Grand venue for a Grand Finale

2015-11-17

For several years now the stunning Meerendal Wine Estate has been synonymous with the Absa Cape Epic.
From 2012 to 2014 it hosted the race’s Prologue on its legendary singletrack and in 2015 became the venue for the race’s prestigious Grand Finale: the finish of the final stage.
In 2016 the picturesque estate will again welcome home riders after their eight days of courage and endeavour.

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• Watch World Champions, Olympic Medallists and brave amateurs finish the 2016 Absa Cape Epic. This can be done from the comfort of the shaded grandstands on the finish line, the big screen in the race village or at the vantage points as the route passes through Meerendal;
• Take part in either the 6km or 12km trail run on great new routes through the local vineyards. Entries, which are limited, open on www.raceinterface.co,za in January; 
• Have children entertained at the Kids’ Zone, where they can enjoy the games on offer, face-painting or trying their hands at some art. They could also take part in a kids’ bike fun race or expend some energy on the pump track, where mountain bikes are provided for them;
• Grab a bite at one of the many food trucks in the race village;
• Relax and enjoy a drink in the shaded Castle Lite Chill Zone while watching the action live on television or the big screen;
• Celebrate the ending of the 2016 event in the Chill Zone with the Professors cover band.
• Entrance and parking will be free.

Besides these events, spectators will have an opportunity to sample the wares of the estate itself.
These include the excellently maintained mountain bike trails graded from easy to medium, which have been designed for the whole family to enjoy. Just be sure not to use those on the Absa Cape Epic course!
If you are a mountain biker and have the time, they are worth a visit on any day.

Meerendal is the perfect place to take the family for a ride and then retire to the biker-friendly restaurants to sample their excellent food or try their award-winning wines.
The Crown Restaurant is stylish, trendy and beautifully decorated and has spectacular views overlooking the Boland mountains and local vineyards.
This owner-run establishment is renowned for attention to detail, impeccable service, fine quality, value for money and is fast becoming a local favourite.
Its food philosophy is to keep things simple, elegant, fresh and tasty. The menu is designed accordingly and contains a variety of delicious local and seasonal items which are combined with trendy international flavours. The menu is changed regularly to keep tantalising the taste buds of regular customers, and also caters for the little customers.
A monthly farmers market is held on the lawn of the restaurant where local vendors sell their unique products while live music entertains the guests.

Nearby the gracious Cape Dutch homestead, originally built as the family home, has been converted into a boutique hotel with a timeless grandeur and elegance.
The spacious suites are uniquely designed and fitted with beautiful furniture, king size beds, Egyptian cotton linen and all the elements associated with five star luxury.
Air-conditioned suites are fitted with minibars, espresso machines, flat screen TVs and room safes.
Recent additions to the hotel inventory include six newly built rooms, all in the traditional Cape Dutch-style, with neatly designed verandahs and gardens.