Don’t be fooled by the quiet country village facade. There are plenty of things to do in and around McGregor that will make a weekend stay unforgettable.
They say that McGregor is the place that time forgot. With its whitewashed, thatched cottages, quiet streets and prevailing sleepy atmosphere it definitely feels that way, but don’t be fooled by this facade. There is plenty to do in and around this country village that will make a weekend stay unforgettable.
1. Tanagra Wine Farm
In 2009 a business consultant and a professor of linguistics bought a farm in McGregor and swapped business suits and a comfortable life in Germany for nature and winemaking. Since then Robert and Anette Rosenbach have been producing boutique wines, Marc (Grappa in Italian) and Eau de Vie (fruit spirits).
Visit Tanagra Wine Farm on your way to McGregor (where you will be met by an exuberant dog) and take a tour of the distillery which houses a 200 litre copper pot still, brought all the way from Germany. Taste their wines and grappa in the tasting room, which also doubles up as an office. If you enjoy the tastings a little too much (trust me, that Marc goes to your head quickly) they also offer accommodation on the farm. Look out for the giant fig tree when you arrive – it’s the reason the farm is called Tanagra, which is a Khoisan expression for “main shade.”
Tel 023 625 1780, email [email protected], www.tanagra-wines.co.za
2. McGregor Wines
Established in 1948, the McGregor Winery has a proud Scottish heritage and they claim in every bottle of wine produced there is a story of a very special place – a timeless village at the foot of the Riviersonderend Mountains that oozes charm and tranquility. The winery produces approximately 9 million litres of wine from 12 000 tons of grapes, including Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombar, Shiraz, Pinotage, Merlot, Ruby Cabernet and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pop in, relax and enjoy a tasting every day of the week, except Sundays. They are also open on most public holidays. In between tastings, look out for their quaint postcards.
Tel 023 625 1741, email [email protected], www.mcgregorwinery.co.za
3. Post Office Whisky Bar
John Oldham, whose stories are almost as good as his whiskies, opened The Post Office Pub just over a year ago because when he came to McGregor, “there was no pub and even worse, no whisky!” This whisky connoisseur started out as an electrical contract worker and has visited roughly 90% of the distilleries in Scotland. His knowledge and love of whisky will have you sitting in his pub for many an hour while he regales you with life stories and plies you with fine malts. There are close to 100 whiskies on his shelves, some of which will set you back R200 a shot, but don’t panic, John comes from working class stock in Manchester so he also stocks whiskies in a working man’s price range.
John believes that whisky is for sharing and the pub is open every day of the week from 17:30. It’s worth a visit, even if you are not a whisky fan – I can attest to having changed my mind about whisky after spending a few hours in John’s company. But there are also beers on tap if you fancy a cold one and a simple menu if you feel peckish.
Tel 023 625 1571 or 083 258 6261.
4. The Art Route
Small sleepy country towns and artists go hand-in-hand and McGregor is no different. There are plenty of artists here and a dedicated Art Route through the town that takes you to 10 galleries. Meet potters, jewellery and chandelier makers, sculptors and oil painters. I particularly enjoyed the ethereal artworks of Edna Fourie and the pottery at Millstone Pottery.
A brochure with a map, opening times and contact details is available at the Tourism Office on Voortrekker Road.
Tel 023 625 1954, www.tourismmcgregor.co.za
5. The Saturday Morning Market
Held in the church square on Saturday mornings at 09:00, this is where you’ll find the locals, selling and buying fresh produce and baked treats along with preserves, jams and jewellery. It’s generally over within an hour or two, so no hitting that snooze button if you want to make it in time! Unfortunately I am good at hitting the snooze button so I am going to be honest and say that I have never made it to the Saturday market. However, it’s definitely on my McGregor list of things to do when I’m next there.
6. Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary
As you drive towards McGregor, there’s a sign on the left saying “Eat, bray, love.” If that doesn’t make you smile, then turn into the Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary and I can promise (really) that after an hour or two in fine donkey company you will be beaming from ear to ear. There’s just something about donkeys that will do that to you.
