Explore The Wine Emporium @ Root44

Wine Tasting in Stellenbosch

This destination deserves a top spot on your list! Many are already familiar with the long-standing Root 44 Market, but it was Covid that provided owners Dax and Irene Hunt the opportunity to create their vision for Root44 – a state-of-the-art facility where vendors can establish a more permanent stand, infusing vibrancy, style, and quality for enthusiastic market-goers. The building blends beautifully with the surroundings and opens to a spectacular view of Stellenbosch’s finest – mountains and vineyards!

The dream did not stop there. Born in Stellenbosch, Dax envisioned an offering for the first floor of the building, combining his love for wine and creating jobs. With the opening of the first floor on December 8, 2022, a dream is taking shape.

The first floor boasts no stalls; instead, it is a curated space managed by Dax and Irene themselves. Surrounded by a stylish interior, it features an art gallery, a sports bar, an oyster bar, a café, a restaurant, and, most importantly, a wine shop and tasting room presenting local wines, providing guests with a diverse tasting experience of Stellenbosch wines.

The wine shop is inspired by a journey through the Stellenbosch wine route. It lists over 300 wines categorized by the five sub-regions of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes. These five stations are presented with an artistic interpretation of the region's character, offering customers a visually exploratory experience.

An alphabetical index at the entrance is a great starting point to find your favorite wine brand, directing you to the sub-section where it can be located. For Dax, this platform aims not only to showcase renowned wineries of Stellenbosch but also the smaller, dynamic wine producers. It is a modern shop with beautiful gifts and an oversized walk-in fridge, encouraging longer stays in front of the lush shelves.

If that doesn’t keep you busy for long enough, adjacent to the wine shop is the tasting room, where comparative varietal tastings from the five stations can take place. Over 50 wines are available for tasting! Depending on your mood, you can gain a great overview of the wines and styles from Stellenbosch.

The tasting room also boasts three intriguing wine-food pairings – a pairing of bubbly and meringue, a white wine and shortbread pairing, and a red wine and charcuterie pairing. The charcuterie is supplied by meat guru Ryan Boon and is also sold in the wine shop.

Enjoy your wine with ample cheese and meat platters, and if that’s not enough – head to the continental-style restaurant that offers something for every taste. There’s no reason not to spend the day at Root44.

The first floor of Root44, especially The Wine Emporium, is the perfect landing spot for first-time visitors to Stellenbosch who have limited time to get an overview of the region's wine offerings from a bird's-eye view. It is the place where exploration and discovery take center stage, potentially leading the next big fan of South African wines to the wine farms after a remarkable tasting experience at Root44.