A Curated Experience of Fynbos in Wellington
Cape Winelands
South Africa
The Wellington Fynbos Trail invites you into the company of remarkable people in the country town of Wellington, 75km NE of central Cape Town. Each offering is a distinct way to experience the rare and ancient Fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region - one of the world’s great botanical treasures.
More than an itinerary, this interactive trail is a collection of privileged encounters. Meet edible Fynbos innovators and master chocolatiers, mixologists, chefs, artists, distillers, wellness practitioners, terroir specialists, food historians, adventure guides, winemakers and other remarkable individuals who interpret the landscape of Wellington.
Every experience is personally hosted by someone who offers a journey that is as intellectually enriching as it is sensorially unforgettable.
Presented throughout the year, the Wellington Fynbos Trail follows a thoughtfully curated itinerary, although every experience can be enjoyed independently.
Stay for a few nights or visit for the day. Simply choose the experiences that inspire and book directly with the presenter.
Join us to taste, discover and connect.
Thursday
Giselle Courtney
Thursday 10:00-14:30
Cape Town Fynbos Experience®
Awaken your palate to the extraordinary flavours of Fynbos - the rare and ancient botanicals of the world’s richest floral kingdom.
Step into this remarkable sensory world with Giselle Courtney, creator of the South African Fynbos® Culinary Collection and discover eleven distinctive indigenous species through their aromas, flavours and fascinating botanical stories.
Explore the many ways Fynbos can transform contemporary cooking and baking, cocktails and cordials, herbal infusions and distillations - opening up an entirely new botanical language of flavour. This is the foundation of all the experiences on the Wellington Fynbos Trail.
R3 400,00 per person (12 seats)
WhatsApp 066 2255 722
Clairvaux Farm, Olyvenbosch Road, Blouvlei Valley, Wellington
www.SouthAfricanFynbos.com
anneline schoon
Thursday, Friday & Saturday
Botanical Restoration 10:00-17:00
Surrender to Anneline Schoon's deeply restorative botanical massage, where slow, intuitive touch is infused with the evocative aromas and therapeutic botanicals of the wild. As fragrant oils and smoky resins release the essence of Fynbos, every sense is gently awakened while body and mind settle into the unhurried rhythm of the landscape. Gently end the experience with a sweet herbal tea on the stoep of Wellington's first farmhouse.
R950,00
One-hour Full Body Massage
WhatsApp Anneline 067 187 4040
@ana.body.mind.spirit
Wellington central
Mark Courtney
Thursday 15:00–18:00
Proof of Life® Wine Tasting
Spend an intriguing afternoon in conversation with one of the world's foremost hostage negotiators, who celebrates proof of life crafting a highly collectible Cabernet Sauvignon. Mark Courtney has secured the release of more than 50 kidnap victims across Africa.
A vertical tasting of this single family vineyard on the Hawequas Mountain reveals more than the evolution of a wine. It opens a window into an extraordinary journey - from negotiating for lives in some of the world’s most hostile environments to creating a wine that is a metaphor for life itself. With each vintage from this ancient Fynbos landscape, the wine carries an invitation to weave mindfully into the lives of others and celebrate proof of life.
R8 700,00 per person (8 seats)
WhatsApp 066 2255 722
Clairvaux Farm, Olyvenbosch Road, Blouvlei Valley, Wellington
www.proofof.life
iconic view
The 'W' in Wellington
Sundowners on the Deck
As the sun sinks towards the horizon, its last golden light illuminates the magnificent Hawequas Mountain, creating one of Wellington’s most iconic evening views. From Val du Charon Wine and Leisure Estate, the changing light brings the Fynbos covered mountain dramatically to life, revealing its distinctive W-shaped silhouette - a remarkable natural symbol of Wellington itself. As the mountain glows in shades of gold, rose and deep violet, the landscape becomes the stage for an unforgettable Wellington memory.
Enjoy estate wines and cocktails from the expansive deck.
Bovlei Road, Bovlei Valley, Wellington
021 873 1256 or 079 886 1775
www.vdcwines.co.za
dominic courtney
7 Days a week - seasonal times
Proof of Life® Adventures
Step into the mountains with accredited adventure guide Dominic Courtney and discover the Cape landscape through all your senses. His walks are more than hikes: they are immersive journeys into the wild beauty, aromas and flavours of the Fynbos-covered mountains surrounding Wellington. Dominic leads you along mountain paths that reveal dramatic views, hidden landscapes and the remarkable diversity of the Cape Floristic Region. Whether you are an experienced walker or simply seeking a memorable day outdoors, Dominic creates an adventure that is personal and engaging.
