The Venues
Wine Tasting Time!
Enjoy the Vaal River Wine Route
Every Saturday & Sunday from 12H00
7 June 2025 to 27 July 2025
Hosted at various wine tasting venues on and around the Vaal River area in Gauteng
R80.00 to taste 8 different wines
No entry fee – simply pay the tasting fee at the Venues of your choice. Please note that certain Venues have different trading and kitchen hours. The last table booking for wine tasting is 17h00 as the wine tasting experience is 1 hour.
Emerald Resort & Casino
The Emerald Resort & Casino delivers enthralling gaming, memorable entertainment, unforgettable food and luxury accommodation at Hotel, Safari Lodges, River Resort and Liquid Living Houseboat. 18+| winners know when to stop. NRGP: 0800 006 008
Call to book a wine tasting table : 016 982 8005
Wines available to taste:
Weekend Trading Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: 11h00 – 22h00
Public Holidays: 08h00 – 11h00
Kitchen Hours:
Saturday & Sunday : 11h00 – 22h00
Public Holidays : 08h00 – 11h00
Rio Sol Portuguese Restaurant
Rio Sol has been the Vaal’s favourite restaurant for 22 years! Make sure to visit this little gem in the middle of the Vaal Triangle.
Call to book a wine tasting table : 016 423 3333
Specials:
- View the latest specials on our FACEBOOK page.
- Join us for the Vaal Wine route and a delicious meal at Rio sol
- R80 to taste 8 different wines.
- Plus amazing Wine Route meal specials to pair with your favourite wine!
Wines available to taste:
Weekend Trading Hours:
Saturday : 12h00 – 22h00
Sunday : 11h00 – 16h00
Kitchen Hours:
Saturday : 12h00 – 21h00
Sunday : 11h00 – 15h00
Riviera on Vaal Hotel
& Country Club
Prime resort 45 minutes from Jhb. All rooms with river views. Golf, Spa, eateries. Modern conference rooms. Child friendly. Aqua Lounge Premium trips.
Call to book a wine tasting table : 016 100 5027
Specials:
- Special 1
- 1 night Stay at Riviera on Vaal Hotel for 2 guests in a Standard Room on a Friday or Saturday evening, including breakfast and a Complimentary Wine Tasting at Riviera on Vaal for 2 guests @ R1520,- per room. T’s & C’s Apply
- Special 2:
- Spa Special: 30 Minute Neck, Back and Shoulder Massage @ R400 pp for the duration of the wine route and receive a complimentary voucher for Wine-tasting on a Saturday or Sunday. T’s & C’s Apply
Wines available to taste:
Weekend Trading Hours:
07h00 – 22h00
Kitchen Hours:
07h00 – 22h00
Stonehaven on Vaal
Largest alfresco Garden Restaurant in South Africa. You will enjoy being greeted by the relaxed and charming ambience as you meander through Stonehaven’s cobbled pathways that lead you through the quaint herb garden, over 1000 rose bushes and the mature gardens and lawns that sweep down to the Vaal River. You have a variety of dining options at Stonehaven on Vaal.
Full onboard dining is catered for from breakfasts, brunches, braais, spits, smorgasbords, picnics, buffets, seafood extravaganzas and cocktail snacks. Stonehaven also hosts a regular Sunday Cruising Buffet every Sunday aboard one of the luxurious cruisers or floating restaurants – “The Spirit of Jen”. Casual 50-minute cruises too on Saturday and Sundays too.
Call to book a wine tasting table : 016 982 2951/2
Specials:
- Sunday 2-Hour 3-Course Cruising & Wine Tasting Luncheon R675 p/p 12:00 – 14:00
- Romantic Picnic for 2 Including Wine Tasting of 8 Wines R910.00 per couple
- Cheese Platter for 2 Including Wine Tasting for of 8 Wines R400.00 per couple
- Full Body Massage and Wine Tasting (8 wines) R1160.00 per couple
- Hand & Foot Massage including wine tasting of 8 wines R230.00 pp (10min Hand / 30min Break / 10min Foot)
- Hand OR Food Massage with Wine Tasting of 8 wines R150.00 pp (10min)
Wines available to taste:
Weekend Trading Hours:
Saturday & Sunday : 10h00 – 21h00
Kitchen Hours:
Saturday & Sunday : 10h00 – 20h00
The Anchorage
The Anchorage is an luxury up market self-catering holiday establishment. Only 1.5 hrs drive from JHB in Vaal Marina, it is the ideal weekend break away. Our luxurious accommodation with 300m of waterfront in a protected bay on the Vaal Dam.
Call to book a wine tasting table :
076 800 7504
Wines available to taste:
Trading Hours:
Friday & Saturday: 08h00 – 21h00
Sundays:
08h00h – 15h00
- 1 Night only in a 2-bedroom unit with a complimentary wine tasting for 4 guests: R3000.00
- 1 Night only in a standard 3-bedroom unit with a complimentary for 6 guests: R4500.00
- 1-Hour of Padel Tennis, and afterwards a wine tasting & light meal/pizza R400pp
- 2 nights in a 2-bedroom unit with a complimentary wine tasting for 4 guests & a 1-hour boat ride: R5900.00
- 2 nights in a standard 3-bedroom unit with a complimentary wine tasting for 6 guests & a 1-hour boat ride: R7600.00
- Antipasti Platter for 2 R300.00
- Prawn Arrabbiata with Fettuccine Pasta R150.00
- Four Cheese, Garlic and Basil Pizza with Sourdough Base R150.00
VILLA VERDE
In the dramatic year of 1910, as Portugal’s monarchy teetered on the brink, Jose Luis Amelia – a fearless first mate on the royal yacht – changed history forever. Disguising the royal family as humble fishermen, he orchestrated their daring escape to Gibraltar, earning him the title Sir Jose Villa Verde.
