A Glance at Gabriëlskloof as Hermanus Gears Up to Go Back to School 📚🍷

👋 Good morning, Hermanus!

There’s no denying it - Winter is in full swing but we’ve got just the thing to warm you up.

Welcome back to the Hermanus Scoop - your weekly catch-up on all things local, lekker and worth knowing about. From hidden gems to community news, we’ve got you covered.

Thank you again for supporting us - whether you’re reading, sharing or spreading the word to friends, we’re grateful to have you along for the ride.

In this week’s edition:

🍷 We head out to Gabriëlskloof, one of the Overberg’s most celebrated wine estates, to discover what makes this spot such a standout.

🛒 Ready to go back to school? We’ve rounded up some local specials from PNA to help ease the return.

📅 Local events, restaurant specials, and more to fill your calendar.

Let’s get into it.

– The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. If you haven’t seen the Yeti in Hermanus yet he is on our Instagram channel 👈

🏡 Property of the Week - Presented by Greeff Properties

Looking for ocean views or a mountainside retreat?

Each week, we spotlight a standout listing that captures the unique charm and lifestyle of the Overberg. From ocean-view escapes to tucked-away treasures, these are the homes that inspire imagination - and maybe even your next move. Brought to you by Greeff Properties, trusted specialists in exceptional real estate across the Overberg.

Classic Family Home in Northcliff

Nestled at the upper end of Fourie Street, this residence sits on a generous 1666 sqm erf, surrounded by mature indigenous trees and well established gardens that create a tranquil, idyllic and secure environment for children to explore their imaginations, whether it be building forts, treehouses or chasing butterflies. Upon entering the home, you will immediately sense the warmth of a true family atmosphere.

As you step through the elegant French doors, you are welcomed into a spacious dining area that seamlessly transitions into a sunlit kitchen, featuring a separate scullery. The inviting lounge, equipped with a built-in fireplace, provides a cozy backdrop for intimate evenings. Each of the four generously sized en-suite bedrooms opens onto the garden through French doors, enhancing the connection to the outdoors.

View the property in full here.

🍷 Local Business Spotlight: Gabriëlskloof Wines - Where Vision Took Root and Became a Legacy

This week’s local business spotlight is on Gabriëlskloof Wines.

If you haven’t made the drive out of town to visit Gabriëlskloof, put it on your list. Just outside Botrivier, this rustic yet elegant estate feels like a slice of the French countryside - with some of the best wines the Overberg has to offer. We caught up with Nicolene Finlayson to give us some background on the history of the farm and a glimpse into the future.

Some dreams take time to find their place. For Bernhard Heyns, that dream was to find a piece of land that felt like home - not just in name, but in spirit. A place where his family could build something lasting.

That moment came in 2001, when a modest canola farm named Avontuur revealed its true potential. Bernhard saw more than fields - he saw promise. The soil, the slope, the cool maritime influence - it all pointed to one thing: great wine.

So began the Gabriëlskloof journey.

By 2007, the Heyns family had settled in Hermanus - drawn by its coastal charm, slower pace, and close-knit community. But it was in the hills of Botrivier where they poured their energy and vision into something meaningful. Gabriëlskloof quickly became more than a family project - it became a story of people and place.

The farm was built on a strong sense of local investment. Team members from the area didn’t just work the vineyards - they grew with the business, rising into senior roles and shaping the soul of the estate. Over the years, the Heyns family has become a pillar of job creation in the Botrivier community, uplifting many local families through long-term employment and opportunity.

In 2010, Bernhard’s daughter Nicolene joined the family venture and moved to the farm. Soon after, she met Peter-Allan Finlayson - a rising star in the local winemaking scene. Their relationship blossomed into marriage, and in 2015, Peter-Allan took over as head winemaker, bringing his own vision and expertise to the estate.

Under his leadership, Gabriëlskloof launched the Landscape Series and Projects Range - two collections that have earned critical acclaim and cemented the estate’s reputation as one of South Africa’s top wine producers.

Today, Gabriëlskloof is about more than just what’s in the glass. It’s a story of roots - in the land, in the community, and in the hearts of those who built it. From old canola fields to world-class wines, this is a place where dreams found a home - and continue to grow.

