Welvanpas is situated near Wellington, next to the well-known Bainskloof pass. The farm has an exceptional natural beauty due to the surrounding protea veld and the majestic Hawekwa and Groenberg mountain ranges.

Welvanpas is steeped in history due to the fact that it’s been in the Retief family for more than 305 years! Infamous Voortrekker leader Piet Retief was born here and his father’s old grandfather clock can still be viewed in the main house.

Currently the farm belongs to Dan and Retha Retief. Dan or actually “Daniel Pieter Johannes Retief” is the 10th generation Retief staying and farming on Welvanpas.

He is as well the winemaker of the boutique Welvanpas wine range. Wine has been made and exported here since 1704.

At Welvanpas we welcome family and friends to visit and enjoy the beauty of the Bovlei with us! A coffee on the farm is a must for everyone that wants to get lost in time!

WORKING FARM
Citrus:
Citrus are produced from the early days on the farm and adjusted very well to our climate and soil. Our orchards are protected from viruses, because nobody near produce any citrus. On our citrus fruit we use no insecticide except to control fruit fly. Further there is a biological balance between the pests and their natural predators. It’s important not to disturb this balance by insecticides. Orchard sanitation is important as well. There for insect infected fruit are removed and buried, to stop any further possible infections. The fruit can stay hanging on the trees for a long time. It often happens that there are two crops on the tree from September till December.

We farm mainly with Valencia oranges.

Vegetables & Other fruit:
To help our cash flow during certain times in the year, we plant various vegetables as butternut, peppadew, onions and fruit as tomatoes and olives. Most of the vegetables and fruit are delivered to the market or to specific clients. We make as well our own chutneys, bottled peppadews, olive oil and various preserves from the fresh produce, that are sold in the coffee shop “die Ou Meul” on the farm.

Proteas:
A large area on the farm is under natural protea veld. We pick and dry protea flowers that are exported to Europe. This is an industry we would like to enlarge by planting more commercial proteas. This is important not to disturb the natural protea veld.

Wine:
The farm has a unique locality and is situated relatively high above sea level. The terrain consists of many different slopes and sides, which makes it ideal for many grape varieties. The different soil types were mapped so that the best root stock varieties could be chosen for each vineyard.

Wine is still made by using old traditional methods. Red wines are fermented in open cement vats by a trusted and tried method. After the grapes are crushed and milled, it is left for cold maturation of the skins and juice, to give extra character and body. After fermentation starts, the skins have to be regularly pressed down into the fermenting juice by hand. This is a soft treatment for fermenting wine and very labour intensive. The winemaker is involved with the fermenting process from the beginning to the end. He can monitor the process better and make adjustments if necessary.

They sell Red and White wines at the farm or online.

Coffee Shop:
“Die Ou Meul” coffee shop got in development in 2009 when we, Dan and Retha Retief, agreed to get involved with the mountain bike trail building in Wellington. Since then we have hosted several birthday parties and small year end functions. Die Ou Meul host and caters also for the well known “wine walkers” of Wellington. They are a tourist organization that takes out small groups to ‘see and taste’ more of the Wellington wine farms. A must for any wine and food lover! You are welcome to visit their website for more information www.winewalk.com

“Die Ou Meul” serves a variety of freshly baked muffins and the best carrot cake in town!
Make sure not to miss out on our famous farm bread toasted sandwiches and farm breakfast served on weekends. Traditional or light lunches can be arranged by appointment for groups of 6 or more.

The Welvanpas boutique wine range can be tasted and purchased at the coffee shop.
We sell a variety of homemade farm produce representing all the goodness the farm has to offer. To name only a few, our own olive oil, homemade peppadews, tomato chutney, various preserves, dried fruit any many more! Fresh farm produce sold when available.

ACTIVITIES
Bains Mountain Bike Trails @ Welvanpas
Come and experience the beauty you never knew existed in the Western Cape before! The trail is challenging, but rewarding. Stop at the top of the climbs to absorb it all. The reward for your effort is fast, technical single track with breathtaking views!

Route Overview:
The route starts and ends at Welvanpas farm which is nestled between the beautiful Hawekwa and Groenberg mountain ranges. It is mainly single track and winds through orchard, vineyard, waterfalls and pristine fynbos.

It takes you up high unto Groenberg, before a descending steep, technical section down to the Kromme River. Here you can choose the challenging, very steep finish towards the river or an (equally) challenging chicken run. Hereafter it runs on the banks of the tranquil stream through a natural forest. The second part of the route takes you towards Bainskloof Pass, up a thigh-testing single track climb and finally back towards Welvanpas Farm, on single track carved into the steep slopes of the Bainskloof foothills.

Terms & Conditions of riding Bain's MTB Trails
-No permit, no ride.
-No helmet, no ride.
-No littering.
-No smoking.
-Ride at own risk.
-Working farms: be aware of farm traffic.
-Beware of snakes.
-Report any fallen trees and missing route markers.

Hiking Trail
WELVANPAS HIKING TRAIL
The Welvanpas 7.5km hiking trail takes you almost immediately to a place of rest. The gentle climb starts next to the Kromme river and the beauty of the surroundings is breath taking. Within the first two kilometres there is a lookout point to a beautiful waterfall. The trail takes you high up the Groenberg mountain range through vineyards and prestine fynbos. The views over Wellington are magistic!

The duration of the trail is 2 ¼ – 2.5hr

Permit Information: Permits can be obtained at the coffee shop “OU MEUL” @ Welvanpas
Cost: Adults - R25pp & Scholars - R15pp

Indemnity form must be signed!

Please contact for group bookings larger than 20 or should you wish to combine your walk with a wine tasting or lunch.

Trail Running Events
29 October 2016
SPONSORED BY ASSICS
RACE DETAILS

The Bain's Trail Run presented by Asics will be held at Welvanpas Farm, Wellington on Saturday 29 October 2016.
The 15km and 8km routes will have the runners experience the natural beauty of the area. The trails offer single track through vineyards, pristine fynbos and over beautiful mountain streams. Both distances traverse the slopes of Groenberg, with the 15km route going on to explore the lower areas of Bainskloof and offering runners a 360° view of the Boland.
Runners and supporters can stay on to indulge themselves with good coffee, food and wine at Die Ou Meul coffee shop at Welvanpas.
www.trailrunning.co.za