With over 16 wine farms stretching from Harkerville to the Crags, we are lucky to call the Plett Winelands home to our boutique wine farm, Kay and Monty. The Plett Winelands is recognised both nationally and internationally as South Africa’s newest Wine of Origin region and boasts award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Méthode Cap Classique wines.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The first vines were planted in 2000 by Bramon Estate owners, Caroline and Peter Thorpe. They pioneered vineyards in Plett and the success of their award-winning Méthode Cap Classique sparkling and still wines led to a plethora of new vineyards in the area, essentially paving the way for the Plett Winelands.
Discovering THE CRAGS
Situated on the verdant Garden Route, at the heart of the Plettenberg Bay wine region, you’ll find Kay and Monty Vineyards. With five hectares of land under grape, Kay and Monty is a boutique wine farm that produces a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a deliciously dry Chardonnay MCC.
The farm was bought by Chick Legh in 2004, and as an avid polo player Chick decided to convert it into a polo estate. Subsequently it was one of the first estates to start planting vines, and slowly but surely the infrastructure has taken shape and now boasts a tasting room and restaurant where you can settle in for an afternoon of good food and great wine.
You will find us on Redford Road which, alone, has five unique farms and restaurants within five kilometers of each other – the perfect place to start your Plett Winelands journey. It is one of the most scenic parts of the entire route with vineyards sitting at the foothills of the magnificent Tsitsikamma Mountains and vines growing along the edge of thick forests. In addition to Kay and Monty, you can visit Bramon Wines, Newstead Wine Farm, Redford Lane Wines and Lodestone Wines, which all sit along Redford Road.
More about our AREA…
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The area’s cool coastal climate – some vineyards are just three kilometers from the sea – make it more conducive to wines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
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Additionally, the soil in the area has a high carbon content – perfect for Sauvignon Blanc.
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The soil alkaline levels produce wines that can be very low in sulphites, which is the additive that some people can have a bad reaction too.
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The grapes are harvested between February and April each year and the wine farms situated in the Crags, like Kay and Monty, tend to harvest earlier due to the higher temperatures they experience.
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The area is becoming known as the ‘Bubbly Route’ and being touted as the ‘Champagne of South Africa’ as it produces approximately seven Méthode Cap Classique style wines.
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The Plett Winelands is the most easterly cultivar in the Western Cape and the smallest wine growing region in South Africa featuring only 58 hectares of the 100,000 hectares planted around the country.
WAYS TO ENJOY THE WINE ROUTE
There are a multitude of ways to enjoy the Plett Winelands – on horseback, by bus, by bike or by hike.
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Our friends at Hogs Hollow Horse Trails offer some amazing ways to discover the region including on horseback or from the comfort of your own horse drawn carriage.
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Next time you are visiting, book a wine tour with Knysna Hike and Bike. They offer walking tours and cycling tours that explore a fantastic route through the local Crags vineyards.
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Check out Plett Wine Tours, they offer experiences tailored to meet the needs of both wine connoisseurs and the occasional wine drinker.
If you are in the area, pop in to the tasting room at Kay and Monty. On hot summer days enjoy a light lunch made up of locally-sourced fresh ingredients while enjoying the view. On colder days you can keep warm in the comfort of our two fireplaces. Head over here to make a booking.
