La Vierge is a family estate set in the quiet folds of the Hemel-en-Aarde. More than twenty years ago, Peter Clarke planted dryland vineyards on untouched soils on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, and the family continues to farm here with the same belief that good wine begins with good land. The setting is striking. The vineyards lie in a natural amphitheatre of clay-rich Bokkeveld shale, open to the surrounding weather systems and cooled by coastal and mountain air from the Babilonstoring peak. These conditions give the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay a calm, clear expression of the Ridge.
The La Vierge Tasting Room overlooks the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and offers a relaxed setting for tastings and pairings. The views are breathtaking and panoramic, and families often settle in at an easy pace to enjoy the wines, including the Estate Chardonnay which received a Gold medal at the IWSC. From mid-December, the Tasting Room also hosts Summer Sunset Sessions, where guests can unwind to live music while the valley moves into evening light.
Beside the Tasting Room is the La Vierge Restaurant. Here, the wine leads. Meals are prepared with fresh, local ingredients, and the sharing plates are shaped to complement the wines. It’s an inviting place for family and friends to spend time together over simple, well-made dishes. A kiddies menu is available.
Visitors can discover two wine ranges. The Estate wines highlight selected vineyard blocks, while the Story Teller Collection pairs limited wines with labels inspired by fables from the Indian Ocean Islands. All fruit comes from the farm, keeping the wines closely tied to their origin.
Eight kilometres further up the valley lies the La Vierge Farm on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Life moves at a gentler pace here. Oak Cottage sits at the centre of the farm and is one of the oldest buildings in the valley. The deli serves fresh bread, cheeses, preserves, raw honey, baked treats, local artisanal favourites, and light meals. Tastings and pairings run throughout the day, and the lawns around the cottage offer open space for vineyard picnics. Guided walks through the vines introduce visitors to the farm, the vineyard blocks and the dry-land farming approach.
La Vierge offers two distinct locations to enjoy: the Tasting room and Restaurant in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley and the farm on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Each has its own character, yet both reflect the same family story and connection to the land.
WINE TASTING TIMES
Monday - Friday | 10h00 - 17h00
Saturday - Sunday | 10h00 - 17h00
RESTAURANT TIMES
Tuesday - Sunday | 10h00 - 17h00
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
