Whilst on our recent visit to South Africa we needless to say visited their famed wine estates. It is a particular hobby of ours and one that can be indulged totally on the Cape Wine Route, which has many and varied wine estates, all wonderfully different and making it as difficult to choose which wine estate to visit as a child in a sweetie shop agonising over what sweets to purchase with their precious pennies!

Amongst our visits this time were a couple of estates that merit special mention, Graham Beck and Guardian Peak, which is part of the Ernie Els wine estates.

Ernie Els needs no introduction to those golfers amongst us who know him as one of the world’s top golfers who brings a quiet confidence to his game. His craftsmanship and talent in the game of golf have spilled over into one of his other passions in life - wine. Guardian Peak wine estate is testament to the man himself.

We discovered Guardian Peak because I had planned to find Hidden Valley, which sounded the perfect place to go for lunch! Always starting out with my stomach in mind, I plan our wine tours around the food element, then see what other estates are within a short distance for us to taste their wines.

Guardian Peak is not even listed on the John Platter maps! You will need to look under Ernie Els, which is a stones throw across the valley off the same road. We headed across country from Woodbridge Island in Table Bay north to the Stellenbosch outskirts on the R44 to Strand.

Taking the little route up into the mountains, we pass a number of other wine estates on our way up the valley.

Looking appealing in the bright summer sun and ever one for an adventure especially where wine is concerned, although we could find no information about it, we decide to stop and taste.

Perched on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain range, Guardian Peak’s views are breathtaking! A lovely terrace leans out into the surrounding countryside and becomes one with nature whilst you sip your wines, all the time being fanned by cooling mists of water from the overhead air conditioning. Meanwhile your wines are served by very knowledgable and friendly staff who ooze with the same quiet confidence that Ernie himself exudes and which is evident throughout his many business interests.

The wines are like the view - quite breathtaking! You will have to taste to understand. Let the flavours of South Africa seep through you whilst you soak up that view and feel complete relaxation flood your body as you immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Did we make it to Hidden Valley?

No - being holiday time it was full, but to be truthful we had already discovered a gem. Next visit to the South African wine route will include a booking for lunch and another tasting of those superb Guardian Peak wines.

So what about Graham Beck, I hear you say? I’ll reveal all tomorrow …