Exploring the Paarl Spice Route in the Cape Winelands

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Located in the heart of the Cape Winelands region, the Paarl Spice Route is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. This historic farm, established in 1693, offers a unique blend of art, culture, food, and wine, providing visitors with an authentic South African experience.

A Brief History

Originally known as “Leeuwenjagt,” the farm was renamed “Spice Route” in 1997 to pay tribute to the 15th-century mariners who traded Eastern spices in Europe. Today, the Spice Route is a vibrant hub of artisans showcasing their agricultural and artisanal products.

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Tasting Experiences

Visitors to the Spice Route can purchase a Spice Route passport, which serves as a guide to the various establishments and tasting experiences available. Five venues provide tastings with trained hosts, including wine, beer, chocolates, and cured meat tastings.

Dining Options

For those looking for a leisurely meal, the Spice Route offers three restaurants. La Grapperia Pizza & Bistro serves German-Italian cuisine and wood-fired pizzas, while Jewell’s Farm offers farm-to-table dining with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Ristorante Pasta Pasta specializes in authentic Italian breakfast and lunch dishes.

Unique Shopping Experience

The Spice Route also boasts a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, with a range of enticing boutiques. The Trading Company sells locally made homeware, games, jewelry, and toys, while Brenda’s offers hand-crafted produce made from natural, additive-free ingredients. Lucky Bamboo provides authentic, hand-crafted items for sale, while De Villiers Chocolate, South Africa’s first bean-to-bar artisanal chocolate maker, ensures all its cocoa bean suppliers are Rainforest Alliance Certified. Spice Route Wines offers a taste sensation with hand-crafted wines from the Swartland, and Jewell’s Charcuterie features bespoke, hand-crafted produce. Môigoeters is a creative space where visitors can purchase unique items or paint crockery pieces, and Wilderer Distillery showcases some of the world’s best gin, grappa, and eau de vie.

Plan Your Visit

To visit the Paarl Spice Route, head to Suid-Agter-Paarl Road in Southern Paarl. The Spice Route is open Monday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. With its rich history, diverse offerings, and scenic setting, this destination is sure to enchant and inspire visitors looking to explore the best of the Cape Winelands region.

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Zola Naidoo is a Cape Town journalist who chronicles the city’s shifting politics and the lived realities behind the headlines. A weekend trail-runner on Table Mountain’s lower contour paths, she still swops stories in her grandmother’s District Six kitchen every Sunday, grounding her reporting in the cadences of the Cape.

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