Spice Route Destination

Oak trees, glorious views and many layers of exploration for all the family.

On the slopes of Paarl Mountain, with lush lawns, old oak trees and wide valley views stretching as far as Table Mountain, Spice Route Destination is cram-packed with artisanal tastes and active pursuits for kids of all ages; somewhere the whole family will keep going back to. One visit simply isn’t enough to do justice to this one-stop playground.

1. A passport to artisanal tastings

Explore at your own pace with the Spice Route Passport, a pocket-size booklet which takes you on a tasting journey through CBC premium beers, Wilderer spirits and Spice Route wines, paired with a Jewell’s charcuterie tasting plate. The passport is valid for a year, so you really can take as much time as you like for each tasting.
Cost R290
Contact 021 863 5200, info@spiceroute.co.za

2. Jewell’s

A farm-to-table feast from charcuterie whizz Neil Jewell is a must for those who prize good food made properly. As you’d expect, only the best ingredients go into producing the seasonal dishes: vegetables and herbs from Spice Route’s surrounding farmland and organic Red Angus beef from Charles Back’s herd. Add warm service and spectacular views, and the restaurant certainly lives up to its name.
Opening times Wednesday – Sunday, 11.30am – 4pm
Contact 021 204 4875, jewells@spiceroute.co.za
BOOK THROUGH DINEPLAN

3. La Grapperia

Tuck into a selection of wood-fired, thin-based pizzas and a variety of other family-friendly food options at this casual German and Italian eatery, while enjoying a glass or two of Wilderer Distillery’s award-winning gin and tonic. While relaxing under the trees, with the little ones occupied in the nearby playground, linger a bit longer and watch the sky turn a few shades of pink as the sun dips behind the mountain. They do picnics too, and sundowner drinks at their beach bar.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 11am – 10pm (summer)
Sunday, 11am – 6pm
Contact 021 863 4367, grapperia@wilderer.co.za
ENQUIRE NOW

4. Ristorante Pasta Pasta

Enjoy breakfast and lunch with authentic Italian flavours (pasta cravings satisfied) at this charming small trattoria from the Wilderer team. With red-check tablecloths, and tables spilling out into the enclosed courtyard, it’s got la dolce vita covered in rustic farm style.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 11.30am – 10.30pm
Contact 021 863 4367, pastapasta@wilderer.co.za
ENQUIRE NOW

5. Wilderer Distillery

Building on the legacy of master distiller Helmut Wilderer, whose award-winning grappa and eau de vie (schnapps) paved the way, this lovely distillery still produces world-class spirits. In the safe hands of his son Christian Wilderer, the distillery caters for pop-ins as well as tastings from R60. Look out for Cape Healing Herb Bitter, a gold-medal-winning, naturally produced local liqueur using over 30 fynbos herbs, including buchu, betulina, rooibos, devil’s claw and African wormwood.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Contact 021 863 4367, info@wilderer.co.za
ENQUIRE NOW

6. Spice Route Wine-Tasting Room

As its name implies, Spice Route Wines recalls the ancient mariners of the 15th century who braved the Cape of Storms in search of exotic spices. Charles Back opened the winery in 1997, inspired by an old Swartland tobacco farm called Klein Amoskuil, where he saw the potential for a new breed of hand-crafted wines. When it comes to wine-tasting, there are four options: Winemaker’s Journey (R75) and Wine and Charcuterie Journey or Wine and Vegetarian Journey (R120, including pairings) and a dessert-and-wine pairing (R150). If it’s chilly outside, head to the cosy underground tasting room, but if it’s a beautiful day, enjoy your wine under the pergola, or on the expansive lawns.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Contact 021 863 5200, tasting@spiceroute.co.za
ENQUIRE NOW

7. The Cape Brewing Company

The Cape Brewery Company (CBC) produces a wide range of craft beers under the watchful eye of skilled brewmaster Wolfgang Koedel – who insists on using only the finest ingredients and state-of-the-art equipment. Aficionados can view the facilities, watch the entire production process and taste it immediately after – either on tap or at the tasting stations. There are four core brews: pilsner, lager, Krystal Weiss and Amber Weiss made using crystal-clear water from a nearby spring in the Paarl mountain. Choose between tasting four beers (R60) or eight (R85) before you decide which (and how many) crates to take home with you!
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm (last tasting at 4.30pm)
Contact 021 863 2270, info@capebrewing.co.za
ENQUIRE NOW

