Bramon is a boutique wine estate situated in a mountainous area of Plettenberg Bay called The Crags, just 20 kms from the town itself. The first estate in the area to pioneer vineyards in 2000, Bramon have pushed the boundaries of wine-making with their award-winning, non-traditional and traditional Méthode Cap Classique bubblies and still wines, collecting national and international awards.
Plettenberg Bay in South Africa (simply known as Plett) is a seaside town located along the scenic and renowned ‘Garden Route’. It is a popular holiday destination known for its beautiful beaches, adventure activities and spectacular natural surroundings.
One of the youngest wine regions in the country, Plett obtained ‘Wine of Origin’ status in 2005 and there are now over 10 wine producers in the area. Due to its relatively cool climate, it is ideal for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and bubbly Cap Classique.
Plettenberg Bay has a small airport connecting visitors from Johannesburg or Cape Town, or a larger airport is located around 90 mins’ drive away, in George. The distance from Plettenberg Bay to Cape Town is around 6 hours by road.
In 1487 Plett was charted by Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias who named it Bahia das Alagoas, meaning “Bay of Lagoons”. 90 years later cartographer Manuel da Perestrello arrived in the area and changed its name to Bahia Formosa, meaning “Beautiful Bay”.
Archaeological findings point to descendants of the Khoi people inhabiting the Plettenberg Bay area for thousands of years, however the first record of European settlers dates back to 1630. 100 Portuguese sailors were stranded after their ship, the San Conḉalo sank while on their way back from India. They befriended the local Khoi people and settled in the area.
Later with the arrival of Dutch settlers, the area was renamed after Governor Joachim von Plettenberg. He integrated the town under the administrative sovereignty of the Dutch East India Company in 1778.
Plettenberg Bay then became a refuelling station for ships travelling to the east, and a shipping port for the transportation of timber. It also became a whaling station which was active until 1920. Tourism in the town began to boom between 1960-1990 and with over 300 days of sunshine a year, is now one of the key contributors to the local economy.
The Plett Wine Route stretches from Harkerville in the west (an area between Plett and Knysna known as the ‘Garden of Eden’) to ‘The Crags’, 20kms east of Plett itself.
Plettenberg Bay is the smallest wine growing region in South Africa, occupying only 58 hectares. It is also one of the youngest, with the first grapes being planted in 2001 by the first owners of Bramon Wine Estate, Caroline and Peter Thorpe.
The area enjoys a relatively cool climate due to its proximity to the sea and the Outeniqua Mountains. As a result, the grapes in this area take longer to reach maturity, with the harvest season lasting from February until April.
Plett currently produces several Cap Classique wines (a type of sparkling wine), earning it the name “The Bubbly Route”. It also produces Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chenin Blanc and Sémillon. There are currently 12 wine farms and vineyards in the area, all within a 45km radius. Most are open to the public, either for tastings or overnight accommodation and offer a very local, tourist-friendly vibe.
There are plenty of exciting things to do in Plettenberg Bay. There are a few Plett wine tours where you can explore wine farms by horse & carriage, on horseback, on a self-drive or on foot.
Plett also hosts an annual Wine & Bubbly Festival in March where you can taste wines from the various wine farms and enjoy artisan food.
If you want a break from wine tasting, there are an abundance of activities in Plettenberg Bay to keep the whole family entertained. Hit the sandy beach, venture out on a river cruise, spot seasonal whales, horseride, hike in the nearby nature reserves and enjoy a variety of family-friendly wildlife encounters.
Looking to spend the weekend? Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay is plentiful, with a ton of Airbnb’s, guesthouses, hotels, lodges and self-catering accommodation.
For more information on Plettenberg Bay, please visit : www.plettwinelands.com.
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