Fairview

Not fond of their wine. Overall a bit commercial.

Decided on the Standard Tasting comprising of Cheeses and Wines Lovely friendly staff who go out of their way to make sure you are accommodated. Loved the Sweet red which went amazingly with the Blue Rock cheese. A huge selection of cheeses, wines and other beverages on offer. Beautiful estate with picturesque gardens. The restaurant is said to be outstanding too but sadly I never got that far.

Love the La Capra Malbec tops drinking wine and at such a great price

Still a Crowd pleaser……

Fairview has been a gem in the Paarl region for quite sometime now. Be sure to visit the wall of photos boasting it’s rich history over the decades, featuring different generations of the Back family. The always friendly and welcoming staff will make your visit memorable along with the traditional farm style scenery for you to enjoy!

The Goatshed Restaurant, just adjacent to the winetasting area, will always be available to sort out the well needed stomach lining with all the varieties of wines available for tasting. Their ever current and creative menu will leave you with a array of choices that suites everyone’s needs!

Be sure to stop on by, Def worth a visit!!!….. ;p

Some friends and I did a tasting in the Beryl Back room. We were initially served by a very knowledgeable and friendly woman, but were palmed-off to a man who left us unattended for long periods. Great cheese, but some very average wines that need to be paired with the cheese to make them drinkable. I was excited to try their Verdehlo because I grew-up close to an area renowned for the variety and it’s not common in ZA; it was terrible, unfortunately.

Very nice winery. Attentive staff, Phillip, thank you for making this visit an informative yet fun filled experience. Did not enjoy the pinotage as much as expected, but loved the cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Cheese tasting was excellent. Overall a most enjoyable experience.

Fairview is always a great experience. Attentive friendly staff, fantastic coffee and food at the restaurant, good range of quality wines and cheeses, the cute goats, etc. Great way to start a wine tour.

I went to this winery last year in August and had a nice time. We did a wine tasting, cheese tasting and had a lunch there. This was the first winery I visited in South Africa, and I thought the wines were nice, though the only wine that jumped out at me was the pinotage. That was my first time trying Pinotage. The cheese is very nice here. You can see my full review on my wine blog: http://westerncapewineries.blogspot.com/2011/03/fairview-paarl.html

We has a wonderful experience doing the rare varietals tasting in the back room. Anita, who used to run the tasting room, was so knowledgable and friendly. The cheese board complimented the wines perfectly and we really liked several of the wines we tried. Sure, it was quite busy, but the restaurant was declicious and the back room tasting was so calm and quiet that the visit was absolutely worth it.

Managed to visit at a relatively quiet time and therefore attentive staff and a couple of bonus tastings. I wouldn’t want to visit when busy though!

I have mixed feelings about this farm…. I’m not one for commercial and touristy…. but with wines and cheese like theirs you can’t help but love it!!! The cheese platter at the goat shed is great value for money! and the goat tower is pretty neat! I’ll be back, even if it’s only to get more wine! HE HE!

Ah, the cheese fiend… Can’t help loving this place, despite some disappointing changes over the years, namely: no more Goatshed red and white 3 for R50; no more Goats Gold coins to collect and redeem We were big and regular customers back then …
Well, here’s what I still love: that goat smell, somehow …; that AMAZING winter hot chocolate; the Viognier and Caldera; the chevin; the fact that they haven’t moaned at me for wandering between the wine and cheese sections whilst breaking off chunks of their ciabatta, stowed in my bag, stretching my cheese and wine fee to the max. What me? You can’t prove it. I deny everything.
What I don’t like: either I’m unlucky, or they really do think I take too much cheese, but I’ve managed to get the most unfriendly people behind the cheese counter. If they KNOW we’re waiting desperately for the chevin while they cut it with precision, they will NOT quickly pass you a bite or two. No, they will ignore you completely while they cut the cheese, beautifully, for the whole plate. Then wait 2-3 minutes for good measure. Then serve it on the other side of the bar. This has happened more than once. But maybe only to me and my friends …
Still, you guys rock.

The only detractions to Fairview are the huge number of visitors and the limited number of wines you can taste for your tasting price (although if you go at the right time, and get the right person this can be flexible…try speaking Afrikaans and rock up on a wet Monday morning.) Despite this they’ve managed to avoid becoming victims of their own success and the wines on offer are varied and excellent.

