Spit or Swallow at Simonsig Wine Estate

Total Swallows 634	Rated by 89	Avg Swallows 7.12

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Tell us about your experience at Simonsig Wine Estate

Reviewed by Kyle Smith - 21 December 2011 at 11:12

Casual Winefly - 18 farms visited and 15 reviewed.

R25 for the tasting experience but they offered the glass to me at the end of the experience. The R25 only allows you to taste 5 wines which is a bit of a rip off. I’ve paid the same price elsewhere and been able to taste the while range… Staff are friendly and accommodating. I was lucky enough to get to taste and purchase the Aurum Chardonnay which is a limited release only sold at the farm. Only 5 barrels were made but it is deliciously creamy and Vanilla like. If you like wooded Chardonnay and don’t mine spending more than R260 a bottle, you will die for this exquisite chardonnay!

Reviewed by Lisa Harlow - 3 November 2011 at 17:20

Casual Winefly - 23 farms visited and 16 reviewed.

Great experience here. Wide range to choose from and wines that suit all pockets. My favourite was definitely the MCC. Came out with wine, biltong, jewellery and a book!! Very friendly tasting room asistants

Reviewed by Doug Hoernle - 6 October 2011 at 19:19

Casual Winefly - 17 farms visited and 15 reviewed.

Loved the diverse wine range. Beautiful estate and knowledgeable tasting staff… great afternoons tasting!

Reviewed by Jan Langenhoven - 9 August 2011 at 20:12

Super Winefly - 245 farms visited and 190 reviewed.

Revisit the farm and again was not to excited about the wines. Made for the average pallet. The wooded chenin top class. The top bubbly also worth drinking at R190 a bottle.’

Reviewed by Daniël Maree - 18 March 2011 at 14:47

Casual Winefly - 31 farms visited and 30 reviewed.

Tasting room sets a nice relaxed theme and the wine list is long and mostly good too.

Reviewed by Lieze Norval - 4 November 2010 at 16:54

Casual Winefly - 14 farms visited and 15 reviewed.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Simonsig’s wines! Their bubbly is a classic, and their Chenin and Gewurztraminer worth the visit, but don’t expect good service. We did a pleasant DIY tasting outside under the trees. Which would’ve been fine if we didn’t have pay. We did buy wine of course, but the tasting room staff were not really concerned by our presence. A pity, but at least the wine makes up for it.

Reviewed by Les Calderwood - 12 October 2010 at 14:49

Casual Winefly - 22 farms visited and 15 reviewed.

Strangely I was encouraged to visit Simonsig by a twist of fate when I literally bumped into Maureen Basson in a supermarket aisle ..She has a swish,feisty and even business like approach . I like that.
So, as I was passing I decided to try a few glasses and I was pleasantly surprised,first of all by Lara who had time to chat despite a large group arriving. Top class young lady. Very approachable and an excellent host.
I love the Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2010 and the highly acclaimed Simonsig Red Hill Pinotage 2008. Both have acquired a Gold Veritas award and it’s easy to see why. The Chenin has that Kiwi and ripe pears feel and a lingering finish which compliments it’s tropical nose.. Really well balanced and with14.63% alcohol really hits the spot !Best consumed young this vibrant wine. Love it and great value for money at 36 rand a bottle.
The Redhill Pinotage is a revelation of perfumed berry and plums on the nose.. very pleasing and has a full body to compliment my favourite roast duck dish !
A good wine tasting experience even though mine was on the “Hoof” My compliments to Lara and to the waiter Dirk who chatted away to me when the crowds came in . Very hospitable.
I’ll come back and give the restaurant a bash
Conclusion definitely worth a visit ,easy access and parking. The surrounding scenery is magnificent ! I left happily with a few bottles..great value. http://twitpic.com/2wyg8i

Reviewed by Flávio de Paula - 15 September 2010 at 04:44

Novice Winefly - 0 farms visited and 1 reviewed.

Hi there, we are importers of Simonsig in Brasil and recently, Tiara has got 3rd place on a blind tasting happened in Sao Paulo few weeks ago, please check on http://azpilicueta96.blogspot.com/2010/08/os-top-5-do-encontro-de-vinhos-lista.html
Altough is in Portughese, you may use google chrome translator to read the article in English, regards to all

Reviewed by Richard Ferraris - 31 August 2010 at 16:40

Discoverer Winefly - 72 farms visited and 8 reviewed.

