Walker Bay

Walker Bay is located in the Cape Overberg Region, about an hour from Cape Town. It  is a cool-climate wine area that produces some of South Africa's greatest wines. With a marine environment and Antarctic currents cooling the long heated summers and delaying grape ripening, wines from this region have tremendous fruit concentration as well as exuberant natural acidity. The region is well-known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as its crisp, mineral Sauvignon Blanc, and it also produces wines from Merlot and Syrah, among other grapes.

Hermanus, the area's major hub, is particularly well-known for the sightings of whales in Walker Bay. Walker Bay has become a popular tourist destination in South Africa as a result of this, as well as the town's thriving wine industry. Walker Bay wines are garnering attention on a global scale, and local wine farms offer lots of possibilities for wine sampling. 

Check out the wineries in Walker Bay to get the memorable whale watching and wine tour experiences.

Where is the Walker Bay Wine Region?

Walker Bay is a picturesque coastal nature reserve nestled in the Southwestern Cape of South Africa, precisely to the east of the charming town of Hermanus. Comprising five unique coastal zones that span from Klein River all the way to De Kelders at Gansbaai, Walker Bay is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. Its largest section, also known as Walker Bay, extends towards Die Dam near Struisbaai. This vibrant area, with its remarkable biodiversity and scenic vistas, offers visitors an immersive experience into the rich natural heritage of the Southwestern Cape.

Walker Bay wine region, located 60 miles from Cape Town, is one of the Western Cape's famed wine-growing regions, stretching between Bot River to the north and Sunday's Glen to the east. The Hemel-el-Aarde Valley, which stretches from the coastal village of Hermanus, is home to the region's most thriving vineyards.

Unique terroir of Walker Bay Wine Region

Walker Bay enjoys a maritime climate influenced by the region's proximity to the ocean. The southeast ocean breezes keep the region cool during long, bright summers. The weather helps the grapes to ripen slowly while keeping the organoleptic characteristics intact. 

Vineyards in the Hemel-el-Aarde region have clayey soil, while Bokkeveld has finely grained shale type. Another kind of soil found in Walker Bay is sandstone, packed with clay content. These well-drained soils with exceptional water retention are ideal for growing quality grapes. Vines should work harder to reach the water stored in the soil below, causing them to develop deep root systems. Because yields are smaller, the grapes have a higher concentration of taste and fragrance. These conditions are perfect for white varietals, such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. 

What is Walker Bay Wine?

Walker Bay wine region is famed for its white varietals including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The region is also known for the exceptional and consistent quality of its  Pinot Noir and Shiraz. The fruity reds and whites are finely balanced and considered among the world's top organic wines; they are available at the Gabrielsklook Winery. 

White wines from Walker Bay are a beautiful straw hue with greenish accents. The wine has a fresh, creamy, full, powerful flavor with hints of exotic fruits and barely discernible salty characteristics. The aftertaste is rich in siliceous and mineral tones. The wine smells like freshly cut grass, figs, nettles, lemongrass, and fascinating sea aromas.

Food to Pair with Walker Bay wine

1. Asparagus a la Flamande

Asparagus a la Flamande is a traditional Flemish meal that consists of cooked white asparagus topped with mashed hard-boiled eggs, butter, lemon juice, and parsley. There are different variants on the meal, so some cooks choose to top it with ham, salmon, or shrimp. It is advisable to garnish this beautiful meal with a sprinkling of smoked coarse salt.

2. Mackerel Bap, Fish Sandwich From England 

Mackerel bap is an English fish sandwich invented by chef Tim Maddams at River Cottage Canteen in Axminster. The sandwich is prepared with mackerel filets that have been coated in flour, covered in beaten eggs, fried in high oil until golden and crispy, and then topped with tartare sauce or mayonnaise that has been mixed with lemon juice. 

3. Duck Breast Magret de Canard 

This flash-seared duck breast dish goes back to the late 1950s, when French chef André Daguin first dressed a magret like a steak and served it medium-rare. Typically, the meat is served thinly sliced and somewhat pink on the interior. 

The breast is often sliced from the mulard duck, a hybrid between the Pekin and the Muscovy duck. Because this duck breed is grown for foie gras, its breast flesh is thicker and more tasty than other duck breeds.

Places to visit in Walker Bay

1. Indulge in Rich History and Adventurous Activities like Sea Kayaking, Wildlife Viewing, Hiking, etc.

Walker Bay wine region has been entertaining tourists, wine lovers, and adventurers since 1999, offering them tons of activities to fill in. One of them is a tour of the Tip of Africa, one of the oldest lighthouses in South Africa. In addition, the region offers a one-of-a-kind tour of various beaches, wineries, gardens, and much more. Take a trip to Strand, a coastal town located in False Bay, and stop by to mingle with the penguins of Stony Point. Walker Bay also offers private tours that include a drive through the 'Apple Country' and whale watching at Hermanus.

2. Waller Bay Nature Reserve, Unspoiled Natural Beauty

Walker Bay Nature Reserve spans from Klein River to De Kelders in Gansbaai (very famous for Great white shark diving) and is an untouched piece of paradise. The area's pristine sandy beach, Die Plaat, is surrounded by jagged limestone outcrops and the odd southern right whale offshore. The picturesque Klein River lagoon, located north-west of the reserve, occasionally spills into the sea. Walker Bay is a beautiful, natural reserve with a plethora of coastal and marine species. You may tour the magnificent Klipgat Cave. It is thought that humans from the Stone Age lived here, and entering the cave explains why. It is vast and stunning, and gazing upon pristine natural beauty may just restore your faith in humanity.

3. Immersive Whale Watching Experience in Hermanus

Hermanus is a tiny tourist town and one of South Africa's oldest communities. Every year, from July to December, hundreds of these massive beasts travel to Walker Bay to give birth to cubs. Whales come extremely near to the beach and may be seen from special viewing platforms built onto coastal cliffs. When the whale approaches close to the beach, a trained "whale sentry" announces over a megaphone to alert everyone to this amazing event.  The World Wide Fund for Nature ranks Hermanus as one of the top 12 spots in the world for whale viewing, with more than 20 individuals seen in the harbor at the same time on certain days.

Frequently Asked Questions