Fast forward to 1994, and his legacy of bravery, honor, and Portuguese pride lives on in Villa Verde – a restaurant where history, flavor, and culture unite!
Call to book a wine tasting table : 016 932 3413
Wines available to taste:
Weekend Trading Hours:
Saturday : 11h00 – 22h00
Sunday :11h00 – 21h30
Kitchen Hours:
Saturday : 11h00 – 21h30
Sunday :11h00 – 21h00
The Waterfront country Lodge & Spa
The Waterfront Country Lodge & Spa is situated in Southern Gauteng on the banks of the Vaal River. The lodge is set in beautiful surroundings and has well-appointed accommodation and immaculate service. These elements all combine to create a tranquil getaway. It is a perfect, hidden gem away from the hustle and bustle of the city life, yet it is only 45-minutes away from Johannesburg.
Call to book a wine tasting table : 016 987 3434
Dining Specials:
- Very popular and famous 3 Course Food and Wine Pairing. Lunch including Wine R400 pp
- One Authentic Wood Burning Oven Pizza of your choice to share and tasting of 8 different wines. For 2 guests R300
- Weekend special: Standard Accommodation and Bed & Breakfast. For 2 nights per couple sharing R2000.00
- Bed & Breakfast with Wine Pairing Lunch. For 2 guests only R1800.00
- Spa & Wine Special: Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage with Aromatherapy or Hot Stone and tasting of 8 Different Wines. Single R300 Couples R550.00. From 9:00 – 16:00. Bookings Essential.
Wines available to taste:
Weekend Trading Hours:
Accommodation reception desk is open 24/7
Kitchen Hours:
12h00-15h00 (Booking essential)
Wood burning Pizza Oven Pizza available from 11h00 – 21h00
The Iron Restaurant
A mere 45min drive from Johannesburg, you will find The Iron Restaurant, situated on the beautiful Emfuleni Golf Estate in Vanderbijlpark.
The Iron Club’s collection of establishments include a sophisticated upmarket restaurant named The Iron Restaurant, that hosts no specific style to our cuisine other than exceptional taste, quality and presentation. Our Fusion menu will tantalise your taste buds with novel flavour combinations.
Specials:
- Canape Platter for 2 R299.00
- Kids Eat Free Sundays
- T-Bone Steak & Chips from 12H00 : R199.00
Call to book a wine tasting table : 063 950 8882
Wines available to taste:
The Vaal River Lodge
- 8 x Wine Tastings & 30 Minute Back Neck & Shoulder Massage – R 250 p/p
- Margherita Pizza with any 2 toppings and 8 wine tastings – R 200 p/p
- Cheese & Cracker Board and 8 Wine tastings – R 180 p/p
- Curry of the day with Rice & Sambals with 8 Wine Tasting – R 180 p/p
- Beef Lasagna & Salad with 8 Wine Tasting – R 180 p/p
- 1 Night Accommodation 2 people sharing Bed & Breakfast, 8 Wine Tasting each, Free Wine Glass – R 1990.00
Call to book a wine tasting table :
- Laurel: 082 883 7505
- Angie: 079 551 9939
Wines available to taste:
John Dory’s Three Rivers
- 3 Course Meal with a Wine Pairing R200pp
- Hake and Chips R99.00
- Steak + Side and one glass of wine R99.00
- Sushi Class and Wine Pairing R249.90
Call to book a wine tasting table :
016 023 0299
Wines available to taste:
Liquid Lounge River Venue & Café
Discover our latest gem along the picturesque banks of the Vaal River – The River. Located within the tranquil Emerald River Resort, this unique venue is a celebration of life on the water, steeped in nostalgia and charm. With a rich history of creating memories on the Vaal, we’ve brought our love for the river to life through a beautifully designed space adorned with timeless photographs and stories of our time on the water.
Dine, Relax, and Celebrate
- Call to book a wine tasting table :
083 664 3394
Wines available to taste:
Dine, Cruise & accommodation specials sold separately
- Wine tasting R80 per person (8 different wines)
- Gourmet sandwiches from R120 per person at our River Venue & Café
- Lady Elizabeth @ R220 per person for an 1 hour charter
- Liquid Lounge Sunday lunch @ R660 per person | 2 hour cruise including buffet & live entertainment
- 2 night stay on House of Zia houseboat @ R6800 | Max 4 guests, self-catering
Weekend trading hours
Saturday 11H00 – 17H00 Saturday 10H00 – 16H00
Kitchen trading hours
Sunday 11H00 – 16H00 Sunday 10H00 – 15H00
Pont De Val
Call to book a wine tasting table :
016 004 0019
Wines available to taste:
Sunday Lunch Carvery+ Wine Tasting (8 wines) for R365 per person
Book here
Wine tasting (8 wines) & 2-course Table d’ Hôte for R445 per person
Pont de Val case of 6 wines – R995 only!
Pont de Val case of 4 wines – R695 only!
Duo Amour Couple’s Package for R3950 includes complimentary wine tasting of 8 wines
Join us for a fabulous breakaway for two! This includes a spa treatment of your choice, dinner at Pont de Val Restaurant with our Table d’hôte menu, a luxury overnight stay, and breakfast the next morning.
Riverside Sun
Specials :
The wine route tour offers a Friday hotpot dinner and wine pairing, as well as Bed & Breakfast. R2555.00pp
Hotpot Dinner excluding accommodation R530pp
- Food – R450pp
- Wine tasting – R80pp
Call to book a wine tasting table :
016 982 7300
Wines available to taste:
