La Vierge Wines
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In Their Words
La Vierge History & Location
Meaning ‘The Virgin’ in French, La Vierge is a lovingly crafted wine farm which takes its bright and unique inspiration from the surrounding Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, which is also home to the famous whale-watching town of Hermanus. Located on an s-bend, the farm boasts the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy the surrounding landscape, while sipping on our award-winning wines or enjoying a dish from our unique menu.
The winery was originally built in 1997 by the Johnson family however after the La Vierge family purchased it, extensive renovations began. In 2007 these were completed and with them came the architecturally exciting winery you see today: a tasting room, restaurant, balcony and boules, a double volume winery and a sunken barrel maturation room.
Experience La Vierge in the best way possible, with a memorable tasting overlooking the very earth that produced the wine you’ll be enjoying. Complemented by scenery, art, architecture and cuisine, a visit with us is one that you won’t soon forget.
La Vierge Operating Hours
Wine Tasting: open daily, 10am-5pm.
B’s Stro Restaurant: open Tue to Sun, 11am-4pm.
Live Music: please contact the farm to check details.
During the Christmas festive period, the restaurant opens daily, 11am-7pm and is also open for dinner on selected evenings through the year. Please contact the farm to check. We are closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
*PLEASE NOTE*
All times, prices and facilities listed are subject to change. We recommend checking latest details directly with the farm and pre-booking experiences wherever possible, to avoid disappointment.
La Vierge Wine Tasting
The region is famous for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but also produces superb Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Semillon and Riesling. We offer a stunning array of both red and white wines, each of which tells its own unique story.
Our Tasting Room is setup in the bright and beautiful entrance of our winery, with breathtaking views of the rolling hills and mountains of the Hemel-en-Aarde at your feet. We also have an outdoor terrace for pleasant days.
We offer a Chocolate, Nougat & Wine Pairing, a Cheese, Charcuterie or Biltong platter or Deep Fried Brie with a bottle of Redemption. Pre-booking recommended.
Wine Tasting Prices
Standard wine tasting costs R40 for any 4 wines, excluding the Apogée Range and Royal Nymphomane (fee waived should you buy a case of 6 wines). R50 per taste for the Apogée Chardonnay, Apogée Pinot Noir or Royal Nymphomane (fee waived should you buy a bottle). The chocolate, nougat and wine pairing costs R80, platters from R195 and the deep fried brie and a bottle of Redemption is R185.
La Vierge Restaurants
B’s Stro, run by the famous steak-master Bruce, offers a unique menu that complements the La Vierge wine range perfectly and is only enhanced by the beautiful scenery surrounding our little corner of Heaven and Earth. Enjoy canapés out on the sunny open-air deck or sit insude among artworks and massive, floor-to-ceiling windows which showcase the valley.
Menus & Pricing
Previous menu items have included Calamari and Beef Tartare to start, plus salads, steaks, grilled lamb, linefish and Cape Malay Babotie for mains. Main courses from R145.
La Vierge Tours & Activities
Currently La Vierge do not offer cellar tours however are hugely popular for private functions, weddings and corporate events. With stunning views out over the valley, superb food and service, the winery is an excellent choice for a memorable special occasion. Please contact the Estate and they will be able to assist.
When Lucy Visited
Fun, playful and friendly! That’s really the essence of La Vierge, which is a great spot for groups of friends to get together to enjoy a wide selection of wines with seductive names, great views, casual food – and even a spot of boules!
So What Makes La Vierge Stand Out?
Firstly, it’s pink. Bright pink! If you’re driving up the winding R320 mountain road you can’t miss La Vierge. Partly because it’s pink, yes, but also because it occupies a prime roadside spot about half way up, with panoramic views over the lower Hemel en Aarde valley.
As soon as you enter, you realise this is a wine farm that doesn’t take itself too seriously (its wine, yes – but not itself!). They’ve created a really playful, sociable spot that’s always a hive of activity for adult groups. Coupled with a popular steak restaurant, a wide selection of wines, really friendly service and great views it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most visited wine farms in the valley.
So What About The Farm Itself?
As mentioned, it’s an easy drive to La Vierge from any direction and it’s well signposted. If you don’t want to drive however, I know there is a hop on hop off ‘wine safari tour’ operated by the Hermanus Wine Hoppers which stops here.
Due to La Vierge’s fairly unique hillside position, there is no green space (i.e. lawns etc) but instead they have made every inch of what they do have interesting. As you enter, you’re treated to towering stainless steel wine tanks before crossing into the inside section of the tasting area. Here you have a few tables, comfy chairs and sofas surrounded by bright artworks, funky posters, sculptures and artifacts which tease you with their Adam and Eve story of temptation and sense of playful (pink) humour.
This area then leads to either the large indoor restaurant with its floor to ceiling windows, or to the outside tasting patio, complete with boules sandpit. Here you have great photo angles and opportunities, with sweeping vistas down and across the valley. On a sunny day there is usually plenty of outdoor seating, on wetter days you can sit inside the restaurant and still have a great view.
What About The Wine Tasting?
La Vierge has been making cool climate premium wine in the HEA Valley for nearly 15 years. Translating from French as ‘the Virgin’, the inspiration for the name came from the unspoiled virgin terroir on which its vines were first planted. Being located in ‘Heaven and Earth’ (Hemel en Aarde), La Vierge found their story reminiscent of the sacred, untouched Garden of Eden – and so their wines tell of the linked story of Adam and Eve, with wine names ranging from Original Sin and Jezebelle, to the Last Temptation, Seduction and The Affair. As with many wine farms of the area, they specialise in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but offer quite a wide range to suit most palates.
I was hosted on this visit so was given 6 of their most popular wines, however prices start from just R40 for any 4 (bottles cost from R85!). You can order by the bottle and their styles range from light and soft to bolder and heavier. Something for everyone. What is so nice is that the staff REALLY know these wines inside out, so you can tell them your preference and they’ll match wines to you.
Their Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon ‘Original Sin’ was typically green with asparagus and pepper however the Semillon gave it a really smooth and full mouth feel with melon notes – delicious. Of their two Chardonnays I loved ‘Jezebelle’ which was oaked for just 10 months and had an aromatic lime freshness coupled with that typical oaked butteryness. Yum! Of the reds, I really liked their heavier Pinot Noir ‘the Affair’, which was more medium bodied and complex. If you prefer a lighter Pinot, go for ‘Seduction’.
I didn’t eat this time around but I know they offer various types of platters to accompany wine – plus a nougat and wine pairing. The restaurant itself was really busy when we arrived, with groups ranging from couples up to one large group of 20, however they have plenty of seating and seemed to be in control. I understand La Vierge are really popular for events, parties and weddings and I can see why as the space is light and airy, with great views. In my opinion generally day to day, this is a great spot for catch ups with friends, rather than a romantic interlude. Children are welcome but note there are no specific facilities apart from boules, which is first come, first served.
In Summary
A fun and friendly wine farm with great views and a wide selection of crowd pleasing wine, ideal for groups who are looking for a relaxed afternoon with lots of laughter, casual food and good service.
Top Tip!
I arrived around 90 mins before La Vierge closed and this was the perfect time: many of the peak lunchtime visitors had left and we had our pick of the best seats outside, plus the sun was lighting up the valley below beautifully. We also received very attentive service.
