Spookfontein Restaurant

Set in the picturesque Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Spookfontein Restaurant offers an extraordinary dining experience with breathtaking views of vineyards and the Babilonstoring and Kleinrivier mountain ranges. The restaurant's architecture, designed by DJ Carr, intentionally blends into the landscape with curved edges, exposed brick, and concrete elements that create a seamless connection with nature.

The Culinary Experience

The restaurant embraces a philosophy of local, thoughtfully prepared cuisine. Head chef Charl and his long-term partners established the restaurant in 2016, focusing on consistency and quality. Popular menu items include:

• Battered hake with mushy peas - a signature dish
• Springbok served with polenta and chakalaka (a South African take on pap and vleis)
• Asian-style Yellow Fin Tuna
• Seasonally inspired "off menu" specials

The menu strikes a balance between classic and refined dishes, with an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients. For cottage guests, home cook boxes are available with 90% pre-prepped ingredients - perfect for a self-catering evening after a day of wine tasting.

The Wines

Spookfontein's award-winning wines are a product of their unique terroir. The 313-hectare farm's rocky soil and the cool sea air blown in from Walker Bay create distinctive wines with natural acidity and elegant structure. The vineyards produce several standout varieties:

• Pinot Noir - grown in decomposed koffieklip (iron-rich soil)
• Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon - benefiting from extended hang time
• Phantom - their flagship Bordeaux-style blend
• Merlot Rosé - a Double Gold winner at Rose Rocks

Under winemaker Nelis Uys, all wines undergo 100% spontaneous fermentation, with minimal intervention to showcase the farm's unique terroir.

Visitor Experience

A visit to Spookfontein is intentionally unhurried. There are no double seatings for tables, allowing guests to linger and enjoy the views as the sun crosses the valley. The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday (12:00-15:30), with Tuesday openings added during December and January.

The tasting room, which opened in December 2021, offers views of the cellar, mountains, and indigenous garden. It's open daily with oysters available on weekends and cheese and charcuterie boards daily.

For those wanting to extend their visit, self-catering farm cottages are available on the property, offering a chance to fully immerse in the "country life" experience.

Tips from Locals

• Booking is essential, especially on weekends
• Winter visitors should bring warm clothing as the restaurant can get chilly
• Ask about the Spookfontein legend while tasting the Phantom wine
• The restaurant makes an excellent venue for small weddings and celebrations

Spookfontein forms part of a valley experience - visitors often combine it with stops at other Hemel-en-Aarde wine farms for a full day of tasting and dining.