Recently I booked for their ‘rare varietals’ tasting in the (Beryl) Back Room – a lovely environment carefully designed to make you feel special. The wines up for tasting we interesting and varied from ‘a bit disappointing’ to sublime. The cheese board and olive oil tasting added an extra dimension and all in all it was well worth the price. Further the service I received from Angelique at the front desk when booking was exceptional.

(And of course afterwards, I couldn’t leave without slightly lighter wallet, much heavier boot, and a bottle of La Beryl Blanc…)

Well, never been to a wine estate where the tasting staff are so clued up. Ended up that the guy helping us is doing the same module of Diploma in wine as I am. So ended up tasting everything I could, for the R15, WOW, had some awesome disscussions. Good thing I went on a week morning though, otherwise it is too busy

The GoatFather is one of the best bang-for-buck reds I have ever tasted! Great stuff!

I visited this farm earlier this year. I love all the fun names that they have given to their wines. I tasted a few of their wine and I was very impressed.

We had one great time at the Goatshed one Friday afternoon. Their cheese platters are great! 12 different cheeses for only R58. A true treat! The Spice Route Viognier was delicious and the service was impeccable. The restaurant manager is really on the ball and super goodlooking, so apart from great wine and yummy cheese you’re also in for some eye candy!

We visited a few months ago,my other five friends(resident Overberg & Johannesburg) have visited most of South Africa’s wine farms over the years, I myself have spent more time up around the Bonnivale, Bon Courage ,Zandvliet and well basically a lot from Calitzdorp through Route 62.
I was a little sceptical as I’d never visited Fairview and I had this pre- conceived idea of “Touristy”(Big mistake having pre-conceived Ideas about Western Cape Wine farms!) I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of tasting ad hoc at the Bar and the beautiful Food tasting really is worth every cent!
I personally would recommend the Tasting of your fine Blue cheeses with the sweet chilli dips,the condiments and preserves are wide ranging and really challenge your taste buds.
So to conclude,I would say that Fairview have found a suitable balance between the Masses of tourist style turnover versus the more local patron,who I suppose is spoiled for choice let’s face it! It takes innovation in these times to keep a business profitable, I reckon the new La Capra range is right on the button and will appeal to the masses who look for quality in a wine of that price range.

The masters tasting is something everyone should do. The girl who presents it (Anita) does a sterling job of pairing great wines with cheeses from the farm

These guys clearly know something about marketing. Taste the Spice Route wines – brilliant! Restaurant is so-so but delivers what is promises.

Visited on a Monday for lunch. Waited for it to suck. Was bloody fantastic. Fork out the R60 and do the premium tasting. Worth every penny spent. Premium wines all brilliant.

I’ve been here numerous times. Very commercialised now…

Even so, it offers good wines, well priced, as well as cheeses, olives and a restaurant which you need to book ahead for.

A good wine farm to take overseas guests to for an introduction to wine tasting and the Winelands in general.

My first wine tasting experience, and I really enjoyed it!! Loved the cheese and the whole setting as well!

Excellent cheeses and wines. Tasting room very nice upgraded. Everytime a new experience.

Loved the food at the restaurant – we spent hours here, just enjoying the bread, olive oil and cheese with good wine. The service was great, staff were friendly.
The wine tasting in the tasting room is relaxed and informative. I enjoy the cheese tasting too.
If you get a chance to go, do it! It’s one of my favourites in South Africa and I’ll take my family and friends back there any day.

First visit after they finished the new tasting area. Lovely setting and layout. did the excecutive tasting with cheeses & olive oil & bread. Good experience, friendly service, good wines. They told us that they will be doing a shiraz tasting soon and we would love to attend that, to compare.

They must be doing something right, the farm is always busy. Wines not memorable and unfortunately I don’t eat goats’ cheese…

Did the serious wine tasting what a pleasure.

I must have visited Fairview a hundred times – always a great experience. However I find the lady host at the restaurant always very unfriendly. Wish they can make non-smokers’ experience as pleasant as smokers’ – smoke always seems to dilute my eating and drinking pleasure.

Firm favourite – any day any time! Wine tourism at its best.

Absolutely wondeful. We were there just after the refinishing of the new tasting rooms were completed last August and the experience far surpassed most if not all of the wineries I have ever been to (and I lived an hours drive from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys for most of my life). We recommend Fairview to all our friends that head to South Africa as a must do.

Brought some friends from Australia here for a tasting. Seems everybody knows about Fairview.

We had a great time. The wines were good and so were the cheeses, we bought a bunch (of wine and cheese).

This is just one of those farms that you have to visit… and by the number of people there, it seems everyone thought so.