The Red Hill pinot is a solid wine. I like the estate, service is always good and it’s a lively place to visit

Reviewed by Frieda Lloyd - 29 August 2010 at 13:16

Explorer Winefly - 99 farms visited and 22 reviewed.

Just put me on a Kaapse Vonkel drip!

Reviewed by Pieter Lindenberg - 23 August 2010 at 15:12

Discoverer Winefly - 94 farms visited and 12 reviewed.

Accross the board good value for money – especially the chenin blanc and of course Kaapse Vonkel

Reviewed by Jacques Weidemann - 23 July 2010 at 18:41

Firefly - 196 farms visited and 146 reviewed.

Kaapse vonkel is probably the best of the lot. Frans Malan is a wine legend and did a lot for the SA wine industry, but I think it is time they produce a flagship of note to honor him. Not a single bad wine though…but also nothing memorable

Reviewed by Brett Garner - 6 July 2010 at 09:43

Casual Winefly - 9 farms visited and 10 reviewed.

What a surprise. The wines and bubbly are excellent. I was expecting less – both by way of the quality and the number of wines on offer; I never realised their repertoire was quite so large! The place was busy on the day and I would have prefered to sit at one of the empty tables, as no offer to place us there was made I assume it’s not the norm, though I will ask next time I’m there.

Paul Kruger served and impressed with his knowledge and it’s clear that he enjoys the farm’s wine in his private capacity too – a good endorsement if ever there was one.

The oaked whites are particularly impressive, the dessert wines threatened my wallet and the reds are good without fail – the Cab Sav/Shiraz, Redhill Pinotage and SMV are fantastic.

It’s a pretty place (though the lady wine-taster who had passed out on the garden bench probably didn’t notice) and makes for a super-relaxed visit (as the said lady no doubt will remember).

Reviewed by Martin Oordt - 5 July 2010 at 17:36

Explorer Winefly - 113 farms visited and 106 reviewed.

Villiera Wines’ unrelated sister and a brothel of bubblies (in a good, morally correct and enjoyable way) was our second stop for the Stellies Wine Fest where it was a bit busier with more foreigners. I switched over to reds and enjoyed the range (specifically designed for the fest) on offer. Except for the band outside that played the most excruciating jazz music – too heavy that early in the morning – and the specially designed menu, there wasn’t much else on offer as part of the festival. I still think Simonsig is one of those stick-to-your-guns and follow-the-script wineries and don’t think they should change. It’s difficult to explain: I know what to expect when I walk in there and changing it would just upset the grape cart! Up next: Kanonkop …

Reviewed by Jan Langenhoven - 22 May 2010 at 16:32

Super Winefly - 245 farms visited and 190 reviewed.

Geared for big groupes but stil able to give personal attention.

Reviewed by Hennie Coetzee - 16 May 2010 at 20:26

Super Winefly - 249 farms visited and 185 reviewed.

Revisited the farm on a Wednesday afternoon after bunking off work. The first time I’ve been back since the opening of Cuvee. Had an ok-ish lunch – food average, service very good – and then moved on to the wine tasting. The majority of the whites are quaffers, with the exception being the Chenin Avec Chene, a serious wooded Chenin Blanc with lovely botrytis notes. The reds worth looking at is the single vineyard Meryndol Syrah, the Cape blend Frans Malan and the Cape Bordeaux style blend the Tiara.

The tasting room attendant was insightful and slightly entertaining and could answer all my questions. Given that the place was empty, we got all the attention we wanted.

Simonsig is worth a visit, even if its just once.

Reviewed by Maggie Mostert - 16 May 2010 at 19:07

Firefly - 222 farms visited and 197 reviewed.

Fabulous wines and service. Farm has been beautifully redone. The restaurant is worth the visit – unlike so many wine farms’ restaurants this one is run professionally. There is a reason why the Kaapse Vonkel is so well known!

Reviewed by Amorie Loots - 26 March 2010 at 13:20

Casual Winefly - 18 farms visited and 18 reviewed.

A visit to Simonsig always exceed my expectations. Being able to take the tasting glass home is a bonus – I have got a whole collection of Simonsig tasting glasses. I find it never to busy and the friendly staff adds to the pleasure of wine tasting.

Reviewed by Cobus Coetzee - 2 March 2010 at 13:03

Explorer Winefly - 128 farms visited and 90 reviewed.

Great place to visit1

Reviewed by Martin Oordt - 21 February 2010 at 11:09

Explorer Winefly - 113 farms visited and 106 reviewed.

