The pace of the Namaqua West Coast might be slow, but change still happens. Clifford Roberts reports on some of the latest news.
The Namaqua West Coast is arguably most famous for its annual season but for those who venture off the beaten track to visit throughout the year, the region consistently ranks as a hidden gem.
In addition to the flowers, the Namaqua West Coast area incorporates places such as Vanrhynsdorp, Vredendal, Strandfontein and Doringbaai. It is a land of mountains, scrubby plains and rugged coastline.
Situated some 300km north of Cape Town, it is also wine country that has some of the most iconic tastings blended with the region’s tourism offerings. These continuously change, with new additions geared to provide visitors with an even richer experience.
A restaurant and new range for Namaqua Wines
Namaqua Wines, owner of amongst others the Cape West range, is the largest producer with capacity of 100 000 tons between its two wineries at Vredendal and Spruitdrift. The former is home to a Red Ox Steakhouse restaurant of the Northern Cape Famous Lodges Group, which opened in March 2025.
Furthermore, Namaqua Wines this year became the producer of the Group’s house wine range, comprising a red blend, white blend and rosé. At the launch, Group founder and owner Jean Lambrechts said the company is on a drive to expand its current 12 lodges with amongst others, the construction of a lodge at the entrance to the Kgalagadi National Park and take-over of restaurant facilities at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp.
The new house wine range is to be sold throughout the group’s liquor stores, restaurants and lodges.
A new pinot noir from Koekenaap
Fryer’s Cove produced Pinot noir in the past, but the heartbreak grape battled at its coastal location, says winemaker GM Liza Goodwin. Production ceased in 2019 until vineyards were planted at Koekenaap some 35 minutes away. Their first vintage – a 2024 – has since become available.
For those who haven’t visited the remarkable winery famous for its location beside a lighthouse and inside a former crayfish factory, it’s a must-do. The facilities have been substantially revamped since the brand’s was acquired in 2020 by the Wellington-based wine and spirit company DGB South Africa. Reasons to visit include its sea-water tank for wine maturation and its iconic Bamboes Bay Sauvignon Blanc.
Lutzville Vineyards tasting room revamp and chef
Most visitors to the region head for prominent destinations. This should include the tasting room at Lutzville Vineyards, which incorporates a café that serves breakfast and lunch, Monday to Saturday.
Most recently, this home to the flagship Francois Le Valliant range, has refreshed its tasting room. “We also have a new chef,” declares facility manager Catherine Visagie. Luchelle Nel hails from Calvinia, but hasn’t added such delicacies as skaapstertjies to the menu.
“Local residents are our biggest customers, and they can braai them at home,” she says. “They’re looking for something a little more… cosmopolitan!”
The team at Lutsville Vineyards is also excited about becoming main wine sponsor for the mid-November season opening function at famous West Coast restaurant, Muisbosskerm.
Take wine for your picnic to re-energised restaurant at Maskam Guest Farm
Wine may not be the first reason to visit Maskam Guest Farm, one of the premier locations for the region’s annual floral explosion. The farm does however welcome picnickers while supplying pre-booked picnics as well, in addition to having a restaurant and accommodation.
Ancarene van der Westhuizen, who owns the farm with husband Awie, says they’ve stepped up their focus on the restaurant over the past year. With good rains having fallen ahead of the 2025 flower season, blooms started to appear in July already.
Go slow at Bagdad Café
Nothing much changes at Bagdad Café, the quirky farmstall between Vanrhynsdorp and Nieuwoudtville, which is part of the charm. The story goes that Owen McGregor and his family exchanged the hustle and bustle of Cape Town for a quieter rural life. He took up the lease of an old farm building along the road, and opened a store in 2014. It took a while before it had a name, but found one when a friend stopped by and Owen wasn’t in. The friend called the owner. “Where are you?” Owen apparently asked. “Bagdad Café,” came the response, referencing the 1987 film about a remote desert truck stop.
The food is traditional with the highlight of the week being a Sunday buffet. Interesting to note is that despite it’s rough-diamond style, the food has been under the eye of a chef-on-the-rise. Owen’s son, William, occasionally helps when he can – between stints working in South Africa and France for chef restaurateur Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen.
Glamping and brandy at Letsati Lodge in Van Rynsdorp
Vanrhynsdorp has long been an overnight stop for holidaymakers travelling north from Cape Town. It’s the reason Letsatsi Lodge came about. The site, alongside the N7, was once home to a Catholic mission station and its historic church has been renovated and integrated into the facilities.
In addition to wines available at the lodge, it is also a rare stockist of select brandies made by small Kakamas distillery, Die Mas.
New at the lodge are its 12 new glamping-style accommodation units, with access to a dedicated swimming pool.
Take two at Teubes
The boutique, family owned Teubes Family Wines most recently added a red blend to its Teubes range of wines. Tasting the wine on home ground is of course, best, which is another reason to head for the cellar in Vredendal.
We always recommend taking at least two bottles – one for keeping and one for enjoying now.
The Johan Teubes Hand Crafted Signature Blend comprises dominant varieties of Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon, with touches of Merlot and Shiraz. It spent 18 months in French oak barrels.