Coming Soon: The Kitchen Door at Gabriëlskloof 👀

A new chapter begins at Gabriëlskloof with the launch of The Kitchen Door - a wood-fired restaurant opening on Wednesday, 13 August. Led by Jenny Ward, whose cooking is rooted in the joy of open-flame meals and seasonal ingredients, the experience celebrates everything comforting and soulful about eating together.

Think nostalgic wood-fired goodness, a working open kitchen, and dishes that blend simplicity with sophistication. It’s an invitation to step back into slow, honest cooking - and reconnect with the joy of sharing food made with care.

Bookings are now open at [email protected].

If Nicolene had one perfect day in Hermanus…

• Start with a walk along the newly opened coastal path, or hike up to Lemoenkop in Fernkloof Nature Reserve - with a stop at the waterfall on the way back.

• For tea, visit the newly opened Mr Write Tea & Gift Café or grab fresh croissants from Onshore.

• Lunch at Burgundy - consistently good food and one of the best views in town.

• Shop at Green-ways Health Shop for organic produce and well-farmed, free-range meat.

• Stock up at Stofpad Deli in Onrus for beach snacks - the paprika cheese sticks are a must!

🍷 Back to School with PNA

Just when they thought the boredom of the Winter holidays is in overdrive it’s almost time for the kids to go… back to school!

Fortunately your local PNA branches in the Station and Whale Coast Malls have everything you need to get ready for the third term.

Take a look at the full list of specials here.

🍷 Wine of the Week

We’ve teamed up with a few mysterious ghost writers who know their way around a wine glass. Each week, they’ll be sharing a local wine review straight from the heart of the valley.

What’s in your Glass (17.07.2025) 

Journey to the Centre of the Universe – Blanc Fume 2023 – Sauvignon Blanc

Deep Rooted Wines are made by Mark Stephens, based in Stanford. His motto is “Healing people and the environment with Wellness Wines and Regenerative Viticulture”. You only have to spend a few minutes with Mark to realize he is a wine geek to the core and someone that is truly and wholeheartedly sold out to his vision. It is inspirational to listen to the man speak about his vineyards and wines.

I truly enjoyed the approach to this wine. Mark has a NO SULFITES ADDED policy on this wine and one would expect a lot of “funky vibes”? Yet, the purity on this wine was next level.

When a wine is made with oxidative pressing, spontaneous fermentation and aged in older barrels, often the expectation is a wine that can be difficult to appreciate for the average consumer…simply because it is not what he or she would expect from a wooded Sauvignon blanc. Yet, with this wine, Mark has hit the ball out of the park! 

Aromatically, the wine shows citrus, white stone fruit and hints of blackcurrant – testament to the cooler climate sites where the grapes are from. The light, zesty palate showcases a refined Sauvignon blanc, while the time on lees (almost 10 months) creates richness. 

A perfect winter white!

93/100

📆 What’s On in Hermanus

July kicks off in strong fashion with a lot to get busy with this month:

Curro Winter Gift Market 🎁
🗓 4 - 19 July 📍 Curro Hermanus - Join us at The Gift Market at Curro Hermanus, where exhibitors from all over will come together to create an unforgettable shopping experience for Hermanus and the surrounding areas. More information here.

Saturday | Hermanus ParkRun 🏃 
🗓 Saturday, 19 July · 08:00 📍 Hermanus Forest, Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - Start your weekend with a scenic 5km trail run (or walk). Free to join - just register online at parkrun.co.za.

Saturday | Benguela Cove ParkRun 🏃 
🗓 Saturday, 19 July · 08:00 📍 Benguela Cove, R43, Botriver Lagoon, Hermanus - Start your weekend with a scenic 5km trail run (or walk). Free to join - just register online at parkrun.co.za.

Saturday | Hermanus Country Market 🌿 
🗓 Saturday, 19 July · 09:00 - 14:00 📍 Hermanus Cricket Club - Artisan stalls, live music, food, fresh produce and a family-friendly vibe - a staple Saturday outing for locals and visitors alike.

