the Simondium Road alone. Finish it all o with a little history lesson and a photo opportunity at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre (formerly the Victor Verster Prison), where Nelson Mandela emerged a free man in 1990. EAT Most of the wine farms have restaurants, with some particularly decadent options at Glen Carlou and Backsberg . Top of the pile though is Faber , based at Avondale. e farm is known for its organic wines and bio-dynamic farming methods while the restaurant serves exceptional ne dining cuisine in unstu y surrounds. DRINK Although long known for wine, Paarl is increasingly becoming a beer destination as well. e most famous brewery is Cape Brewing Company , better known as CBC. Based at Spice Route, the brewery is open daily for casual but informative tastings. Once you’ve picked your favourite you can order a pint with lunch at the Barley & Biltong restaurant next door. Perhaps lesswell known is BergRiverBrewery , although they too have been in business for years. eir steam punk taproom in an industrial area just north of Paarl has a loyal local following who visit for the German style beers and regular live music. My personal pick was the Helles – perfect on a sweltering summer’s day in Paarl. South of Paarl, deep in wine territory, is Soul Barrel Brewing . Run by American ex-pat Nick Smith, the brewery is in part known for hoppy American style IPAs, but Nick is also a cheerleader for all things local. Cape Cone IPAuses only South African hops, while Live Culture is a seasonal beer that is wild fermented using yeast harvested from the local environment. Sample the range in Soul Barrel’s atmospheric tasting room, where Nick is usually around to talk you through his brews. SLEEP One of the most charming places to stay in Paarl – if not the entire Winelands region – is Cascades Country Manor, a member of Cape Country Routes. e owner-managed hotel kind of has it all – friendly, personal service, beautiful rooms, hearty, home-cooked food, a kids’ jungle gym and an on-site spa. ere’s a real emphasis on relaxation and you’ll likely spend much of your time outdoors. A short stroll through olive groves takes you to the waterfall or you could carry on into the mountains, past buchu plantations and a large dam that’s great for a bracing swim. And the hotel is only a 15 minute drive to the nearest microbrewery… If you fancy a camping trip, Berg River Resort has pleasant sites for campers and caravaners as well as simple chalets. Based on the banks of the river, it’s a pretty if not always peaceful place, with lots to do for families. CAPE COUNTRY ROUTES It was established back in 1997, but never has the premise of Cape Country Routes been more relevant. In a year where tourism has taken a colossal hit, any way to cross-promote and lure people to your region is essential. Cape Country Routes lists select accommodation and activities from Cape Town to PE, encouraging people to support local tourism initiatives. Check them out at capecountryroutes.com. Hiking at Cascades Country Manor A triumphant Mandela statue marks the spot where he finally walked to freedom Decision time at Berg River Brewery A peek into Soul Barrel's atmospheric taproom ontapmag.co.za | Summer 2020 | 45