Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate is a stunning winery located in the Walker Bay region between Hermanus and Cape Town. With its prime location and breathtaking views of the Bot River Lagoon, the estate offers an unforgettable wine tasting experience that is sure to leave wine lovers impressed. From being child-friendly to a pet-friendly estate, Benguela Cove is most definitely a destination fit for the whole family.
The estate is home to a range of award-winning wines, all 100% estate grown, bottled and produced on the estate. The unique climatic conditions and the different soil types gives them the opportunity to produce different types of wines which includes from Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Pinot Noir to Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
The wine making philosophy is based on producing site specific wines, wines that are authentic and show off the cool maritime influence of the Atlantic in the glass.
CELLAR TOUR
Benguela Cove’s wine cellar is equipped with state-of-the-art winemaking equipment, which allows for the production of high-quality wines. From modern stainless steel tanks, which are temperature-controlled to ensure optimal fermentation conditions to aging in French oak barrels. A wine cellar where rustic meets charm with crystal chandeliers to add a touch of elegance.
Along the way, insights are shared into the estate’s winemaking philosophy and the unique characteristics of the terroir that gives Benguela Cove wines their distinctive flavour profiles. Only Pinot Noir undergoes punch downs during fermentation, while other varietals are subjected to pump overs. Other impressive winemaking equipment is the press machine for white wines and the super fancy basket press for the red wines to extract the juice.
Benguela Cove’s state-of-the-art winemaking equipment plays a crucial role in the production of their award-winning wines. The estate’s commitment to using the latest technology and equipment ensures that their wines consistently meet the highest standards of quality and taste.
One of the highlights of the cellar tour is to see how the estate’s Cap Classique is bottled. Cap Classique is South Africa’s answer to Champagne, and the estate’s Cap Classique is made using the traditional method, which involves a second fermentation in the bottle.
After the second fermentation, it spends time on the lees for a period of time when bubbles start to develop. This results in complexity, finesse and elegance to the aroma and flavour. It’s so impressive to see the disgorging process, where the sediment is removed from the bottle, leaving behind the clear, sparkling wine.
Cap Classique is a fine art. From grape to glass the entire process of producing Cap Classique is very labour-intensive and relies on meticulous attention to detail and dedication, precision timing and plenty of patience. The Benguela Cove Cuvée58 spends about 16 months on the lees and Benguela Cove Joie De Vivre about 36 months.
The cellar tour gives visitors the opportunity to appreciate the fruits of the winemaking process. The Benguela Cove Wine Estate cellar tour is a fascinating and educational experience that provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of the art and science of winemaking.
WINE TASTING
Experience and Explore Exceptional Excellence is what Benguela Cove is known for. Named the Best Cellar Door Experience by Tim Atkin, it’s a wine tasting experience not to miss out on.
Benguela Cove Wine Estate’s luxurious Tasting Room boasts a modern and elegant design, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing stunning views of the lagoon and impressive art sculptures created by Anton Smit. The Tasting Room is furnished with comfortable leather chairs and couches, creating a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. The estate’s knowledgeable and friendly staff are on hand to guide guests through the wine-tasting process, sharing insights into the estate’s winemaking philosophy and the unique characteristics of each wine.
The tasting menu features a selection of the estate’s award-winning wines, as well as limited-edition and exclusive wines only available at the estate. With its luxurious ambiance and exceptional wine selection, the Benguela Cove Wine Estate tasting room is a must-visit for wine enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable experience.
Opt between their Flagship Wine Tasting or their Cap Classique Tasting or indulge in a Food and Wine Pairing:
Oyster and Wine Pairing
Chocolate and Wine Pairing
Cheese and Wine Pairing
Charcuterie and Wine Pairing
Dessert and Wine Pairing
Gourmet Tasting Menu Experience
Sauvignon Blanc 2020
A single-vineyard wine with beautiful aromas of guava, lemon and candied pineapple are chiselled with hints of floral and fynbos notes. A flinty character persists to balance the creaminess, adding to the depth and character of this wine. Matured in french oak barrels for 10 months.
Vinography Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Semillon adds a bouquet of white peaches, nectarines and herbs while the vibrancy of the Sauvignon Blanc is followed by notes of apple and lemon zest. Matured in older barrels for 10 months. A stunning wine with a lovely mouthfeel.
Benguela Cove Chardonnay 2022
This wine displays peach and melon aromas and generously follows through on the palate. Met with fresh acidity, a gentle creaminess also envelops the palate, trailed with citrus zest, and a toasty finish . The mineral structure cuts through the textured mouthfeel leaving a fresh, clean finish. This wine, packed with character, is best explained as a wine of refined complexity. Spent 11 months in new French oak barrels.
Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Ripe red fruits on the nose that follows through on the palate. Sweet notes of violets and hints of dried vanilla pods with nuances of tobacco and dried tomato leave adding to the layers of complexity of this elegant wine. The robust structure and expressive nose is balanced by well-integrated tannins and a lasting finish. Matured in barrels for 20 months.
