A history of the valley.

The villages of Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel shelter beneath the eastern slopes of the Kasteelberg (Castle Mountain) named for Jan van Riebeeck's castle in Cape Town 85 kms to the south west. He had been sent to the southern tip of Africa in 1652, by the Here's XVII in Holland, to establish a victualling station for the ships of the Dutch East India Company plying their trade between Holland and the East Indies. The Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Diaz had discovered the
Cape of Good Hope years earlier, but until van Riebeeck's arrival, no Europeans had settled there.

The first inhabitants of this beautiful valley were the Khoi (hunter gatherers) and the first white men to settle here were Dutch, who were later joined by French Huguenots. Over the years much experimentation was done in terms of the crops planted, and today finds some of South Africa's best Shiraz wines being produced here on our doorstep - hence the “Welcome to Shiraz Country” slogan you see as you enter the Valley.
Olives, their oils and other products such as delicious pork, grapes and nectarines are also
greatly enjoyed and prized by locals and visitors alike.

Ideal location.

The situation 80 odd kms from Cape Town and its International Airport makes it an ideal spot to use as a base while being blissfully away from it all in the countryside.

It is ideally situated for day trips to Hermanus on the India Ocean via Franschhoek and returning along the coast road to Gordon's Bay and on home through Stellenbosch and Paarl with their outstanding old buildings.

Another day trip is Darling, with a visit to Pieter Dirk Uys's Evita's Perron, then up the West Coast road to Langebaan and Paternoster and home via Hopefield and Morreesburg.

The drive to Wellington and the Bain's Kloof Pass to Ceres is another delightful one. Cherry picking at Klondyk in late November and early December is sheer bliss!!!  The view over the extinct volcano crater from the Gydo pass is spectacular and the return drive can include the lovely historic town of Tulbagh with it's beautiful old Cape Dutch houses (not to mention their delicious wines and splendid restaurants!)

Another worthwhile excursion is to go through the little village of Porterville, over the Pikeniers Pass to Clanwilliam and then down to Lambert's Bay for a yummy seafood feast at the Muisbosskerm - an open air restaurant right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. What an experience - both scenically and gastronomically!

Things to do.

There are all sorts of pastimes right on the doorstep -– apart form eating and drinking. The closest golf course is in Malmesbury, but the one at Wellington is only marginally further away. Also on offer are Game drives on a world heritage property (where the re-introduction of the extinct quagga is taking place as well as part of the buffalo project – magnificent in the spring – God’s garden – just remember his nagging little gifts of midges!), 4X4 drives, quad biking, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, flowers in the spring, birding - the list is endless.

And don't forget the wine tasting! There are 6 cellars situated within our Valley. Allesverloren (one of the earliest wine estates in South Africa, and world renowned for its delicious Port, is our neighbour on the Southern boundary of the property.

Pulpit Rock about 3 kms to the North of us, only opened in 2004, but is very busy building a reputation for winning awards.

The Riebeek Cellars offers a wide variety of wines to suit any pocket. They also have a range of wines celebrating the harvests of outstanding wine farmers called “a Few Good Men”. One could happily take some of them home with you!

Het Vlok Kasteel A newish cellar in Riebeek Kasteel  in terms of wines, but well established for delicious olive oils and other stunning products produced from their own orchards and  vineyards.  Ansie  Vlok does tours through the same during harvest time - by prior arrangement -  and most informative olive oil tastings.

Kloovenburg wine estate offers a double whammy - their award winning wines and olive oils. Both bring home the spoils every year, and make the most welcome presents for friends and family at home. The cool shade of their lovely tasting venue is a delight on hot summer days.

Meerhof, has a unique aspect from their tasting room you can look out over our beautiful valley and in the other direction is Table Mountain. Talk about the best of both worlds!

Other Young wineries  and some with older connections  are also  establishing themselves in and around our Valley , so watch this space (and the Platter guide) in the future!!

One of South Africa's reknowned quilters lives right here in the valley - so ladies - perhaps this could do it for you...

Shopping experiences abound!!!! – from antiques to organics – ask and you will be directed!!!

Try your hand at beading with Dorothy at the Fat Green Frog.  She has THE most exquisite beads imported from all over the world.  She advises men to learn to cook for themselves if their partners
are looking to taking beading up as a hobby!

Beautiful gardens abound, both on local farms and in the villages- some 'fyntuin', others are more into indigineous and waterwise. We have a wonderful nursery as our neighbour on three sides of the property.