Spice Route Destination

On the Suid-Agter-Paarl Road, beneath the granite dome of Paarl Rock, a historic wine farm dating back to 1693 has been transformed into one of the Western Cape's most vibrant artisan destinations. The property was originally named Leeuwenjagt, meaning 'hunting lions,' and for three centuries it passed through hands as a working agricultural estate. In 1997, wine pioneer Charles Back stumbled across the farm and recognised its potential. He had already found exceptional old-vine Swartland grapes on a nearby tobacco farm called Klein Amoskuil, and saw Leeuwenjagt as the perfect base to craft and showcase those wines. The result was Spice Route Destination, named in tribute to the historical mariners who traded Eastern spices along the sea route past the Cape in the fifteenth century.

What sets Spice Route apart from any other wine farm in the region is its concept: a curated collection of independent artisans, each a leader in their field, brought together in a single location. The destination is not a winery with a restaurant attached. It is a village of makers. Spice Route Wines produces bold, Swartland-character wines in small batches. Cape Brewing Company brews premium craft beers under brewmaster Wolfgang Koedel. Wilderer Distillery, South Africa's first craft distillery founded in 1995, has won over a hundred international awards for its grappas, eau de vie, and botanical gins. The Chocolate Room, created by Belgian-born chocolatier Kees Beyers, offers handcrafted chocolate tastings. Jewell's Restaurant and Charcuterie, run by chef Neil Jewell and wife Tina, serves celebrated farm-to-table cuisine with house-cured meats. La Grapperia Pizza and Bistro pairs wood-fired pizzas with Wilderer spirits in a relaxed beach-bar setting.

Beyond food and drink, the farm hosts Brendas, a deli specialising in additive-free preserves and internationally inspired spice blends; The Trading Company, an eclectic decor shop curating local creative talent; Sweet Angels, an artisanal confectionery using only pure natural ingredients; and Nigiro Tea, a specialty tea house offering guided tea tastings. For the active visitor, Paarl Adventure Trails provides mountain biking and trail running routes ranging from a gentle 2.5km to a challenging 35km, all starting from the farm. Pilates for Life and Beauty is Life round out the wellness offerings.

The tasting experience at Spice Route is built around the Passport system. For R320 per person, visitors choose any four tastings from across the entire destination, creating a self-guided journey through wine, beer, spirits, chocolate, charcuterie, tea, ice cream, or spice blending. An Explorer Voucher at R80 offers a single tasting for tour groups. For younger visitors, the Junior Adventurer's Passport at R215 includes a scavenger hunt, creative workshops, and a pizza lunch.

With magnificent views of the Simonsberg Mountains and Table Mountain in the distance, Spice Route Destination proves that a wine farm can be far more than wine. It is a place where craft, community, and the spirit of discovery come together under the Paarl sun.