Did you know that the average life span of a donkey is approximately 40 years, yet the average cart-pulling donkey will only live about 15 years? Who said hard work won’t kill you. Apart from spending some time with the actual donkeys who have come here to live out their twilight years in peace and cart-free happiness, you will learn this and a lot more about donkeys and the work that the sanctuary is doing around the country to enlighten people about donkey care (like the fact that doughnuts are not good treats for donkeys and they really do need to see a farrier at least twice a year). You can also enjoy some lunch in their restaurant, buy donkey toys and licence stickers in the shop and hopefully, adopt a donkey. While you are there give Bella a tickle from me!
Tel 023 625 1593, email [email protected], www.donkeysanctuary.co.za
7. Krans Nature Reserve
Once used as a dump (many years ago), Krans Nature Reserve is perfect for a morning walk with entrances from Smit, Van Reenen and Voortrekker Streets. The views are magnificent and when I was there, the spring flowers were blooming between the rocks and along the pathways. The birdlife is mind-boggling so take a pair of binoculars. There are various paths you can take and there’s even a bench or two to sit on and while some time away. Dogs will love it too!
Tel 023 625 1954, www.mcgregorvillage.co.za/nature-hiking/
8. Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve is a worthwhile visit with two walking trails and a mountain bike trail. The Heron Trail is an easy 3km stroll through Karoo succulents and shrubs, while the 19km Rooikat Trail is fairly strenuous and takes about 8-9 hours to complete (you need good walking shoes for that one). The 8km mountain bike trail takes about an hour to complete. There are two dams with bird hides along the Heron Trail, one of which has a boardwalk that is wheelchair-friendly. Along the paths you will find information boards with interesting facts about the plants and terrain. Another great feature is the Braille Trail, where there are information boards for the visually impaired. The reserve boasts 175 species of birds and you may spot a klipspringer or springbok too.
Take a picnic and make a day of it (there’s a picnic spot near the entrance), or spend a night or two in self-catering accommodation. Conservation fee R40 for adults and R20 for kids.
Tel 023 625 1621, www.capenature.co.za
9. Rhebokskraal farm tour and cooking course
I visited this Rhebokskraal farm a few years back and apart from falling completely in love with the farmhouse (it’s a National Monument), I learnt a lot about olives!
These days, Annalien holds cooking tours on the farm where you will create tasty dishes using olives. The cost includes an apron, a CD with Annalien’s own compositions of farm music (she sings really well by the way) and a recipe book. If being a master chef is not your thing, you can take a tour of the farm with Annalien, which includes olive tastings and lunch. Bookings for both are essential.
Tel 082 896 0429, www.rhebokskraalolives.co.za
10. Movies and music at Wahnfried
Art movies are shown at Wahnfried (“a home for music and movies”) on Bree Street every Friday night. They also host musicians or have an opera screening on a Sunday evening. When I was there, it reminded me of being at The Labia in Cape Town (complete with glass of wine in hand), the only difference being that I was in a home in McGregor and there was a fireplace to boot. It’s all frightfully delightful – you get a glass of wine upon arrival and then you can take an amble through the beautiful gardens (time permitting) before the movie starts. Michael and Freddy kindly show the movies for free, but donations are gladly accepted.
Currently films are on Fridays at 17:15 and musical soirees on Sundays at 15:45.
Tel 072 601 1616 or email [email protected] to find out what’s showing.
11. Massage therapy
Apart from enjoying long walks in the countryside, why not treat yourself to a massage? There are plenty of therapists offering treatments and holistic healing that will do wonders for body, mind and soul. I can recommend Lizelle Erasmus who practices the art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, a gentle massage that assists in releasing blockages, stress, tension and many other ailments. Lizelle has a treatment room at Temenos and is generally available every day of the week. I suggest you go a little earlier than your appointment time and enjoy a stroll through the beautiful Temenos gardens.
Tel 082 872 0400, email [email protected], www.tourismmcgregor.co.za