Saturday | Local Community Market – Onrus 🌿 
🗓 Saturday, 19 July · 09:00 - 13:00 📍 De Wet Saal, Onrus - Pop by the De Wet Saal in Onrus for a vibrant community market filled with local crafts, food, and fresh produce. A great way to support local and enjoy a relaxed morning out!

Saturday | Springboks at Bossa 🏉 
🗓 Saturday, 19 July · 17:10 📍 Bossa - Catch all the action as the Springboks take on Georgia live on the big screens at Bossa Hermanus.

Coming up: Flikker Filmfees 🎥 
🗓 28 - 31 July. Film Festival celebrating 100 years of Afrikaans - featuring exclusive short films and films from the last two years of the kykNET Silwerskermfees. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Around the Corner: Kalfiefees is Coming 🎭
🗓 1 - 10 August. Hermanus’ beloved Kalfiefees is just around the corner - kicking off on 1 August. With theatre, music, food, and cultural events filling the town, this is one you don’t want to miss. Tickets sell out fast, so be sure to pre-book your shows and make a weekend of it! Book now at kalfiefees-hermanus.co.za

🎓📚 School Term Update

Local schools are back in session for Term 3 from the 22nd July to the 3rd of October 2025.

Wishing all learners, teachers, and parents a strong and successful term ahead!

🌬️🌦️ Hermanus Weather Update: 17 - 23 July

This week, the Overberg sky plays storyteller again - moody and shifting, with bursts of drama and spells of calm. Expect everything from sideways rain to golden light cutting through the clouds. Whether you’re storm-dodging, sipping something warm, or soaking up rare stillness - there’s something in the weather for you.

Here’s what the week ahead looks like:

⸻

Thursday 17 July

Bring the brolly. 🌧️ With 8.9 mm of rain falling across the day and temps ranging from 12°C to 15°C, it’s a classic winter soaker. Winds hover around 12 m/s. Good for long coffee catch-ups and rain-splashed windows.

Friday 18 July

Moody morning, golden afternoon. 🌦️ A touch of rain early on (1 mm), then the skies clear by midday. High of 14°C, low of 10°C, and winds calming down to 9 m/s. It’s a day with two personalities - plan accordingly.

Saturday 19 July

The crispest of winter gems. ☀️ Bright and dry, with sunshine the whole way through. Temperatures range from 6°C to 17°C, and winds drop to a mild 6 m/s. A perfect day for cliff paths, markets, or that overdue beach walk.

Sunday 20 July

A mostly sunny Sunday. 🌤️ Expect a mild high of 16°C and low of 8°C, with just a whisper of wind (6 m/s). Pack a picnic - it’s the calm before a little wet return.

Monday 21 July

Rain sneaks back in. 🌧️ Around 4.5 mm of precipitation expected. High of 14°C and low of 8°C, with breezes at 8 m/s. Ideal for errands, admin, or curling up with something comforting.

Tuesday 22 July

Stillness and sunshine. ☀️ Barely 3 m/s of wind, no rain, and clear skies from morning till night. Temperatures stretch from a chilly 6°C to a bright 14°C. Don’t waste it.

Wednesday 23 July

Another stunner. ☀️ A high of 14°C and low of 6°C, dry and sun-filled once more, with gentle breezes at 3 m/s. Winter doesn’t get better than this.

So whether you’re plotting a wind-lashed hike or a fireside feast, remember: Hermanus doesn’t just do weather - it does atmosphere. The kind that changes your plans, and then rewards you for changing them.

Here’s to soaking it all in.

🍕 Restaurant Specials:

Here are some of the best deals from all over town for you to enjoy during the coming week:

Spotted in the Overberg: Photo of the Week

Each week, we feature one special snap submitted by someone who calls this place home. From misty morning walks to playful pups on the beach - we want to see what you see.

And here’s the perk: every featured photographer gets a free flat white on us - in partnership with Molo Coffee. So send in your best shot to [email protected], and you might just sip your way to local fame.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Scoop!

Stay warm, stay dry, stay curious, good luck to all the scholars getting back into routine and we’ll catch you next week!

- The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Got a story, sighting, or scoop to share? Drop us an email at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you.