Tanagra Private Cellar

Just four and a half kilometres outside the village of McGregor, where the Breede River Valley meets the edge of the Klein Karoo, an ancient wild fig tree once provided deep shade to travellers and herdsmen. The Khoisan people had a word for such a well-shaded place — and from that word the farm took its name: Tanagra.

Today the farm is owned and hosted by Anette and Robert Sobel, who have transformed this quiet corner of the Robertson Wine Route into a boutique wine and guest farm that feels a world apart from the busier estates further west. Tanagra adjoins the Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve, and the surrounding landscape is a tapestry of vineyards, indigenous wild fynbos, and dramatic mountain ridges — the kind of setting that rewards those willing to drive the extra few kilometres off the main route.

The winemaking at Tanagra is deliberately old-school and hands-on. Robert crafts distinctive wines — mainly noble red varieties — using traditional methods: natural yeast fermentation, whole-berry techniques, and maturation in neutral French oak barrels. The approach is about restraint and authenticity, letting the single-vineyard fruit express the unique terroir of the McGregor valley. The flagship wines include a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Shiraz, and the Carah blend — a marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz that has become a signature of the cellar. Wines are priced between R100 and R140 per bottle, reflecting the estate's boutique scale and honest approach.

Since December 2009, Tanagra has also operated a boutique distillery producing European-style grappas and eaux de vie. The grappas are distilled from pressed grape skins — some oak-matured for added complexity — while the fruit eaux de vie showcase apricot, peach, quince, and lemon from the surrounding orchards. It is a rare addition in the South African wine landscape and gives Tanagra a distinctive edge for visitors seeking something beyond the standard tasting.

Accommodation is an integral part of the Tanagra experience. Three cottages, two apartments, and a loft studio are available on a self-catering basis, each sleeping two adults (the Faraway cottage accommodates four). Guests wake to mountain views, swim in the outdoor pool, braai under the stars, and wander through gardens and vineyards at their own pace. The setting is supremely peaceful — the kind of place where you arrive for a night and wish you had booked three.

Tastings take place in the cellar with Robert often on hand to guide visitors through the wines and spirits. The experience is personal and unhurried, reflecting the scale and ethos of a farm where everything is done by the family. For those exploring the McGregor wine meander, Tanagra is both a highlight and a haven.