R750,00 per person (minimum 2 walkers - max 10)
WhatsApp Dominic 076 360 3415
@proof_of_life_adventures
Friday
Olivia Le Cordeur
Friday 09:30-10:30
Humanity's Design Classic
Join Olivia Le Cordeur for an intimate encounter with one of the most extraordinary chapters in human history. As curator of the Wellington Museum, Olivia invites guests to handle ancient stone tools dating back nearly two million years, bringing humanity's earliest ingenuity vividly to life. Few visitors expect a small country museum to house a collection that reaches so deeply into the human story. Among its treasures is an extraordinary assemblage of authentic Homo erectus hand axes discovered in the Wellington Valley - objects that first appeared around 1.8 million years ago and are widely regarded as among humanity's earliest and most enduring design achievements.
R20,00 per person at the door - no prior booking required - ask for Olivia
Museum Hours: 08:00–16:00
Closed weekends.
60 Church Street, central Wellington
021 873 4710
www.wellingtonmuseum.co.za
Edmund Oettle
Friday 11:15-12:45
A Shimmering Cape Brandy Experience
Venture off the beaten track to the hidden cellar of South Africa's extraordinary Upland 24 Karat Director's Reserve XO Brandy, a rare spirit shimmering with delicate flakes of 24-karat gold leaf. Nestled on the Fynbos covered slopes of the Hawequas Mountain, Upland Organic Estate is home to master Cape brandy distiller Edmund Oettlé, who has pioneered a true garagiste approach to distillation.
Your tasting journey begins with the estate's distinctive grappa and rakia, before progressing to the elegant Upland XO 10 Year. From there, savour South Africa's only cask-strength brandy, bottled exactly as it leaves the barrel, before concluding with the crowning jewel of the collection - Upland's 24 Karat Director's Reserve XO.
R1 950,00 per person (8 Seats)
WhatsApp Edmund 082 731 4774
Dagklip Road, Blouvlei Valley, Wellington
www.organicwine.co.za
bain's whisky tasting
Friday 14:00-16:00
James Sedgwick Distillery Tour
More than a century apart, a Scotsman and a Yorkshireman transformed the landscape of Wellington. In the 1800s, road builder Thomas Geddes Bain carved a route through the formidable Fynbos-covered mountains, opening a passage from Wellington into the interior. His engineering skill and perseverance created Bain’s Kloof Pass, one of South Africa’s great feats of early road building. At the turn of the millennium master distiller Andy Watts drew inspiration from Bain’s achievement to create a whisky worthy of his name. Launched in 2009, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky was South Africa’s first single grain whisky, marrying technical mastery with a distinctly local sense of place.
From R350,00 per person (20 Seats)
Book online - Home - Bains Whisky
072 415 3440
James Sedgwick Distillery: 79 Stokery Road, Wellington
andy watts
By Appointment
Private Whisky Tasting
Enjoy an intimate audience with the man who placed South African whisky firmly on the world stage. Hosted at a venue of your choice, this exclusive private tasting offers rare access to one of the industry’s most respected master distillers.
Over a distinguished career spanning four decades, Andy Watts crafted internationally acclaimed whiskies at the James Sedgwick Distillery, earning global recognition and helping establish South Africa as a serious whisky‑producing nation. His achievements include being named World’s Best Master Distiller/Master Blender (2018), World’s Best Whisky Ambassador (2020) and induction into the Whisky Hall of Fame (2021).
Now retired, he shares his extraordinary knowledge, stories and award‑winning whiskies through bespoke tastings designed for discerning enthusiasts and collectors alike. An exceptional opportunity to experience the legacy, craftsmanship, and insights of a true whisky legend.
From R3 800,00 per person (10 Seats)
WhatsApp Andy 082 771 2606
andy@thewattswhiskycompany.com
www.thewattswhiskycompany.com
Dr. Anton Nel
Friday 16:30–18:30
Wines of Wellington Tasting
Oenologist Dr Anton Nel welcomes you to Wellington with an intimate tasting of exceptional wines from the Wellington Valley, exploring the distinctive terroir that has made this one of the Cape Winelands’ most compelling regions.
Through a carefully curated selection of benchmark wines, Anton reveals the influence of Wellington’s mountain landscapes, ancient soils and Mediterranean climate and the way these elements translate into wines of character, complexity and individuality.
