Tasting Room
Fairview’s wine and cheese tasting room has become one of the most popular Cape winelands destinations, building on a reputation that stretches back to the 1970′s, when Cyril and Beryl Back first welcomed guests to the farm. Today, Fairview’s range of over 35 wines and 25 artisanal cheese are presented for tasting seven days a week by manager Neil du Plessis and his team of hosts.
Main tasting room
The tasting room comprises a number of tasting pods. This unique pod concept was implemented in 2009 and was aimed at creating a more welcoming and less rigid environment. The tasting pods offer tastings of 6 different wines with dedicated hosts. There is a wide range of wines available to taste, including a selection from the single vineyard range. Your tasting includes a selection of 6 to 8 of Fairview’s Jersey milk and goats’ milk cheeses. These are tasted at a separate pod, allowing tasters to enjoy their wine selection and then move across to the cheeses as they seek out good pairings or their particular favourites.
The Beryl Back tasting room
Opened in December 2008, the Beryl Back tasting room is named in honour of Charles Back’s late mother. As one of the first cellars to offer tasting and sales direct to the public, Fairview has a long-held reputation for its hospitality. Beryl Back was responsible for instilling the culture of service that remains in place to this day.
This tasting room is set apart from the main tasting area and offers seated, tutored tastings. The Beryl Back tasting room is managed by Patrick Sidyiyo, whose passion for wine and experience have made reservations in this room rather sought after. He puts together various tasting options and recommendations, including pairing of wines and cheeses. However guests are welcome to choose from a wide selection of wines, including flagship and single vineyard bottlings.
Tastings are limited to smaller groups of up to 8 persons and pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Tasting rates
Beryl Back tasting room: R60 per person – includes 8 wines, selection of cheeses & olive oil
Promotional tasting of ‘unusual’ varietals currently available at R45 per person.
Standard tasting: R25 per person – includes 6 wines & selection of cheeses
Cheese tasting only: R15 per person
Opening hours and contact details
Open seven days a week from 09h00 to 17h00. Last tasting vouchers are sold at 16h30 (standard tasting) and 16h00 (Beryl Back tasting) so as to allow sufficient time to complete your tasting to the high standards of service that Fairview sets. We don’t like to rush things!
We are closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but are open the rest of the year.
All public holidays (excluding mentioned above) – normal trading hours apply
Telephone: +27 (0)21 863 2450
Email: tasting@fairview.co.za
Tour groups and tour guides
Bookings are required for groups of 10 or more guests in the main tasting room and for all tastings in the Beryl Back tasting room. Please ensure that bookings are made and confirmed at least 48 hours before. Contact Neil du Plessis or Tanja Schreuder for reservations.
Please note that we do not offer cellar tours.
Download our 2010 tour group tasting options.
Directions
From Cape Town on the N1:
Take exit 47 (Stellenbosch/Wellington/Klapmuts)
Turn RIGHT towards Klapmuts
At the four-way stop turn left onto R101 (follow signboard to Fairview)
After passing Simonsvlei on your right, turn LEFT into the Suid-Agter Paarl Road (follow signboard to Fairview)
Fairview is on your right hand side, about 3km along the road.
