Towns · Robertson and Route 62

Robertson

Below the Langeberg the Breede runs through a broad, dry valley. On its limestone soils grow more Chardonnay vines than anywhere else in the country.

Early evening in Robertson. The heat of the day still hangs between the houses, the sky above the Langeberg to the north loses its blue, and the Pink Church of 1859 catches the last of the light. Robertson is the largest town in Langeberg Municipality, yet the council sits in smaller Ashton. Robertson Tourism calls this the valley of wine, horses and roses. The 2011 census counted 27,715 residents; Wikidata gives 21,929 without a clear source.

Chardonnay, the largest area in the country (SAWIS 2025)
1,746 ha
wineries in Robertson Wine Valley
50+
founded
1853
from central Cape Town via the N1 and R60
157 km

Robertson was founded in 1853 and named after Dr William Robertson, a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. First came wagon building, then ostrich farming after the Boer War, then wine and fruit after the First World War, and later racehorse studs. In 1909 South Africa's first irrigation congress met here. That was no accident: rain is scarce and the Breede River is the lifeline. Just how scarce is disputed, with figures from around 255 to over 400 millimetres a year.

The Robertson wine district has 13,067 hectares of vines and, at 1,746 hectares, the largest Chardonnay area in the country, plus more than half of South Africa's Muscat Blanc, the grape behind white Muscadel (SAWIS, as of the end of 2025). Graham Beck makes nothing but Cap Classique and credits the limestone soils for its fresh acidity. Robertson Wine Valley counts more than 50 wineries, including McGregor, Bonnievale, Ashton and Montagu (as of September 2026). Then came May 2026. In the middle of the month the Breede carried its worst flood in over a hundred years, peaking on 13 May at more than 2,000 cubic metres a second, even though Robertson itself saw only 20 millimetres of rain. At Springfield 90 of 220 hectares went under water; at Van Loveren the water stood up to two metres deep in the cellar, and the tasting room stayed shut for weeks.

Time needed
two nights if you add McGregor, Bonnievale or Montagu
When
late October for the Sip & Savour festival, held on 31 October and 1 November 2026 at Rietvallei (as of September 2026)
From Cape Town
157 km, 110 minutes

Our tipAsk ahead how far an estate has recovered from the flood. Springfield and Van Loveren list opening hours again in September 2026, although Van Loveren has made no explicit reopening announcement. Whether the boat trips at Viljoensdrift are running again is unclear. For birds, head to Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve about 15 kilometres south on the road to McGregor, where CapeNature counts 175 species.

Wine estates in and around Robertson

Places to stay in Robertson

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Ballinderry The Robertson Guest House9.7/10

GuesthouseRobertson and Route 62

Ballinderry The Robertson Guest House

8, Le Roux Street

  • Pool
  • Breakfast
  • Restaurant
  • Parking

from €148per night on 14 April 2027

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The Grand Hotel Robertson9.5/10

HotelRobertson and Route 62★★★★★

The Grand Hotel Robertson

28 White Street

  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Breakfast
  • Restaurant

from €157per night on 27 November 2026

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The Robertson Small Hotel9.5/10

HotelRobertson and Route 62★★★★★

The Robertson Small Hotel

58 Van Reenen St

  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Breakfast
  • Restaurant

from €178per night on 14 April 2027

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Orange Grove9.4/10

GuesthouseRobertson and Route 62★★★★★

Orange Grove

Orange Grove Farm

  • Pool
  • Breakfast
  • Kitchen
  • Parking

from €139per night on 14 April 2027

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Mo & Rose at Soekershof9.4/10

GuesthouseRobertson and Route 62★★★★

Mo & Rose at Soekershof

Klaasvoogds West, Route 62

  • Pool
  • Breakfast
  • Restaurant
  • Parking

from €163per night on 14 April 2027

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Petal's Place9.3/10

GuesthouseRobertson and Route 62★★★

Petal's Place

58 Reitz Street

  • Pool
  • Breakfast
  • Parking
  • Air conditioning

from €66per night on 7 November 2026

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All 17 places to stay in Robertson

Wines from Robertson to order

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All wines from the Winelands

Robertson: frequently asked questions

How badly did the May 2026 flood hit the wineries around Robertson?

The Breede flood in mid-May 2026 was the worst around Robertson in over a hundred years. At Springfield 90 of 220 hectares of vines were under water and at Van Loveren the water stood up to two metres deep in the cellar; both list opening hours again in September 2026.

Which wines is Robertson known for?

The Robertson wine district has the largest Chardonnay area in South Africa, plenty of Sauvignon Blanc and more than half of the country's Muscat Blanc, the grape behind white Muscadel. Graham Beck near Robertson makes only Cap Classique and credits the limestone soils for its fresh acidity.

How far is Robertson from Cape Town?

Robertson is 157 kilometres from central Cape Town, just under two hours without traffic via the N1 and then the R60 from Worcester. Robertson Tourism says an hour and a half.

How many wineries are there in Robertson Wine Valley?

Robertson Wine Valley counts more than 50 wineries as of September 2026, including the estates around McGregor, Bonnievale, Ashton and Montagu.