Diggers Home Estate is situated in Tulbagh amongst the beautiful, tranquil mountain ranges. Just a 1 hour 30 min drive from Cape Town, our tasting room is surrounded by dams, mountains and vineyards.
We look forward to welcoming you for a tasting or lunch – please note we are also dog friendly and have space for kids to play on our lawn.
The rural mountain basin town of Tulbagh is nestled in a serene valley surrounded by spectacular mountains to the north, east and west.
Just a 90 min drive north east of Cape Town, Tulbagh was established in the early 1700s and is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. Discovered initially by European migrants in 1658, the valley was formally settled by 14 farmers in 1699, fully developing from around 1743 onwards.
In 1804 the town was officially named after Ryk Tulbagh, the former Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony. Despite a devastating earthquake which took place in 1969, the town boasts many beautifully restored buildings in the Cape Dutch, Victorian and Edwardian styles.
Many of the farms established in the valley cultivated vines from the start, however it was only around 1940 that the serious production and export of wines began. Twee Jonge Gezellen was the first estate to introduce night harvesting to South Africa, with many wine farms in Tulbagh following suit.
The geography of the Tulbagh Basin provides attractive and diverse viticulture conditions. To the south, the valley is open to cooling breezes. This cool air is trapped by the surrounding mountains and helps to lower the daytime temperatures.
There are many different soil types found in the higher mountain slopes compared to the river plains. This gives wine farms the opportunity to experiment with different grape varieties to produce excellent quality wines.
Tulbagh has many wine estates in and around the town. There are currently 11 member estates on the Tulbagh Wine Route, which includes historic wine farms and state-of-the-art cellars.
Shiraz is the most-planted red variety in Tulbagh, while Chenin Blanc is the most important on the white wine scene. Nevertheless, you can expect to find Pinotage, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc when you visit a Tulbagh winery. The Krone label from Twee Jonge Gezellen also produces an excellent Cap Classique..
A wine tasting trip around the Tulbagh area will not leave you disappointed. In addition to a wide variety of wines on offer, produce from the region’s olive groves and fruit orchards provide an excellent complement to wine tastings. Many wine farms in the area have their own restaurants and are available for functions and events.
The unspoiled natural beauty of the valley provides stunning views. Enjoy outdoor tastings and soak up picturesque rural vistas and warm country hospitality.
As Cape Town to Tulbagh is just a 90-minute drive, it makes for an ideal day trip. If you wish to spend more time in the area, you can find a variety of accommodations. Luxury units and self-catering cottages are available in town and on scenic wine estates.
Besides the numerous wine tastings to enjoy, Tulbagh also offers other interesting attractions and fun activities. Walk down Church Street and admire the historic architecture. Take a trip to the Earthquake Museum to learn about the impact this event had on Tulbagh’s residents and the local viticulture.
If you want to get active, the mountains surrounding Tulbagh offer great opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. An easy walk will take you to the gushing waterfalls where you can cool your feet. Or try something new and take a tour of the wine farms on horseback. Tulbagh’s small town charm offers a relaxing experience for wine lovers of all ages.
For more information, please visit: www.tulbaghwineroute.com
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