Benguela Cove sits on the edge of the Bot River Lagoon near Hermanus in South Africa's Walker Bay wine region. Cool Atlantic breezes flow across the vineyards, slowing the ripening of the grapes and helping them retain the natural acidity needed for elegant still wines and exceptional Cap Classique. The estate is also known for its diverse soils, maritime climate and commitment to expressing the character of its coastal location.
Winery at a Glance
Visited: February 2024
Region: Walker Bay, Hermanus
Host: Sam Lombard
Known for: Traditional Method Cap Classique and cool-climate wines
Bottle brought home: Walker Bay Blanc de Blancs
My Story
I was absolutely elated when the Cap Classique Association of South Africa invited Fernando and me on a five-day journey through the Cape winelands.
Our first stop was Benguela Cove.
As we arrived just outside Hermanus, the air felt fresh, almost salty from the nearby Atlantic. Everything about the estate felt calm.
Waiting for us was Sam Lombard.
Within minutes, Fernando and I no longer felt like visitors.
We felt genuinely welcomed.
The Vineyard
Before we tasted a single glass, Sam took us through the vineyards.
He explained why this part of Walker Bay is so special, how the cool maritime climate slows the ripening of the fruit, and why patience matters here just as much as it does in Champagne.
We wandered past sculptures, looked across the lagoon and began to understand that Benguela Cove is more than a wine estate.
It's a place where wine, art and landscape quietly belong together.
The tasting
- Walker Bay Brut
- Walker Bay Rosé
- Walker Bay Blanc de Blancs
The Blanc de Blancs (blue star on the cork) appears to be the bottle you brought home, which makes sense because it's become one of Benguela Cove's most highly regarded sparkling wines.
Their Cap Classique wines have consistently won major South African awards, including the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge.
Why I kept the Corks
I always keep corks that remind me of something important.
These three remind me of more than excellent wine.
They remind me that South Africa has protected Cap Classique in much the same spirit that Champagne protects its own name.
Not every sparkling wine may be called Cap Classique.
Only those produced using the traditional method earn that title.
Every time I look at these corks, I remember that quality deserves to be protected.
I noticed something while looking back at these photographs.
I wasn't smiling because I was drinking beautiful wine.
I was smiling because I remembered a younger version of myself.
Growing up during apartheid, visiting places like this wasn't something I imagined was possible.
I remember standing outside the gates of a beautiful wine estate in Stellenbosch one day.
I looked through those gates and quietly said to myself,
"One day I'll walk through them."
Years later, standing at Benguela Cove, I realised I had done exactly that.
Sometimes the biggest celebration isn't opening another bottle.
Sometimes it's recognising that you've become the person who once only existed as a dream.
Zelda's Reflection
Every winery teaches me something. Benguela Cove reminded me that sometimes the longest journeys begin with a promise you make to yourself years earlier.
