OnTap Magazine

ON THE HOP SEE AND DO One of the things I love most about Robertson is its range of family-friendly activities. ere are birds galore and a small petting farm at Birds Paradise , numerous places to try some beginner horseback riding and a donkey sanctuary out in McGregor. Even the wineries are kid-friendly - take a gentle boat trip down the river starting from Viljoensdrift winery or sign the little ones up for a cute candy and juice pairing at Van Loveren . Grownups should try Excelsior for the blend-your-own experience, Graham Beck for a glamorous setting to sip bubbly or Spring eld for a cellar tour and tasting and some time just relaxing on the riverbank. If you need to walk o all the wine, there are short hiking trails in the Pat Busch Nature Reserve and Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve or for something more challenging try the overnight Arrangieskop Trail. Leaving from the Dassieshoek Nature Reserv e, it was once described as “the Kilimanjaro of the Western Cape”. EAT e Robertson Valley is known for its olives and you can join a tasting at Marbrin Olives or Owl’s Products . If you’re looking for breakfast or co ee, the unassuming Strictly Co ee on the R60 is highly recommended. Nearby Café Rosa is perfect for an al fresco lunch and many of the wineries also make great lunch stops. DRINK In Robertson itself, Boet Beer is based at the Four Cousins restaurant. Following the family- friendly theme, little ones can join a juice tasting while you sample the beers. Once you’ve picked a pint, enjoy it with a burger in the restaurant or take it out to the garden where the kids can clamber on tractors. Robertson’s largest and best known microbrewery is Saggy Stone Brewing Co. Started in a garage on the family farm in 2011, the brewery has grown from a makeshift system to a sizable setup of shiny stainless steel tanks. e beers are available around Cape Town and of course in the Robertson region, but there is no better place to sample them than at the farm itself. You can’t visit the actual brewery these days, but beers from the core range, as well as the latest small batch brew – are on tap at the convivial pub. Also on o er: local live bands, excellent wood- red pizza and an epic kids’ play area. e only real problem is dragging yourself away. SLEEP As luck would have it, you don’t need to drag yourself far as there are cottages at Amandalia Farm – home to Saggy Stone’s brewery and pub. Book well ahead as the weekends ll up fast. It might be because of the glorious and peaceful surrounds, the fact that the cottages are spaced out with plenty of room to roam or because each one has its own wood- red hot tub on the deck. Or it might be because people know that if you’re spending the afternoon at Saggy Stone’s pub, you don’t want to have to argue over who gets the role of designated driver when it’s time to go home. ROBERTSON Would you want to leave this spot? Juice and candy tasting at Four Cousins A dam fine view: cottages on Amandalia farm, home to Saggy Stone You can buy a picnic from Viljoensdrift to enjoy on the river cruise Chilling on the river When you pass through the gates at Amandalia farm, keep an eye out for Lone Ranger, a semi- tame wildebeest 46 | Summer 2020 | ontapmag.co.za