WHEN THE going gets tough, the tough get going! Nearly two years of COVID-19 restrictions had a significant impact on tourism around South Africa and the world in general, let alone that in the Breede River Vally and country towns such as Bonnievale. However, with things beginning to return to some form of normality the Jonker family at Weltevrede had given a whole new look and feel to their estate and were welcoming back wine and history lovers, tempting them to go exploring.

In October 2021, proprietor-winemaker Philip Jonker was popping corks after winning a platinum medal at the Michelangelo Awards (SA) for his Chardonnay Brut Cap Classique, The Ring 2013 – rated one of the Top 3 bubblies in the competition. Come November and the Jonkers were celebrating again after opening a maze of passageways, nooks and crannies waiting to be discovered by those signing up for one of the Chardonnay or Cap Classique tours in the cellars, old and not so old – you can even get personally involved in the making of sparkling wine the traditional way. “Be Captivated,” is how they put it. Recommended particularly if you’re seeking out the main attractions on the Robertson Wine Valley’s Cap Classique Route that also features Bon Courage, Graham Beck, Silverthorn and Wonderfontein (Paul René).