Benguela Cove Collage 2019
This Bordeaux-style blend represents elegance. As the name suggests, this blend is an artwork, representing the diversity of the estate in its broad spectrum of aromatics, structure and?colour, delivering on depth and complexity. A blend that consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec & Petit Verdot. Rich aromas of plum, marzipan and?liquorice?are wrapped in cool nuances of cigar leaves, cedar and dried herbs. Well knitted tannins are trailed with vivacious fruits, leaving you wanting more.? ?
THE MOODY LAGOON
In addition to wine tasting, guests can also indulge in a delicious lunch at The Moody Lagoon Restaurant, which is located on the estate. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, including fresh seafood and organic produce. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list, which includes Benguela Cove’s own wines as well as other award-winning South African wines.
The Moody Lagoon restaurant offers diners a unique and unforgettable experience. From the stunning views of the lagoon and surrounding vineyards to the exquisite cuisine and stylish decor, the restaurant is sure to impress.
The name “The Moody Lagoon” is derived from the restaurant’s location at Benguela Cove, which overlooks the tranquil waters of the Bot River Lagoon. The lagoon’s name is believed to have been inspired by the moody and ever-changing nature of its waters, which can range from calm and serene to choppy and turbulent depending on the weather conditions. The restaurant’s name is a nod to this unique and beautiful natural feature that surrounds it, and perfectly captures the mood and atmosphere of the dining experience it offers.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the serene beauty of the lagoon and the lush greenery of the vineyards. The restaurant’s outdoor seating area offers a prime spot to take in these breathtaking views while savouring a glass of bubbly.
The interior of the restaurant is just as impressive. The decor is sleek and modern, with a nod to the natural surroundings through the use of warm wooden accents and soft lighting. The design creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for an intimate dinner or brunch or a celebration with friends and family.
The restaurant’s menu boasts a range of dishes that showcase the best of South African cuisine, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Starters include dishes like smoked venison tartare and mizo glazed octopus. For mains, diners can choose from a variety of options including fresh local fish served with sweet corn and thyme purée, basil pesto, toasted mielie brood, charred corn and fennel salsa, and a la grecque pickled Shimeji mushrooms, as well as blackened beef sirloin, white miso caramelised onions, boulangère potatoes, textures of cauliflower, crispy chevin, pak choi, shiitake mushrooms and beef jus. Vegetarian options are also available.
The highlight is a sinful yet playful dessert of baked chocolate made with malt beer, beurre noisette that is topped with caramelised brown-sugar ice cream, toasted marshmallow, smoked milk jelly and pop rocks. This is pure heaven!
The Moody Lagoon is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a world-class dining experience in a stunning setting. With its focus on sustainability, locally sourced ingredients, and top-notch service, it’s no wonder that the restaurant has become a favourite amongst locals and foodies alike.
VINEYARD SAFARI EXPERIENCE
For those looking for a more adventurous experience, Benguela Cove Wine Estate also offers vineyard safari experiences. These tours take guests on a guided tour of the estate’s vineyards in a 4×4 vehicle, where they can learn about the different grape varietals and how they are grown. All wines are produced using 100% of grapes grown on the estate.
Framed by majestic mountains and panoramic views of the Bot River Lagoon and the Atlantic ocean, the farm is about 220 hectares of which 70 hectares is under vine, and 12 hectares to Olive Groves. This estate surely presents you with a stunning first impression.
The first vineyards were planted by the original owners between 2003 – 2007. Penny Streeter and her husband Nick acquired Benguela Cove Estate in 2013. She added different types of soils that was great for each cultivar, thus allowing each wine to tell its own story. There are about 14 different types of soils on the estate and hence why Benguela Cove is a terroir-driven estate.
First Stop
Block 15 is where you will find their Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc Estate wine. The vineyards are planted on the southern slopes, closest to the ocean which is ideal for this Sauvignon Blanc showing delicate fruit notes, fine tannin structure and a bright acidity. The shale and iron laterites soil adds minerality to the wine.
This wine is a true expression of its origin. The Estate Sauvignon Blanc captures the essence of a cool climate region and delivers with great balance, length, and intensity with an Atlantic freshness about it. Beautiful aromas of tropical fruit that follows through onto the palate with great minerality. This wine was matured in french oak barrels for 9 months proving a rounder feel on the palate with great acidity for a lingering finish.
“This wine is the epitome of this cool-climate. It follows in the quality footsteps of its predecessors, delivering on that Old World minerality and length with hints of New World fruit and texture on the palate”.
– Johann Fourie
Second Stop
The two adjacent Chardonnay vineyards are
west facing vineyards using clones CY277 & CY96 and planted in laterites, shale and small amounts of clay soils. The cover crop adds as a good irrigation system and helps with moisture in the vineyards.
Due to it being a cool-climate region, the acidity in the Chardonnay will be higher, therefore the wine was allowed to go through malolactic fermentation to enhance richness, mouthfeel and balance and also to soften the acidity in the wine. Slightly oaked and was matured in french oak barrels for 11 months showcasing the true expression of the terroir.
Elegantly aromas of peach and melon lures you in with a creaminess that envelops the palate, trailed with citrus zest, and a toasty finish. The mineral structure cuts through the textured mouthfeel leaving a fresh, clean finish.
