Weekends are for discovery and relaxing. What better activity than wine tasting in Hermanus? There is always a new winery – or at least a new wine – to discover. With my wine enthusiast sister arriving for the winter weekend I planned a trip down Hemel-en-Aarde with a stop at 3 cellars. Each offering something different. We started at Newton Johnson for a taste of their award winning Pinot Noir and gladly accepted a glass of recently released 2017 Full Stop Rock, a robust blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Full Stop Rock is a wine to ward off winter chills.

Next up was Bosmans Hermanus. Their tasting room – The Framehouse- only opened on 12 December 2017 but presents the ultimate tranquility and relaxation with good wine tasting options. It feels like a luxury camping experience. We soaked away in canvas chairs while Watson, the barista, served Americanos to sober things up before crossing the bridge over De Bos Dam back to the Hemel-en-Aarde road.

Last stop was Bouchard Finlayson for art viewing and a small sip of Galpin Peak Pinot Noir. This Pinot is a show stopper and very use to the limelight. The recent arts festival, Hermanus FynArts, hosted a tondo competition at Bouchard Finlayson and these round works of art were still decorating the barrel heads.