Some of the best things on Route 62 aren't in the towns at all, they're hidden in the valleys between them. Just outside Barrydale, where the R62 winds through the dramatic folds of the Tradouw Valley, you'll find Joubert-Tradauw, a family-owned private cellar that has quietly become one of the Klein Karoo's most rewarding stops. It's exactly the kind of place this Karoo Escapes series was made for: unhurried, characterful, and deeply rooted in its landscape.
A family, a valley and a dreamJoubert-Tradauw is run by Meyer and Beate Joubert. Meyer was born in the Tradouw Valley and returned to the family farm in 1995 with Beate, who had spent time making wine in California's Napa Valley. Together they set out to produce premium wine from this fertile pocket of the Klein Karoo. In 1998 they built a fermentation cellar using stone drawn from the farm's own rocky soils, and in 1999 they crushed their first harvest. The result was the flagship R62 Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, matured for fourteen months in Burgundy oak — a wine that set the tone for everything that followed.
That name is no accident. Inspired by America's Route 66, Meyer was the first winemaker to trademark "R62" as a wine brand, a fitting tribute to the scenic route that runs right past the farm gate.
Wines worth slowing down for
The cellar's philosophy is summed up in its warm Afrikaans invitation: "Proe die Klein Karoo!" — taste the Little Karoo. Alongside the signature R62 red blend, the elegant Chardonnay is a highlight, with delicate fynbos and floral notes, hints of toasted almond, honey and vanilla, and a bright citrus finish. Tastings unfold against sweeping views of the Langeberg mountains, the kind of setting that makes you want to linger over every glass.
The R62 Deli Alfresco
A visit isn't complete without a stop at the farm's R62 Deli Alfresco. Once a modest tin-roofed dwelling, it has been transformed into a Mediterranean-style farm kitchen with rustic décor and a cosy indoor fireplace for cooler Karoo days. In warmer weather, the vine-covered veranda is the place to be, looking out over the orchards, the valley and the mountains beyond.
The kitchen specialises in Klein Karoo tapas, think rosemary chicken, hearty pies and slow-cooked stew, served on generous platters with homemade touches like tapenade, onion relish, fresh bread, local cheeses and stewed fruit. Save room for dessert: the French chocolate cake with green fig and the lemon-meringue cheesecake are both worth the indulgence. Reservations are essential, so it's well worth booking ahead.
More than a tastingJoubert-Tradauw rewards those who stay a while. Guests can wander through the vineyards and fruit orchards, hike or cycle the surrounding trails, cool off with a swim in the mountain stream, or simply spread out a picnic under those wide Klein Karoo skies. It's a working farm and a genuine retreat in equal measure.
If you're exploring Barrydale and the wider Route 62, this peaceful valley cellar deserves a firm place on your itinerary and a spot near the top of your Karoo Escape list. Pour a glass, settle into the view, and you'll understand exactly why so many people who pass through this valley find reasons to come back.
Joubert-Tradauw Private Cellar:
Tradouw Valley, on the R62 just outside Barrydale
Office: 071 656 1230 | Bookings (Beate): 082 304 9000
Email:
[email protected]Web: joubert-tradauw.com
Reservations essential for the R62 Deli Alfresco