8. Mountain trails

Work up your appetites on the scenic mountain trails above and around the farm on Paarl Rock Mountain. Managed by Paarl Adventure Trails, they range from gentle 2.5km hikes to exhilarating 35km mountain-biking trails.
Good to know Pay for your day permit with Snapscan at the start of the trails, online, or by credit card at the Information Centre.
Cost Day permit: R80 – R100
Winelands Regional Pass: R1 800 (adults); R1 400 (children under 18)
Opening times Trails: Monday – Sunday, sunrise – sunset
Information Centre: Monday – Sunday, 8am – 5pm
Contact info@paarladventuretrails.co.za

9. Spies Route adventure

A must-do for the entire family is this mission for budding sleuths and would-be 007s. Part treasure hunt, part escape-room clue-solving, the Spies Route game takes you rushing around the grounds, as you go undercover to solve clues in a top-secret adventure, tracking down the mystery of the rogue spy. Tackled in groups of four, it’s rated for kids 12 and older without supervision, but younger kids will have a ball with their parents along for the ride. It’s an ideal challenge for a birthday activity, when it can be paired with the kids’ party passport covering lunch and dessert.
Good to know Booking is advised. Clues and instructions are written in English.
Duration 45 minutes
Cost R80 per person

10. Ceramics painting

Spend a colourful morning painting ceramics at Môigoeters Creative Studio, choosing a piece from salad bowl to mug and everything in between, after which they’ll be glazed and fired for you to collect at a later date.
Opening times Tuesday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 076 599 6502, info@moigoeters.com

11. The Trading Company

No visit to Spice Route Destination would be complete without popping into Abigail Bisogno’s gorgeous Trading Company. Abby (co-owner of Spice Route) has created a shop filled with exciting treasures – from handmade, limited-edition pieces by well-known local artists to bespoke homeware, exotic cushions and table linen, jewellery, stationery, and much, much more. Most of the products are made from natural materials and all the décor in the store has been handmade locally or spruced up by local craftsmen. With its mix of old and new, it’s a quirky treasure trove where you’re sure to find the ideal gift for anyone and everyone you know.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm.
Contact 021 201 6917, abigailbisogno@gmail.com

12. Brendas

Foodie extraordinaire Brenda de Jager has turned her passion for all things edible into a business that makes preservative- and additive-free jams, preserves, pickles and glazes. The enticing store is a delightful treasure trove emanating the warm fragrance of spices, where you can even blend your own spice mixes for enticing curries and tagines.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Contact 021 863 3392, info@brendas.co.za

13. Lucky Bamboo

Owner Suki Tong has created a tranquil space filled with greenery – a lifestyle shop dedicated to all things green, gorgeous and gift-worthy. Stems of lucky bamboo in beautiful vessels are designed to show off this plant’s fascinating contours and foliage, alongside Chinese money plants, money trees, golden coin daisies, philodendrons and other flora with good positive energy.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 079 559 9733, suki@redeggblog.com

14. Beauty is Life

Take some time out for pampering and beauty treatments with Elzette Calitz. Pedis and manis, waxing, facials and massages are just a few of the treatments on offer.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, by appointment only
Contact 082 726 6514, elzettecalitz@icloud.com

15. Nigiro Tea at the Spice Route

If you already love tea, you’ll know Mingwe Tsai from his magical Southern Suburbs tea emporium. Now he’s bringing tea appreciation, culture and his tea-blending mastery to the Winelands with up to 120 different blends available. And he’s planning a custom table called the Tea Compass Fountain for an exceptional tea experience.
Opening September 2023
Opening times Monday – Sunday 10am – 5pm
Contact 021 863 5200

Besides all this there are two extensive playgrounds to explore and plenty of open lawns and paths, where kids can work off any superfluous steam. A delicious mix of pleasure for all the family couldn’t be easier at Spice Route Destination every day of the week.
Contact 021 863 5200, info@spiceroute.co.za
Where to find it Spice Route Destination, Suid Agter Paarl Road, Paarl