Grootdrink, Green Kalahari
Despite the town's allusion to bigness - Grootdrink, translated from the Afrikaans, means 'big drink' - it is little more than a small town in the nether reaches of the Northern Cape on the N10, which leaves the N14 linking Upington with Kuruman, just outside the former town.
It is in the same league as towns like Postmasburg and Danielskuil - off the beaten track and seldom on travellers' itineraries, except if you are en route to Augrabies National Park or even further, the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park - then Grootdrink looks like a viable option for an overnighter or more, before heading on.
However, one stops to think again when hearing of Grootdrink Winery's domination of the Country Cellars competition for the Winemakers and Viticulturists of the Orange River Wine Cellars in 2010. Suddenly Grootdrink has earned its claim to any type of drinking at all, making off with Champion Wine Cellar, Champion Winemaker, Best Red Blend and Best Red Cultivar.
With the promise of good wine, and the peace and quiet and beautiful scenery - think red sand and quiver trees - that comes with staying up here in the southern Kalahari landscape, Grootdrink has more than earned its stripes as a place worthy of a visit.
Vineyards flourish along the banks of the Orange River and the vines are in stark contrast to the largely dry vicinity. If you think that there are twenty winemakers, one very big river, and yields that make the average co-op look tiny. Because of this accommodation in Upington is aplenty. It is little surprise then that areas close by, like Grootdrink, should follow suit. Next time you're in the neighbourhood, stay in Grootdrink, taste the wine and reflect on what it is to be miles away from everything.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
De Werf Lodge
Located in the heart of the beautiful Northern Cape, De Werf Lodge offers accommodation near Upington and Kakamas. De Werf Lodge is a beautiful e...
Augrabies Falls Rest Camp
The Rest Camp offers accommodation in various chalets and cottages in the Augrabies Falls National Park. All of the units are self-catering and h...
Bains House
At Bain's House tranquility meets timeless elegance. Our spacious en-suite bedrooms with all the conveniences that you need include satellite TV,...
Allianto Boutique Hotel
Allianto Boutique Hotel is located in an original pioneer home, one of the first permanent structures built in Upington. Whether you are looking ...
Casa Calida
Casa Calida is Spanish for 'house of quality and hospitality', and true to its name you will enjoy accommodation with the same radiant warmth and...
The Oasis Hotel
The Oasis Hotel in Upington is near the Orange River and within walking distance of major banks and retail stores as well as a choice of restaura...
The Maxton Boutique Hotel
Situated near the Orange River, in Upington, The Maxton Boutique Hotel is able to accommodate up to 40 guests. Here you are near to various attra...
River City Inn
Conveniently situated in the CBD of Upington, River City Inn offers modern and comfortable facilities at affordable rates. The hotel offers twin,...
A-la-Fugue
"à La Fugue" guesthouse - with its exceptionally green, beautiful garden, refreshing blue pool, thatched lapa and tropical island atmosphere - is...
Noteworthy attractions
Augrabies Falls National Park
The Khoi people called it 'Aukoerebis', the place of the Great Noise, referring to the Orange River thundering its way downwards for 60 metres in...
Spitskop Nature Reserve
The Spitskop Nature Reserve was named after Spitskop, an impressive granite koppie just outside the small town of Upington. Consisting mainly of ...
Witsand Nature Reserve
The Witsand (White Sands) Nature Reserve is a 2 500 hectares island of brilliant white sands surrounded by a sea of regular Red Kalahari sand. Al...
Upington Golf Club
Situated just outside of Upington on the N14 road to Johannesburg and Olifantshoek, next to Desert Palace Casino, is the Upington Golf Course. Th...
Orange River Wine Route
In a part of South Africa that is, for all intents and purposes, practically desert, one does not expect to find a wine route. But the Orange Riv...
Northern Cape Wine Estates
With a completely different climate to the Cape Winelands, the Northern Cape produces a number of ranges of wines that boast unique flavours. The...
Riemvasmaak Community Conservancy
North west of the town of Kakamas and bordering the Augrabies National Park is the Riemvasmaak Community Conservancy - 75 00 hectares of land bet...
Hakskeen Pan
Hakskeen Pan is a dry lake bed, and the world's largest unworked saltpan. It lies way up in the far north west of the Northern Cape, 300 km from ...
Kokerboom Food and Wine Route
The Kokerboom, or quiver tree, is one of the most idiosyncratic trees of the Kalahari (South Africa and Namibia). Also known, in scientific circl...
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