Anton’s Curated Selection:
Andreas Shiraz
Welgegund Chenin Blanc
Wellington Wines La Cave Pinotage
Welbedacht Cinsaut
Mont du Toit Cabernet Franc
Wolvenhoek Cabernet Sauvignon
R500,00 per person (20 Seats)
WhatsApp Anton 073 424 0628
Wellington Terroir Boutique Wine Shop, Old Tannery, Hermon Road, Wellington
www.wellingtonterroir.co.za
rooibos burger
Friday from 15:00
Truter Wine Lounge
Rooibos is one of South Africa’s most celebrated Fynbos species, enjoyed as a herbal tea for centuries. Today, this distinctive indigenous botanical is finding new expression in the kitchen, and at Truter Wine Lounge it brings an indigenous twist to their signature bacon-jam burger, available exclusively on Friday nights.
The wines are crafted by Hugo and Celeste Truter, partners in life and winemaking for more than 25 years, whose passion for Wellington inspired both the wine and the lounge.
Come for the burger, stay for the atmosphere. Enjoy Wellington’s warm evening air, a glass of Truter Wine, and the lively character of historic Bain Street.
Friday nights at Truter Wine Lounge celebrate the best of South African hospitality, pairing indigenous ingredients, locally made wines and good company in the heart of Wellington.
WhatsApp to Book 071 066 0301
26B Bain Street, Wellington central
www.truterfamilywines.co.za
Saturday
dominic courtney
Saturday 6:30–9:30
Bain's Kloof Contour Walk
Set out on Bain’s Kloof in the cool of the morning, when the mountain releases its most intoxicating scents and the day begins to stir. Follow the scenic contours of the Limietberg high above the Wellington valley. Meander down to the cool river pools and surrender to the visceral tranquillity of the mountain.
Dominic's walks are more than hikes: they are immersive journeys into the wild beauty, aromas and flavours of the Fynbos-covered mountains surrounding Wellington. Be guided along mountain paths that reveal dramatic views, hidden landscapes and the remarkable diversity of the Cape Floristic Region. Whether you are an experienced walker or simply seeking a memorable time outdoors, Dominic creates an adventure that is personal and engaging.
R750,00 per person (minimum 2 walkers, max 10)
WhatsApp Dominic 076 360 3415
@proof_of_life_adventures
mandy butler
Saturday 10:00–15:00
Fynbos Butter & Brioche Workshop
Join food researcher and biodynamic farmer Mandy Butler in her spectacularly scenic farm kitchen to make Fynbos butters and brioche inspired by ancient food traditions. Shape gloriously rich brioche dough, braiding it with care and intention before surrendering it to the heat, where it transforms into something utterly golden and irresistible. Unlock the ancient secrets of cultured butter, crafted the old way - slow, deliberate and deeply satisfying. Watch in wonder as the buttermilk gives way to the butter, and then, with reverence, fold in the wild, aromatic Fynbos herbs harvested from the slopes of the Hawequas Mountain. Crown the day with a farm lunch, celebrating real, nutrient dense food prepared with intention.
R1 800,00 per person (10 seats)
Mount Noble Farm, Dagklip Road, Blouvlei Valley, Wellington
@mountnoblefarm
dominic courtney
Saturday 16:00–18:00
Fynbos Mixology
Barcelona-trained mixologist Dominic invites you into his botanical cellar for an exploration of Fynbos infusions you can use to make cocktails with a distinctive South African twist.
Follow the flavour trail of eight distinctive botanicals as their layers unfold in complex spirit infusions and non-alcoholic shrubs.
Discover the chemistry of extraction, the distinctive flavour profiles of each Fynbos species and the art of translating wild plants into sophisticated drinks. This tasting adventure is an intriguing journey into the craft of Fynbos infusions.
R1 600,00 per person (12 Seats)
WhatsApp 076 360 3415
Clairvaux, Olyvenbosch Road, Blouvlei Valley, Wellington
www.southafricanfynbos.com
sunday
dominic courtney
Sunday 7:00-10:00
Bain's Kloof Contour Walk
Set out on Bain’s Kloof in the cool of the morning, when the mountain releases its most intoxicating scents and the day begins to stir. Follow the scenic contours of the Limietberg high above the Wellington valley. Meander down to the cool river pools and surrender to the visceral tranquillity of the mountain.
Dominic's walks are more than hikes: they are immersive journeys into the wild beauty, aromas and flavours of the Fynbos-covered mountains surrounding Wellington. Be guided along mountain paths that reveal dramatic views, hidden landscapes and the remarkable diversity of the Cape Floristic Region. Whether you are an experienced walker or simply seeking a memorable time outdoors, Dominic creates an adventure that is personal and engaging.