It seems like whenever you take guests, friends or family to the winelands, that this is the first stop you make. Simonsig, well-known for everything sparkly and cheesy. MCC’s being their trade mark with the ever-popular Kaapse Vonkel varieties. I do not know one person (except for the Pretorian Brandy and coke drinker – who co-incidentally I was taking on a trip that day) that does not love Simonsig’s MCC’s. Another personal fav for myself was the Merindol Syrah – “a case please!!”. Other favourites include the Redhill Pino and Tiarra –num num num.

The tasting room was all nice and whatever and set up in such a way to cater for bus ………… Here again you can see where eclectic goes wrong. Too many hands in the décor, furniture and fittings pot, makes for a guaranteed disaster. The environment is airconned though and the tastings professional and informative. The host … as gorgeous as the MCC

Overall it was fun-bubbly-tastic!

Reviewed by Stephan Steyn - 6 February 2010 at 23:23

Discoverer Winefly - 63 farms visited and 44 reviewed.

so we stopped here first…. and straight for the bubble, pity they didn’t have any more of the kaapse vonkel 2005 to taste but the 2008 and was still good enough.
the staff were open and easy enough to talk to and inform people of the wines, heading on to the venue, well thats easy, its a great place to go wine tasting, lovely views all around by the restaurant and and a great setting all around! cant really find anything bad to say though… perhaps they should pull out more 2005 Kaapse Vonkel

Reviewed by Mehmet Topaloğlu - 29 December 2009 at 22:54

Casual Winefly - 5 farms visited and 2 reviewed.

Such a nice farm for wine tasting. I am impressed with both white and red wines as well as friendliness and efficiency of staff. I bought Frans Malan Reserve. Definitely is my favourite place in Stellenbosch.

Reviewed by Mark Pryce - 5 November 2009 at 09:39

Discoverer Winefly - 71 farms visited and 68 reviewed.

Pleasant farm with a nice selection of wines. Host slightly disinterested

Reviewed by Francois Malan - 31 October 2009 at 15:07

Discoverer Winefly - 63 farms visited and 10 reviewed.

great place to visit, lots of good wine to taste

Reviewed by Hester Gikas - 7 July 2009 at 20:09

Casual Winefly - 30 farms visited and 20 reviewed.

Baie interessant! Goeie diens en die mense leer jou baie! Definitiewe stop vir elke toekomstige wynproewer!!!!

Reviewed by Martin Oordt - 10 June 2009 at 15:40

Explorer Winefly - 113 farms visited and 106 reviewed.

Witnessed the decapitacian of a sparkly wine. Very nice farm!

Reviewed by Andrew Chigorimbo - 21 May 2009 at 16:38

Secret Winefly - 380 farms visited and 305 reviewed.

fantastic garden and tasting room. staff there is very friendly and efficient. Just think the crackers should be free

Reviewed by Madame de Wyn - 17 May 2009 at 13:05

Secret Winefly - 360 farms visited and 454 reviewed.

140120091003What an amazing place! The garden with the white roses welcomes you with open arms and when you walk through the glass sliding doors to enter the tasting room, you can not help but to fall in love with Simonsig. The thing that I like the most about Simonsig is that they stick to their traditional look, but add some modern touches. This gives them a fresh, but still authentic look. They have some interesting lights all around the tasting room, so don’t just focus on the wine, but the whole experience that they have on offer.

Then again…do focus on the wine the most, because they have an amazing array of wines. Bought a Red Hill Pinotage 2007 for the collection.

The staff was friendly and informative and we even tasted some Champers on the house. I’m not normally a fan of the commercial wine estates, but this one stole my heart. I will definitely go back soon, seeing that there is still a lot on the list to taste. LOVE the 2007 Red Hill Pinotage!

Reviewed by Hantus Mostert - 20 April 2009 at 21:45

Casual Winefly - 9 farms visited and 19 reviewed.

Simonsig is fun! Love the New Restaurant

Reviewed by Madame De Wyn - 14 January 2009 at 21:05

Secret Winefly - 360 farms visited and 454 reviewed.

Great Pinotage 2007. Impressive.

Reviewed by Sally-Anne Paton - 6 December 2008 at 14:30

Casual Winefly - 0 farms visited and 287 reviewed.

Simonsig is a great wine farm to go to if your love bubbles! They make great method cap classic (or ‘champagne’ were it not for the appellation!) There is a display that shows you the intricate process of creating a cap classic which I found very interesting. They also demonstrated ‘le saberage’ which is the art of opening a champagne bottle with a knife. I had an informative and fun time there!