Rainy days are “titillating taste buds” days in Knysna. There are many carefully curated, easy-to-enjoy menus throughout town to keep you entertained as you head off to taste some wine, oysters, beer and gin!
Rare and Fine Wines
34 South has an impressive collection of wines, including some rare and fine wines. These have been curated by a passionate wine panel and you can taste a selection of four – a Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Blend, Syrah and Pinot Noir. Tasting notes are available and explain why these are indeed Fine and Rare. The emphasis is on the quality of the wine, its taste, and the best dishes to pair it with.
Oysters, naked & dressed!
How about an “Oyster Experience”* – a selection of coastal and cultivated oysters served on crushed ice with a glass of bubbly? The coastal oysters, also known as the “choice of the ancients”, grow only on the coast between Cape Agulhas and the Transkei and are harvested daily from the rocks in the greater Knysna area. Cultivated oysters are grown in Saldanha Bay and Port Elizabeth on inter-tidal racks or in rafts suspended beneath the surface of the water. Both delicious, they are quote different in texture and flavour and of course, a taste sensation.
At 34 South at the Waterfront, also known as the Home of the Knysna Oyster, you can try some delectable “dressed oysters” – marinated as a ceviche, a sushi oyster; grilled with blue cheese and garlic butter; or fried in Panko crumbs. These and many more await you – certainly a feast for any oyster lover!
*Participating restaurants: Sirocco & Tapas&Oysters on Thesen Island, and Drydock Food Co and 34South at the Waterfront.
Beer Tasting
Red Bridge Brewing Company is a proudly-Knysna microbrewery and a firm favourite of locals and visitors alike. They produce a range of beers including IPAs, Golden Ales, Lager, Farmhouse Ale – Saison, Pale Ales, Blonde Ale, Porter, and their recent addition of non-alcoholic Golden Ale Brew. The taproom is open for tastings and whether you are an expert in this golden age of craft beer, or a complete novice, you will have a great time. They are open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm, and Friday from 10am to 6:30pm.
The Sedgefield Craft Brewery is a family owned and run boutique style craft brewery. They produce 6 carefully constructed beers: Blonde Ale, Irish Red Ale, India Pale Ale, Weiss beer, Porter and for special occasions, their popular American Pale Ale “Tiddly Tortoise.” The beers are handmade and contain no maize or preservatives, and they only use high quality local and imported hops, barley and yeast and filtered water. Find them inside the Scarab Village, which is less than a stone’s throw from the N2 at Sedgefield. They are open Monday to Saturday from 8am-4m.
Gin Tasting
Knysna is also proud to be home to The Knysna Distillery. This small distillery uses Alembic Copper Pot Stills to make its gin. It celebrates the region by sourcing distinctly local botanicals for flavour. Some of the flavours you will find at the Distillery include blueberries from the base of the Outeniqua mountains; pure honey from a local producer in the farmlands of Rheenendal; and local num-num berries favoured by the Knysna Loerie. When you visit there may also be some seasonal releases to delight you. The “tasting board” includes a selection of three gins, and they also have gin cocktails available. You can sample all of these delicious products, and also buy some more for your own supply for home. Open Monday to Wednesday from 10:00-18:00, Thursdays 10:00-20:00, Friday 10:00-22:00 and Saturday 10:00-19:00. Closed on Sundays.
Of course drinking and driving is not an option so, to take full advantage of the day, book a local taxi.