R750,00 per person (minimum 2 walkers, max 10)
WhatsApp Dominic 076 360 3415
@proof_of_life_adventures
philippe lelard
Sunday 9:00–12:00
Chocolate Sunday
Lazy mornings were made for chocolate...
Slip down to Wellington's historic Old Tannery for exclusive access to master chocolatier, Philippe Lelard's ateljier. Across more than 20 tasters, explore the Fynbos landscape through the imaginative elements of air, water, fire and earth - translating the aromas, flavours and textures of Cape Fynbos into an extraordinary tasting experience.
You'll also be invited into the chocolate factory to experiment, create and craft your own chocolates to take home - and, of course, expect a few chocolate stains along the way.
R2 500,00 per person (6 Seats)
WhatsApp 081 828 4166
The Old Tannery, Hermon Road, Wellington
www.chocolatierfarmer.co.za
what's in your glass
Sunday all day...
Wellington's Wine Estates & Restaurants
As you visit Wellington’s inimitable wine estates and restaurants, take a moment to muse on the relationship between vines and ancient vegetation. Across the lower slopes of the Wellington valley, ancient renosterveld meets the vineyards, while higher up, mountain Fynbos species cover the ascent of the Hawequas, Groenberg, Limietberg and Paardeberg mountains. Renosterveld is one of South Africa’s most threatened vegetation types, surviving today in increasingly fragmented pockets of the Western Cape. Its fertile soils make it particularly attractive for agriculture, leaving little of the original landscape intact. Look closely and you'll recognise two of its distinctive botanical characters: Rhino Bush and Snow Bush. These tenacious shrubs are part of the visual and aromatic signature of Wellington - reminders that beneath the vineyards lies a far older botanical story.
monday
dominic courtney
Monday 06:00 - 9:30
Bain's Kloof Contours and River Pools
Set out on Bain’s Kloof in the cool of the morning, when the mountain releases its most intoxicating scents and the day begins to stir. Follow the scenic contours of the Limietberg high above the Wellington valley. Meander down to the cool river pools and surrender to the visceral tranquillity of the mountain.
Dominic's walks are more than hikes: they are immersive journeys into the wild beauty, aromas and flavours of the Fynbos-covered mountains surrounding Wellington. Be guided along mountain paths that reveal dramatic views, hidden landscapes and the remarkable diversity of the Cape Floristic Region. Whether you are an experienced walker or simply seeking a memorable time outdoors, Dominic creates an adventure that is personal and engaging.
R750,00 per person (minimum 2 walkers, max 10)
WhatsApp Dominic 076 360 3415
@proof_of_life_adventures
ceilidh courtney
Monday 10:00 - 16:30
Drawn from The Earth Botanical Sketching Workshop
Immerse yourself in the sensory joy of the Cape floral kingdom with portrait artist and Jungian coach Ceilidh Courtney.
Set on a private farm dedicated to preserving endangered Renosterveld, this workshop invites you to forage, sketch and connect. Explore the intricate forms of ancient plants through drawing, press your discoveries and brew fragrant herbal infusions to taste as you create. With reflective journaling to guide your inner journey, this hands-on encounter blends artistic expression with deep sensory immersion. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, all levels are welcome. Fynbos tasters and all art materials are provided.
R3 700,00 Per Person (8 Seats)
WhatsApp 077 202 8747 or 066 2255 722
Wellington Wine Walk
Monday-Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Book well in advance for these popular seasonal walks, a convivial ramble from wine farm to wine farm, stopping along the way to taste local wines and farm-made produce. Along the route, knowledgeable guides share the stories, characters and insider knowledge that bring Wellington’s Fynbos and wine country to life. The Wellington Wine Walk has been a local institution for more than twenty years and what better way to explore the valley than on foot, glass in hand. All you carry is a light daypack.
Available in Spring and Autumn (owing to weather conditions)
WhatsApp Carol-Ann 083 532 4131
WhatsApp Elaine 083 235 5570
www.winewalk.co.za
why visit
Taste-Discover-Connect
There is a palpable vitality in the unspoilt landscape of Wellington, walk here and you are crossing deep time. Around five million years ago, Fynbos was evolving into one of the world’s great botanical kingdoms. Some 1.8 million years ago, early humans were shaping stone hand axes in this broader landscape - evidence not merely of survival, but of intention and design. Today, another kind of creativity flourishes here embodied by passionate innovators who have made Wellington their canvas. Every encounter on the Wellington Fynbos Trail builds upon the last, transforming curiosity into understanding and understanding into lasting connection.
Come for the landscape. Stay for the sense of life.
