Holiday fun, wine finds and the story behind Hermanuspietersfontein 🍷

👋 Good morning, Hermanus - and hello July!

Welcome to the second half of the year and, if you’re new around here, welcome to Hermanus Scoop!

We’re your go-to weekly newsletter - landing every Thursday with the latest on what’s happening in town, new spots to discover and all things Hermanus.

We’re also celebrating one month of being in-the-know so there’s a lot to be grateful for!

In this week’s edition:

• Part 2 of our school holiday activity guide – more fun ideas to enjoy with your kids around town

• Our business feature on Hermanuspietersfontein Wines – and a look at how Hermanus got its name

• A brand-new weekly wine review column, written by our very own ghost writer, shining a light on the best bottles from our valley

Let’s dive in.

- The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Thank you for all the user-submitted photos - we included three winners this week as the options were fantastic!

🏡 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.

Scaling down or starting up - this is an ideal property for you!

Greeff Christie’s are excited to introduce this well loved family home, nestled in sought after The Avenues estate in the coastal town of Hermanus. Warmth and loads of character add to the charm of this welcoming home. This quiet and tranquil estate ensures you a secure and superb lifestyle at the coast.

The estate is within walking distance to the Curro School, and in close proximity to the Whale Coast Mall and the entrance to the Hemel and Aarde Valley with its renowned restaurants and shops. Being only five minutes drive from Hermanus, the property is ideally positioned for you to cherish our many Hermanus festivals and events, and for those visiting from afar only 120 km from the Cape Town airport.

View the property in full here.

🧒🏽👧🏻👦🏼 Winter Kids Holiday Guide - Part Two

Last week, we shared 10 fun-filled ideas to keep the kids entertained over the school break. Here's a quick recap:

• Visit the Shark Lab

• Enjoy a Lemoenkop hike

• Join the Shipwrecked Holiday Club 

• Enjoy Whale of a Time indoor play park

• Watch a movie at the Roadhouse Cinema

• See the Penguins in Betties Bay

• Try out Heartland Adventure 

• Go Horse Riding

• Browse the Winter Gift Market at Curro

• Holiday Club - Arts & Crafts

This week, we’ve rounded up a few more creative and family-friendly experiences - perfect for when the weather keeps you off the beach (and honestly, they’re just as fun for adults too!):

Abalone Farm Adventures

Take a fascinating one-hour walking tour of the abalone farm (daily at 11am). Kids (R100) receive a souvenir shell to take home, and adults (R200) will enjoy a peek behind the scenes of this unique local industry.

Overberg Explorer Steam Train

Hop aboard the vintage steam train from Botrivier to the Elgin Railway Market. A nostalgic and scenic journey the whole family will love. More here.

Curro Winter Gift Market

Running from 4–19 July, this annual favourite is a treasure trove of handmade goods, gifts and Winter treats.

Kids’ Cooking Classes at The Black Pearl

Held in Kleinmond Harbour, these hands-on classes are ideal for budding chefs aged 7–14.

Hermanus Library Holiday Workshops

Keep little minds busy with creative activities hosted by the local library throughout the school break.

Bisque It – Ceramic Café

Let your imagination run wild as kids (and grown-ups!) paint their own unique ceramic creations. Whether it's a mug, plate, or something totally whimsical, it’s a meaningful way to create lasting memories – or a handmade gift.

🐑 Local Business Spotlight: Hermanuspietersfontein Wines - where heritage, winemaking, and a love for nature meet

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

This week we sit down with Wilhelm Pienaar, Winemaker and Managing Director at Hermanuspietersfontein (HPF), a boutique wine producer based in Hermanus, with vineyards located in Sondagskloof.

Wilhelm shares the story of the farm, its deep historical roots, and what it’s like balancing his love of winemaking with the day-to-day operations of this uniquely South African brand.

Tell us a bit about the farm and its origin.

Let’s start right at the beginning, because it ties beautifully into how our town got its name. In the mid-1800s, the Cape was still a Dutch colony, but by the 1830s, the British had begun to colonise. Up in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, between Tesselaarsdal and Caledon, a group of Dutch sheep farmers were determined to preserve their language and culture. They sent word asking for a teacher who would be willing to live in the Overberg and educate their children in Dutch.

A man named Hermanus Pieters answered that call. In those days, payment was often made through barter, and he was paid in sheep. As his flock grew, he was asked to move out of the valley. He eventually settled near a freshwater spring in what we now know as Hermanus. Fast forward to 1902 - when the telegram system was introduced - the local postmaster decided that “Hermanuspietersfontein” was too long for postal stamps and shortened the name to simply “Hermanus.” That’s also where one of our wines, Posmeester, gets its name. The current owners of HPF, Johan and Marriette Pretorius, purchased the two farms in 2004 and made their first wine in 2005. Their shared passion for food, wine, and nature laid the foundation for what HPF is today.

When did you move to Hermanus and how did your journey with HPF begin?

In 2013, after 10 years at a large international wine company, I was ready for a lifestyle shift. Our first child was on the way, and I wanted a more family-centred life - something slower and more intentional. That’s when our paths crossed, and I joined HPF.

What exactly do you do at HPF?

I wear a number of hats! I’m the Managing Director, which means I’m responsible for more than just winemaking. I work closely with the owners and lead a fantastic team - from sales and marketing to finance, logistics, and general management. No two days are the same. Some days it’s all about the wine; other days I’m in meetings with buyers, working on proposals, or conducting client tastings. It’s a stimulating and rewarding role.

And who are you behind the scenes?

