Aimee of the What The Food Show on 2oceansvibe Radio (Thursdays 18h15 – 20h00) had the chance to drive out to the Stellenbosch winelands to experience the unusual offering at Villiera Wines – unusual because they include a game drive as part of the whole experience!

Read about her first-hand experience:

“Imagine combining the delight of a wine estate with a safari experience. Villiera let’s you have it all.

I was treated to what can only be described as an unforgettable experience at Villiera, and could not recommend it more. I took along my best friend and sister to indulge in the beauty and wine that awaited us. Whilst the atmosphere generated at Villiera is laid-back and tranquil, our hosts did not skip a beat – we were welcomed like royalty and treated like it too.

The owner, Jeff Grier, is extremely hands-on and makes a point of coming out and greeting all of his guests in the sunny outdoor tasting courtyard and is always happy to offer advice on the tasting experience, as well as talk to his visitors on the interesting story behind the Villiera Wines brand.

In 2009, Villiera set aside 220 hectares of land as part of a wildlife sanctuary. The land is neighboured by two farms – The Cape Garden Centre and Wild Clover Farm. Together, the land has 12 dams and marshland, which attract huge bird-life. Thousands of indigenous trees adorn the space (by May 2012, 70 000 trees had been planted).

The game drive offers guests the opportunity to surround themselves in the wild. It is a perfect city escape. The sanctuary has introduced many species of buck, as well as wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, and bush pigs – so the two-hour drive should give you plenty of time to spot some game. Access to the sanctuary is gained through the beautiful vineyards.

To ensure complete and utter relaxation, Villiera insists you have a thorough wine-tasting before and after the game drives. They have very cleverly arranged for the game ranger to also be a wine taster extraordinaire and he expertly guided us through an educational tour of the game park, as well as leaving out very little detail in the intricacies of matching the various Villiera bubblies and wine brands with their home-made cheese and Turkish delight.

We had the most fantastic time and made our way back to Cape Town feeling rejuvenated. What a beautiful places to visit so near to us (such a lucky bunch!)”.