Cheers, and enjoy!

I ‘ve been a huge cheese fan since I was a kid. My parents keep telling the stories of how they gave little 6 year old Stefan heavy french&dutch cheeses of which they thought they could never be enjoyed by a small kid but I just loved it. Back home we are spoiled with some of the very best cheese shops and I always visit them when I’m in the city.

So I was looking forward to my Fairview visit from the moment my colleague wine missioner told me about it. It was a very hot wednesday in Paarl but out of season so it was very quiet in the cheese shop and tasting room. I was surprised to find out they hold a master tasting/pairing without reservation so no question that was the one to go for.

I will take some friends and family in the future because this is how a decent tasting should be. Nicely decorated room, good bread and olive oil, a bottle of water and a friendly welcome by Anita. R60 is a bargain for all this.

We got talked through correctly and they sure have some good wines aswell. Grapes from all different wine areas are used so they offer a wide variety of varietals and blends including at least 3 **** 1/2 in platter’s.

Interesting Semillon and complex viognier (was pleased to find some “uncommon” varietals such as mourvèdre&carignan)
Both jakkalsfontein and beacon shiraz’ are ones to remember aswell.
I bought a bottle of the ’07 mourvèdre which I found had a really interesting, balanced aroma.
The pairing with the cheeses was done with knowledge and no one can doubt the quality, I was suprised. Such a pity I didn’t bring a coolbox to take some home.

Great experience and the combination of wine & cheese makes this place an ideal spot to take some non wine geek people. Everybody will enjoy Fairview.

The Master Tasting experience is great!!! Billy and Anita are stars, they made me feel welcome, appreciated and looked after, while never dumping too much info on me. great welcome and great product knowledge, with just the right mix of personal attention… Give them a go for sure.

Cheese, cheese, n mo cheese. . .n wine!! Love this venue for bringing out guests and family!

I have been to Fairview a few times, but not because of the wines. They make better cheese than wine. Lovely setting thou and I just love the goats!! Little bit to over crowded.

I am a fan, always stop by if I am in Stellenbosch, stock up on wine, cheeses and breads! The Master Tasting is excellent, personal attention and a chance for indepth discussion.

I’m absolutely fanatical about cheese, so fairwiew is always a good place for me to visit.

a great personal experience – we stood at the bar and were given a sheet to choose our tastings from.
Our host was very interested in our opinions and often offered something else to try based on what we liked.
The cheese tasting is also great, a lovely place for an afternoon

The Best Wine Farm In South Africa !!!
The Best Cheese and wine that you could ever Dream Of!!!
Visit the Goat shed restaurant where you can have a bit of everything and sample the Amazing cheese and wine available to you with the friendliest service Imaginable !!! Ask for Juan, Shannon or Fern.

On this particular day, we could see Table Mountain, the food was great and afterwards the cheese & wine tasting was devine.

ok i went straight to Fairview form Cape Town international airport, and boy it was a great place, dived straight into the selection of cheese and tried all the wines, even the ones that were not on the tasting list and the staff were very informative and friendly!

Great wines and cheese lekka for a picnic if it would have been allowed, too many tourist maybe it would be beter to visit off season, or ealy in the week. The Italian varietals are good.

Nice view, setting, and nice food, nice wine. To crowded

I recently did the Master tasting and it was pretty good. Eight wines paired with 8 cheeses.

A few years back I did a general tasting, but none of the wines on offer excited me. Will have to go back for another sampling.

Too many wines so little time

On our arrival at the gate we were informed that they were full, but we had 2 Cheese-chowers in the car, so we had to force our way in! It was extremely busy, but let’s say thanks to Bacchus, we got a table for 5 in no time!

Thank goodness for aircon, because it was one of those hot days in Paarl, but the sparkling cooled us all down. Our waitress, Annelize, was friendly and helpful.Fairview is probably more know for their cheese than their wine, and rightfully so. We had an awesome cheese platter and we absolutely loved the goats cheese. It is a bit overpriced, but still worth a visit. We will have to go back to do the official wine tasting.

According to my friends, we were close to heaven.

Always a great experience – loved by all we have taken to the farm. Will recommend to all.

You have to go here for yourself in order to understand what I mean by “hey! Check those goats!” This is one of my favourite wine farms which probably has a lot to do with the fact that I love wine AND cheese and Fairview offers both!
Their wines and cheese are very reasonable priced and they have a huge selection to experience. I’d recommend having lunch at their restaurant when you’re finished with the tasting.