Lutzville in the Cape West Coast region is blessed with just the right conditions for excellent wine and the local wineries have garnered some top accolades. Lutzville Wine Cellar was established in 1962 and produces some of the finest wines in the world. This can possibly be attributed to the area´s misty mornings, sunny days and fresh sea breezes – all conditions under which the vines flourish.
But it is not only wine that flourishes in this area. Watered by the mighty Olifants River, the valley produces top quality grapes, currants, raisins and sultanas. Vegetables also form an integral part of this area’s agricultural production.
Eight kilometres from Lutzville, Koekenaap is also a hive of farming activity, creating a scenic, patchwork landscape. As in Lutzville, farmers produce grapes, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, beetroot, pumpkin and a variety of fruit. En route to Koekenaap, you will come across Tiger Brands Foods, otherwise known as “All Gold”. This company uses locally cultivated tomatoes to produce the primary product of tomato paste, which is eventually distributed throughout South-Africa.
As if this was not bounty enough for the region, it enjoys magnificent wild flowers that bloom from late July to September.
Lutzville was originally named “Vleermuijsklip” which means bat rock. It derived this name from a rocky outcrop and overhang just outside the town. Today this rocky outcrop is a national monument, and one can even still see the marks where elephants used to rub themselves on their way to a nearby spring. At the beginning of the early 1800s, large herds of elephant were often seen in the area, hence the name Olifants River Valley.
For golf-lovers, there is also a well maintained 9-hole golf course to be tried out. Should you decide to take in a game of golf, don’t miss the 19th hole, as this is in the tasting room of the local winery!
Other attractions include a San Rock art site close to the town. The paintings are protected by an overhanging rock. The Sishen-Saldanha Railway Bridge over the Olifants River is a unique construction and is well worth a visit. River cruises, canoeing, fishing and bird watching along the Olifants River are also popular.
Lutzville and neighbour Koekenaap are about 35 km from the beach at Strandfontein.
The friendly town of Lutzville is situated 323km from Cape Town. Take the N7 and turn off onto the R363 which runs into Lutzville.
Read our detailed information on the West Coast at ShowMe West Coast.
