Eco & Wine Tour Adventures – Plettenberg Bay and Beyond

Hilary - The Winemom
17 minutes ago
4 min read

With summer just around the corner, Plett is buzzing with anticipation – lush indigenous forests, historic coastal trails, award-winning boutique vineyards and so much more!

Collage of sand dune, wine bottles, vineyard, and wine glass. Text: Eco & Wine Tour, Plettenberg Bay & Beyond. Relaxed vibe.

Join me as I recently revisited some of my favourite local gems with some of my favourite people, each location offering its own unique taste of Plett’s natural beauty and warm hospitality.

Map of the "Plett Eco & Wine Tour" with locations: Plettenberg Bay, Bitou, Luka, Robberg Nature Reserve, and Bramon. Ocean on the right.

My journey began with my sister out from London at the Trogon House & forest spa - an immersive escape to the treetops of a private forest reserve stretching along the Tsitsikamma Mountains and beyond… the perfect place to slow down, unwind, and reconnect with nature.

Outdoor deck with umbrella and chairs under a clear sky; indoor spa with stone fireplace, massage tables, green cloths, surrounded by forest.

Newstead

After a day of self-care, we headed to a personal favourite, Newstead…. always a crowd-pleaser, with lively summer solstice parties, Saturday artisan markets, or lazy picnics in the vineyard.

Their warm, welcoming tasting room and sun-soaked veranda overlook the Sauvignon Blanc vines, setting the scene for a long, leisurely lunch.

Color image of a wooden table with dishes of food, black-and-white image of two women toasting at a patio table with drinks and a menu. — Sister sips at Newstead.. of top-SA MCC bubbles!

Be sure to try their wood-fired pizzas, sharing platters (my sister and I shared the Greek platter – delicious!!), and Mediterranean-inspired dishes - there’s something for everyone.

Person sliding down sand dune under sunny sky; couple walking on sandy path towards ocean. Rugged coast in the background. — Running down the dunes towards the Robberg Island

Just 8 km south of Plett lies Robberg Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site and a must for nature lovers. The trails wind along dramatic coastal cliffs, offering breath-taking ocean views and, in season, sightings of dolphins, whales, and playful seals (we spotted two bronze whaler sharks swimming past the first seal colony!). End your perfect day with a spectacular sunset overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Bitou

One of the newer additions to the Plett Wine Route, Bitou Vineyards has become a local gem since opening in 2022. Set along the tranquil Bitou River, it’s a dreamy spot for wine tastings and relaxed lunches in the summer sun.

The menu is simple, fresh, flavourful, and family-friendly, with reasonable prices and gorgeous views to match. I recently visited with my friends Warren and Sabrina out for their annual weekend getaway from Pretoria, and had the delight of sampling their award-winning wines followed by a light lunch on the deck overlooking their vast vineyards and the foresty hills in the distance.

Wine tasting setup with five wine glasses, a plated dish with fries, a menu, and an outdoor view of patrons enjoying a scenic vineyard.

Our tasting consisted of their Bitou MCC Brut 2017 (fresh green apple notes with a gentle palate & balanced finish), Bitou Sauvignon/Semillon blend 2021 (dry yet approachable with a balance of acidity & complexity), Sassy Sauvignon/Semillon 2022 (an off-dry blend with strong notes of fruit), Miss Mo Rosé 2022 (a refined dry palate with a fruity aroma), and Bitou Malbec 2021 (a bold nose with vibrant aromas perfectly balanced by a smooth palate and rounded finish).

Five bottles of Bitou wine displayed with wine glasses and menu on a table, set in a modern restaurant with natural light and lively ambiance.

Bramon

One of my all-time favourite Plett wineries, Bramon, 10mins further in the Crags, is a delightful family-run boutique vineyard that paved the way for Plettenberg Bay’s “Sparkling Wine Route.”

Grape vineyard with lemon tree, bottle on a table, and sign: "These grapes are for drinking - not eating. Sauvignon Blanc." Cloudy sky.

It’s an idyllic setting for a leisurely picnic or tapas-style lunch (or in our case, a decadent pancake & deep-fried Lindt balls for dessert) under the trees surrounded by the Tsitsikamma Mountains.

Left: Plate with crepe and chocolate, wine bottle. Center: Outdoor seating with tree and lemons. Right: Dessert on a white plate. Relaxed mood.

What a wonderful afternoon of wine tasting topped off with a mouth-watering dessert. We were treated to their 2023 Red blend vintage, 2024 Chenin Blanc, and the 2018 MCC Sauvignon Blanc - one of Plett’s finest wines!

Wine bottles and glasses on a wooden table, with vineyard and mountains in the background. Text on wall: "Bramon, If not now, then when?" — Wine tasting at Bramon 'Uncork the moment!'

Luka

Luka Vineyards, a little slice of paradise along the Garden Route between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, in the Harkerville area, serves superb wines and delightful dishes with views over to the Knysna Elephant Park, making elephant & zebra sightings a regular occurrence (particularly at drinking time). They’re a charming child- (and dog-) friendly venue with a little play area alongside the lawn for the tots to clamber on.

Indulge in gourmet picnic baskets (choose between 2 unique picnic boxes @R725), platter lunches or a hearty breakfast of delicious locally sourced baked goods & pastries overlooking their tranquil gardens, vineyards & dam.

Cake, salad, and a flatbread with toppings on a wooden table. A person is eating cake. Warm and inviting café setting. Latte art visible.

Alongside their own vintages, Luka also offers an array of other local wines, bubbly, craft beer and gin – you’ll be spoilt for choice! My recent wine tasting included Boschendal Brut Rosé, Luka Flagship White, and De Morgenzon Syrah 2022.

A wooden table with wine glasses and bottles, featuring red, white, and sparkling wine. Brick wall and greenery visible in the background.

*Please note: all information is correct at the date of publication, November 2025. See websites below for up-to-date info!

Contact Me – Hilary - at hello@winetots.com for more details on your favourite spots to visit & to book a personalised eco & wine tour or bespoke event of your own – behind the scenic routes of the Plett & Cape Winelands & beyond!

Wine bottles and glasses on a wooden table outdoors. Labels read "Bramon." Overcast sky and vineyard in the background. Subtle, relaxed mood. — Bramon Wine Tasting, Plett Winelands

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Click here to check out our previous blog “Wines of the World: Hunter Valley, Australia ”!

Important info:

Trogon House and Forest Spa: https://www.trogonhouse.co.za/ ; reservations@trogonhouse.co.za ; 076 779 3849

Newstead: https://newsteadwines.com/ ; info@newsteadwines.com ; 076 300 9740

Opening Times: Wed-Sun 11am - 4pm

Robberg Nature Reserve: https://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/robberg-nature-reserve ; 087 087 3937 (general)/087 087 8250 (bookings)

Bitou: https://bitouvineyards.co.za/ ; info@bitouvineyards.co.za ; 044 004 0369

Opening Times: Wed-Sun 11am – 6pm

Bramon: https://www.bramonwines.co.za/; therestaurant@bramonwines.com ; 044 011 5031

Opening Times: Daily 11am - 4pm

Luka: https://www.lukavineyards.co.za/ ; laura@lukavineyards.co.za ; 076 575 4768

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 9am - 4pm