“We aim to produce a Chardonnay that is an expression of the vineyard. I think this vintage might just be our best expression of Benguela Cove Chardonnay to date!”
– Johann Fourie
Third Stop
The Pinot Noir vineyards are situated on the south and southwest-facing slopes and take full advantage of the cool sea breezes that blow over the vineyards. Soils used ranges from shale, clay and iron laterites and using a clonal selection of PN115 & PN777 for complexity and velvety richness.
This Pinot Noir spent 10 months in oak and this wine is a true impression of a vintage, packed with layers of fruit and intricate flavour nuances. It surprises you with a medley of aromas such as red berries and plum with hints of spice and violets following through onto the palate. The result is an elegant fruity wine a vibrant clean finish.
“Our style of Pinot Noir is aiming at red fruit, a soft and elegant style of Pinot Noir. I recommend cellaring a few bottles for later appreciation as the wine evolves with time.”
– Johann Fourie
Fourth Stop
Their cool-climate Syrah is planted on the north facing slopes using iron laterites, granite and chalk rich soils. Being so close to the Bot River Lagoon, this Syrah ripens slowly, allowing for longer hang time and subsequent structure and flavour development.
Inviting aromas of cherries and plums with hints of spice. Silky soft tannins add to the finesse with a youthful freshness to perch the bold blueberry fruit flavours. The fruit follows through beautifully with nuances of dark chocolate and mocha on the finish that lingers on the palate. Very elegant and smooth Syrah.
“Syrah can truly showcase terroir when allowed to do so by not overworking it in the winery. Our winemaking approach is to honour this unique piece of land at the Southern tip of Africa”.
– Johann Fourie
Fifth Stop (additional stop for Malbec Day)
On the north facing slopes of the estate is where Malbec, an Argentinian-inspired varietal found a home and the vineyards enjoy the nuances of the climate, resulting in beautiful and concentrated fruit.
As this wine is poured into the glass, one is greeted by a deep, dark red colour with a magenta hue. This wine delivers pure fruit that will benefit the wine in the long run. The fruit is caressed with a cool, spicy note that adds freshness.
A special wine from their Vinography range and was matured for 18 months in oak. A sophisticated and elegant Malbec that showcases the unique terroir of Benguela Cove.
On the nose, it offers intense aromas of dark fruit, such as black cherry and blackberry, with subtle hints of vanilla and spice. On the palate, the wine is well-structured with firm tannins and a balanced acidity, delivering flavours of dark chocolate, plum, and a touch of smokiness. The finish is long and lingering, leaving a pleasant impression of ripe fruit and a hint of oak.
“This Malbec is made from a single vineyard that consistently delivers on quality. The vineyard produces a wine that shows an extraordinary level of aromas and palate complexity that warranted its selection as a first stand-alone Malbec for both Benguela Cove Estate and myself.”
– Johann Fourie
PONTOON CRUISE
Benguela Cove boasts so many range of experiences, one has to include a pontoon cruise on the Lady Bonnie across their private lagoon.
Guests board a comfortable pontoon boat and embark on a leisurely cruise around the estate’s private lagoon. The lagoon is surrounded by lush vineyards and fynbos-covered hills, providing a stunning backdrop for the cruise. If you are really lucky, one can even spot the herd of wild horses in their natural habitat at a distance.
During the cruise, guests can relax and take in the natural beauty of the area while sipping on a glass of Benguela Cove wine. The knowledgeable guide provides interesting insights into the estate’s history, winemaking process, and the local flora and fauna.
The pontoon cruise is ideal for couples looking for a romantic outing, friends wanting to spend a relaxing afternoon together, or even corporate groups looking for a unique team-building experience. The boat can accommodate up to 12 guests, making it an intimate and exclusive experience. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just looking for a unique outing, the pontoon cruise at Benguela Cove is a must-do activity.
SHOPPING
Take a little piece of Benguela Cove Wine Estate home with you and pop in at their gift shop. They stock everything from olive oil, wine glasses to table runners and coasters. Even hats which are perfect for a vineyard safari experience.
Overall, Benguela Cove Wine Estate offers a unique and unforgettable wine tasting experience that showcases the best of South African wine and cuisine. Whether you are a seasoned wine enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of wine, a visit to Benguela Cove Wine Estate is sure to be a highlight of your trip. It’s a unique South African Wine Destination that definitely ticks all the boxes!
CONTACT DETAILS
Bookings and General Enquiries: 087 357 0637 | info@benguelacove.co.za
Wine Sales & Cellar Door: winesales@benguelacove.co.za
Wine Club: wineclub@benguelacove.co.za
Moody Lagoon Restaurant: dine@benguelacove.co.za
TASTING AND SALES: Mon – Sun: 10h00 – 18h00
Moody Lagoon Restaurant:
Brunch Saturday – Sunday: 10h00 – 12h00
Lunch Wed – Sun: 12h00 – 15h00
hermanus
Adventure Golf: Fri – Sun: 10h00 – 18h00
Pontoon Cruise: Wed – Sun (weather dependent)
Categories: Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate
