The Hermanus Wine Route and Region is amongst the most beautiful wine areas in South Africa.

Also known as the Hemel en Aarde Wine Valley, Hermanus is nestled between lush green mountains and the turquoise ocean with its incredible “champagne air”.

Sitting on the edge of Walker Bay, this small coastal town offers a bewitching array of wine and food experiences.

The Hermanus Wine Region is also known as the Whale Capital of South Africa – home to the best land-based whale watching in the world between the months of May to October each year.

Whales, dolphins and great white sharks, the most diverse Floral Kingdom in the world, mountain walks and pristine beaches, secluded forests, crashing surf, lagoons and a hidden valley so beautiful it’s named “Heaven and Earth”.

Wine from the Hermanus Wine Region.

Then, of course, the Hermanus Wine Valley is famed for its wine and food offerings.

Hermanus is world-renowned for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.

Many beautiful wine estates adorn the lush Hemel en Aarde Wine Valley.

Thanks to the fertile soil and unique climate of the region, the wine farms have transformed the Hermanus area into a wine cornucopia.

Most of the wine farms are open to the general public, but we would suggest that you either book a tasting in advance or book a guided wine tour with a reputable wine tour company who will then take care of all your arrangements.

Restaurants definitely require a reservation in advance, especially over weekends and high season (between September to March each year).

Hermanus Wine Route Whale Crier.

The Whale Crier’s Kelp Horn was first heard in Hermanus in August 1992.

Pieter Claasen, then an employee of the Old Harbour, was our first Whale Crier.

Little did he realize when he agreed to dress up in the now familiar regalia what he was letting himself in for.

His friends and associates all felt that he was making a fool of himself dressing up as a “papegaai”.

With constant encouragement from Jim Wepener his mentor, he stood his ground and as his reputation spread abroad (literally), they slowly changed their tune.

Trips to Cape Town and Johannesburg followed and one of the highlights of his time as Whale Crier was surely his trip to Topsham in the UK where he was Guest of Honour at the annual Town Crier’s competition.

He opened the proceedings with a call on his famous kelp horn and then shouted his greetings from Hermanus in true Town Crier fashion.

He received a resounding applause. Later in the afternoon he led the colourful procession of Town Criers, floats from far and wide and a large crowd of onlookers down the Main Street of Topsham.

On that trip he also participated in a presentation on Whale Watching in Hermanus and the Whale Route at the South African Embassy in London.

Subsequently a letter received from the Ambassador said that the invited guests had enjoyed the presentation tremendously and congratulated the delegates saying it was one of the best presentations given at the Embassy.

As the information has spread far and wide about the wonderful whale watching in Hermanus, so has the media interest increased both in the Whale Crier and Hermanus.

Pieter has given literally dozens of press and TV interviews and these have continued to publicize Hermanus as an important tourist destination.

Festivals and Events in and around the Hermanus Wine Region.

The Hermanus Wine Route is a vibrant year-round destination.

Throughout the year the town and wine estates offer festivals and events to entertain the crowds.

These festivals and events around Hermanus include the following to name but a few.

• The Hermanus Whale Festival.
• Hermanus Wine and Food Festival
• Hermanus Fyn Arts
• Fernkloof Flower Fair
• Hemel en Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration
• Walkerbay Xtreme
• Kalfiefees
• Walkerbay 7’s
• Wine Village Night Run

We look forward to host you in Hermanus soon.