Knorhoek Wines and Guest house

Highly recommended accommodation on a historic wine estate, producing award-winning South African wines. Tranquil, secluded amongst sweeping gardens and vineyards, Knorhoek is the ideal retreat for the discerning traveller, yet all attractions, active or cultural are within easy reach. Your hosts are 5th generation owners who offer you traditional Cape hospitality and fine food.

ACCOMMODATION:

Luxury Rose and Lavender Cottages (self-catering)
7 en-suite bedrooms (bath or shower) - breakfast included
1 Family suite (sleeps 4) - breakfast optional
Crisp white linen
Coffee & Tea trays in rooms
Cosy lounge with fireplace, patio, private barbeque to use at leisure
pre-booked dinners Mon - Fri.

DREAM WEDDINGS AND FUNCTIONS

The ever-popular Lapa is in the final throes of being transformed into a magical, mystical wedding venue, TOWERBOSCH
Brides and guests will be enchanted by fairytale decor and sumptuous feasts

ASADO BARBEQUES on free Saturdays and Sundays - booking essentail

KNORHOEK AND ENVIRONS OFFER NUMEROUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES, including:

Wine tasting
Tennis
Landscaped rock pool
Vineyard walks
Bird watching
Bass fishing
Horse riding
Hiking trails
Golf - the owners have played all the courses in the Western Cape and can advise accordingly
Dinners -pre-booked Mondays to Fridays (South African cuisine includes, Kingklip, Bobotie, Oxtail and Aromatic Malay chicken
Small Conference facilities (team building)

RATES, DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION POLICY:

Please visit Knorhoek Website here for Rates, Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Terroir

Knorhoek lies some 200 - 380 meters above sea level on the gently sloping foothills of the Simonsberg mountain, and is part of the world-renowned Stellenbosch wine region.

With its characteristic russet-red oak leaf soils and favourable aspects (warm northern-facing slopes for traditional red cultivars and sea breeze-cooled western slopes for slower-maturing whites), Knorhoek is ideally situated for growing fine wines.

The farm today has 105 ha of vineyards, with 85% under state-of-the-art drip irrigation, computerised and regulated according to soil probe data. Over the last 6 years the farm has undergone sweeping changes, with as much as 60 ha being replanted with superior, disease- resistant rootstock. The attractive old wine cellar is constantly being upgraded in order to maintain the high quality of Knorhoek wines.

At Knorhoek, only a selected 15% of the grape production is used for labelled estate wines. The balance is sold to well-known wineries. The result - consistently top quality wines that remain value for money wherever they are enjoyed.

The Heritage of Knorhoek

As early as 1694 farmers recognised the potential of the fertile foothills of the Simonsberg mountain. By 1793 the legendary Martin Melck had acquired most of this land and it was probably he who changed the name from the original Kleygat (Clay-hole) to Knorhoek, called in a contemporary document 'de plaats waar de leeuwen knorren' - the place where lions growl.

This gives one an indication of how wild the environment was at that time. Feline predators scaled the high kraal walls at night and preyed on domestic livestock. The Cape Mountain lion became extinct by the late 1700's, Caracal are occasionally seen on the farm and leopard sightings still occur in the higher reaches of the surrounding mountains - hence the use of the leopard on the Knorhoek estate wine labels.

Melck's daughter inherited Knorhoek and her son, Jan Andries Beyers was the first of many generations to farm here. A devastating phylloxera plague forced most farmers in the area to sell, but by an interesting quirk of fate, Knorhoek went back into the family.

In 1887 JGB van Niekerk bought a neighbouring farm and chanced to marry the great-granddaughter of Beyers, the original Knorhoek patriarch. She convinced him to buy back Knorhoek, and now four generations later, the Van Niekerks have created a fine balance between producing excellent wines and conserving a little of the wild spirit of the past.

A visit to the family cemetery behind the guesthouse makes for interesting reflection on a colourful past.

… And Present

Today the Van Niekerk brothers are the 5th generation to own and work this beautiful farm. Following in the footsteps of their father, Hannes, who was awarded the prestigious Smuts Trophy for his wines, they continue the long and honourable family tradition of winemaking.

James, in charge of the vineyards, and Hansie, responsible for winemaking and marketing, together with their wives Carol and Ingrid, form a vibrant young team, passionate about wines and delighted to share their heritage with visitors and guests.

Situated in peaceful gardens, with a tempting rock pool and rustic outdoor lapa, the 3-star guesthouse spoils guests with traditional Cape hospitality and fine food. Knorhoek is a popular venue for weddings, conferences and other functions.

Visit Knorhoek Website

Cape Town Guesthouses