Tulbagh and the many reasons to love it

Posted on 15 December 2022

Settled prettily in a fertile basin and encircled by spectacular mountains, Tulbagh is another peach of a heritage town, 90 minutes from Cape Town and a stone’s throw from Ceres and Wolseley. From quirky rubber ducky races to adrenaline sports, outdoor activities, and first-rate cuisine, art, and wine, this bountiful Boland hamlet is one to add to the #localislekker list.

By Allison Foat

Picture: Tulbagh Tourism

Wine & Art

Being an innate part of the Cape Winelands and nurturing several long-established estates cements Tulbagh as a wine destination of note. Saronsberg is in that number, a landmark winery that dates back to the 1700s, like many of its neighbours. The tasting room-come-art gallery opens onto a picturesque setting with tables under the oaks that overlook rolling vineyards, mauve peaks, and a little lake. You’ll find stunning artworks indoors and out, created by legendary South African artists like Colbert Mashile, Walter Battiss and Angus Taylor, whose ‘Lady of the Lake’ sculpture looms graciously at the water’s edge. You can also ‘wine by bike’ by hiring a set of wheels at Vindoux Guest Farm and Spa and cycling to Saronsberg (a five-minute easy pedal) or a number of wine estates within a ten-kilometre radius of Tulbagh. Keep the tippling to a tidy minimum though so you don’t end up in a ditch!

www.saronsberg.co.za | http://vindoux.com/wine-by-bike/

Cuisine

#willtravelforfrenchtoast should be the hashtag moniker for Daphne’s where people have been known to drive from Sea Point for this indulgent carbo brekkie. The stylish eatery, housed in a reimagined parsonage, opened this year and already has a dedicated clientele. Owner David Nicholls, who describes the fare as ‘elevated food that makes people happy’, has devised the menu in consultation with his business partner Arthur Malan-Murison while in the kitchen, Chef Henzene Jamoet executes with aplomb. The décor is on point too, bolstered by David’s private art collection that adorns the walls, showcasing masters such as Dawie du Toit, Gregor Gleiwitz, and Andy Fullalove.

[email protected] | +27 (0) 64 059 2985

The Kitchen Garden

Opposite Daphne’s, at the Tulbagh Kitchen Garden, you can pick your own organic fruit and veg (great if you’re self-catering!) and order a hamper for delivery anywhere between Tulbagh and Muizenberg. The concept was inspired by the Babylonstoren and the Oranjezicht City Farm (they supply them too). Located in a historical row of handsome Cape Dutch houses on Church Street, the gardens are open seven days a week and managed by a small team led by Jayson Augustyn-Clarke and dedicated greenies like Jim Soko, who confesses to being something of a plant whisperer. Various soup kitchens, as far afield as Woodstock, also receive donated produce weekly.

www.boerandblompot.co.za

Shopping local

Gail Schulschenk sells a wide variety of goods in her concept store and deli called MIT- Made In Tulbagh & Surrounds. As the name suggests, she focuses on products sourced locally, in and around the town. From soap made with stout beer to hand-made toys, jewellery, fresh produce bottled goods, and wine glasses upcycled by the talented Ben Louw, also one of the marshals at the recent Duck Race. Ben creates incredible homeware and artwork that Gail will tell you more about when you browse.

https://www.facebook.com/madeintulbagh/

Roosterkoek & coffee

Kole & Deeg on Main Street is a popular breakfast spot – voted by Eat Out as numero uno for the best takeout and desserts- that’s highly rated for baked goods, with roosterkoek the traditional pastry of choice. Comrade Coffee, right next door to MIT was opened a few months ago by the entrepreneurial Kuena Marake and partners. Doors open at 06h30 in summer so grab a smooth flat white and panini before you head out into your Tulbagh day.

http://www.koleendeeg.co.za/ | @comradecoffeeza

Tuk-tuk tours & picnic

If you’re looking for a novel way to arrive at the church on time or to explore the dorp and environs, Sparky and Mo will see you right, the two cherry red tuk-tuks owned and rented out from Wittedrift Manor or Readers Restaurant. Book a guided tour or self-drive, and Carol Collins, the GM at Wittedrift who is also a Silwood-trained chef, will assist with your Itinerary. Things to do include an olive and oil tasting at Oakhurst olives, MCC tasting at Krone or Twee Jonge Gezellen, the wine and art experience at Saronsberg, and a picnic lunch at Oude Compagnies that includes a red wine barrel tasting.

www.wittedriftmanor.com

Ceres zipline

Twenty minutes from Tulbagh in neighbouring Ceres is the best and longest zipline in Africa. Cables of varying lengths (from 100 – 291 metres) with the highest being 40 metres above the ground are strung between the rocky hills formations of the valley. Eight slides make up the 1.4-kilometre adventure and it’s an adrenaline rush for adults and kids alike. The experienced crew is on hand at all times, to check your gear, keep you safe, and do the necessary Insta captures. Open 365 days of the year, this is a fun one for the whole family.

www.ceresadventures.co.za

Stay

Nothing beats a secluded staycation and Raptor Rise guest farm, a few minutes from town, is idyllic. Wake up to hens foraging on the front lawn while in the distance rescue horses graze in lush paddocks backdropped by majestic mountains. Lazy days are spent poolside with your nose in a book and for the more energetic there are numerous hiking, biking and running trails to consider in the vicinity.

Ask at reception if you can try the farm’s cold-pressed Extra Virgin olive oil, yet another fine local product to emerge from this remarkable valley of abundance. All the self-catering units at Raptor Rise are spacious and fitted with top-notch appliances. At capacity, the entire farm can accommodate a total of 32 guests which makes it a prime special-occasion destination.

For the upcoming festive season’s events visit tulbaghtourism.co.za

Pictures: Allison Foat

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