I like to keep a low profile. Winemaking is a lifestyle more than a job - and it’s my creative outlet. It’s not about the spotlight for me, but about continually improving this form of art. Each season offers a new opportunity to refine and push the boundaries a little more.

If you had one day in Hermanus, how would you spend it?

I’d start early with some fresh air - either a hike in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve or a relaxed 9 holes of golf with my wife and kids. Then a good croissant and coffee at one of our favourite spots in town, followed by a slow stroll through the art galleries. I love sitting on a bench overlooking the bay, just taking it all in. A lazy lunch at Milk on the Beach or Burgundy, with a glass of wine, is a must. And to end the day, I’d go wine tasting in the valley or over in Botrivier, and treat my wife to a romantic dinner at one of our local restaurants.

🍷 Wine of the Week

Speaking of wine, 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 (03.07.2025) 

As the chill of winter settles in, our palates naturally gravitate toward wines with a bit more soul - bottles that bring warmth to cold nights and depth to hearty meals. This July, we’re diving into a curated selection of fuller, bolder reds and surprisingly complex winter whites. Whether you’re curling up by the fire or hosting a long-table feast, these wines promise comfort, character, and just the right amount of winter magic in every glass.  

FULL STOP ROCK 2021 (76% Syrah; 16% Grenache; 8% Mourvèdre)

We all know that Newton-Johnston is renowned for their Pinots and Chardonnays. However - don’t sell yourself short and overlook some of the other gems in their line-up. What I really enjoyed about this wine, was the generosity and elegance. Aromatically, I appreciated the intense and complex flavours. Berry compote and sweet spice – think liquorice and cinnamon – on the nose.  The complexity continues on the palate as the wine fills every corner of your mouth. While the wine shows richness, it is balance with fine tannins, giving the wine great length. (It is not your typical Rhone-style blockbuster that can often be over-bearing.) We served it with a plankie-steak and some potatoe wedges and proved to be a real treat! 91/100

📆 What’s On in Hermanus

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

Saturday | Springboks at SkyBar 🏉 
🗓 Saturday, 5 July · 17:10 📍 SkyBar - Watch the men in green and gold tackle Italy with the best backdrop you could hope for.

Saturday | Hermanus Country Market 🌿 
🗓 Saturday, 5 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 | Hermanus ParkRun 🏃 
🗓 Saturday, 5 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.

Thursday 10 July | Leon Lategan Business Workshop 📈 
🗓 Thursday, 10 July · 08:30 - 12:30 📍 SANSA, Hospital Street -
South Africa’s No. 1 Conversion Optimisation Specialist, Leon Lategan, will bring his powerful, no-holds-barred workshop "Let’s not bullsh*t each other…your business can do so much better, so why isn’t it?" to Hermanus for the first time. Tickets here!

Friday 11 July | Hermanus Animal Welfare Society Cake & Tea🐶🐱
🗓 Friday, 21 July · 10:00 📍 Hermanus Golf Club - A morning filled with great cakes, bubbly, tea or coffee and friends. Guest Speaker. Les Aupiais. Former Carte Blanche presenter & journalist. Sample the best from Hermanus Home Bakers. Raffles and mystery prizes! Limited seats. R350.00 per person. Please book by emailing [email protected] or whatsapp Mellissa on 0733649661

🌬️🌦️ Hermanus Weather Update: 3 - 9 July

We’re well into July and the weather is keeping us on our toes - think moody mornings, sun-drenched surprises and just enough chill to remind us it’s Winter. Whether you’re planning a market run, a muddy forest mission, or just a cozy weekend indoors, here’s what Hermanus has in store this week.

⸻

Thursday 3 July
A classic winter soaker! 🌧️ Heavy rain throughout the day - 55 mm expected - and brisk winds reaching 11 m/s. Temperatures hover around 13°C. Best paired with soup, slippers, and zero guilt about staying indoors.

Friday 4 July
Still damp but a touch gentler. Around 25 mm of rain - especially in the early morning and late evening. Maximum of 14°C, low of 10°C. Winds pick up to 13 m/s. A solid day for moody café windows and local wine shopping.

Saturday 5 July
Showers in the morning tapering off later. Expect 4.3 mm of rain, a high of 13°C, low of 10°C, and wind easing to around 10 m/s. If you’re lucky, a mid-afternoon stroll might just be possible between the clouds.

Sunday 6 July
Brightening up! ☀️ Mostly dry with scattered clouds and only 15 mm of rain early on. High of 13°C, low of 8°C, with gentler winds. Perfect for a beach walk.

Monday 7 July
Crisp and golden. 🌞 Dry skies, light winds, and temps between 14°C and 6°C. Ideal conditions to get outside and soak up the rare winter glow.

Tuesday 8 July
Another lovely one. High of 16°C, low of 6°C, sunshine in the morning, light cloud by afternoon. Calm, still, and dry.

Wednesday 9 July
Slight cloud build-up returns, with a light shower or two (3.8 mm). Still mild at 17°C / 7°C. Nothing dramatic - just a typical soft winter’s day.

So, whether you’re dodging puddles, chasing sunbeams or bundling up for an early morning mission - this week offers a bit of everything. Hermanus might be deep in Winter, but its charm doesn’t hibernate - from misty dawns to golden afternoons, there’s magic in every forecast.

🏉 🏫 Sports & Schools:

❄️ Term Break: Schools are properly closed at the moment and we hope all learners enjoy a well-deserved break during the holidays and come back with renewed energy for the third term!

🍕 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.

This week we had three great entries - all winning their complimentary Molo Coffee flat white on us - show them this email/post along with your identification to claim your prize.

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, and let’s all keep on making our town a better place.

- 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.