By Marlize de Villiers
Stellenbosch is home to some of the oldest and most acclaimed wine farms in South Africa, and the area attracts wine connoisseurs and novices alike. While a visit to a winery is a wonderful excursion, limitations on time and travel can make a trip a challenge. The solution is as simple as a meander down the streets of Stellenbosch, where a selection of wine bars presents the tasting experience in an accessible, enjoyable and convenient manner.
We explore a few of these establishments and what they have to offer.
Bartinney Wine and Champagne Bar
The menu at Bartinney Wine and Champagne Bar, the original wine bar in Stellenbosch, includes wines from the estate, a few beers, some imported champagne and light snacks. The décor is in character of the sustainability focus of the farm, with reclaimed ship wood chairs, a beautiful chandelier made from Chardonnay vines and fynbos plants enhancing the experience.
Qbar by Quoin Rock
Just around the corner, in the charming De Wet Centre Courtyard, Qbar by Quoin Rock presents the wines from three wine farms that fall under the Quoin Rock umbrella. Apart from the wines from Quoin Rock itself, the adjacent Knorhoek farm and Boskloof in Agulhas, Qbar offers cocktails and delicious tapas. Qbar is also a popular destination for pre-dinner and after dinner drinks.
Stellenbosch Wine Bar
Rust en Vrede recently opened a new wine bar on the corner of Andringa and Church Streets, simply called Stellenbosch Wine Bar. It offers informal Mediterranean style food, complemented by a choice of wines to suit every palette and budget. While the interior is light, open and more spacious than most other wine bars, the charm is found in the outdoor seating, under the signature Stellenbosch oak trees.
Hawk + Schoon
Co-owner and baker at the well-known Schoon Bakery, Fritz Schoon, and his best friend Henk Kotze shares a love for fine wine. From this mutual passion the Hawk + Schoon wine bar was born. The wines on offer are personally selected by Fritz and Henk, and the wine menu changes weekly. The wine bar also hosts wine-and-steak nights, quiz nights, and other events – all for the love of wine.
