The Wine Emporium @ Root44: A New Destination for Wine Lovers

Wine Tasting in Stellenbosch

This destination is undeniably a must-visit! Many are already familiar with the established Root 44 Market, but it was the Covid pandemic that gave owners Dax and Irene Hunt the opportunity to realize their envisioned concept for Root44 – a modern structure where vendors can solidify their stands, all while infusing vibrancy, style, and quality for visitors. The building beautifully integrates with its surroundings and provides a spectacular view of Stellenbosch's mountains and vineyards!

The dream continues. Dax, originally from Stellenbosch, combined his passion for wine and a desire to create jobs with the planning of the first floor. With the opening on December 8, 2022, this dream takes shape.

The first floor features no stalls; instead, it is a curated space managed by Dax and Irene themselves. Within a stylishly designed interior, you'll find an art gallery, a sports bar, an oyster bar, a café, a restaurant, and prominently, a wine shop and tasting room that showcases the richness of Stellenbosch wines.

The wine store is inspired by an experiential journey along the Stellenbosch wine route, listing over 300 wines organized by the five sub-regions of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes. These five stations feature artistic interpretations of the region's allure, providing customers with a visually impressive experience.

An alphabetical index at the entrance is helpful for locating your favorite brand, guiding you to the respective subsection. Dax aims to highlight not only the renowned wineries of Stellenbosch but also the smaller, innovative producers. The modern shop also features beautiful gifts and an oversized walk-in fridge, encouraging extended exploration among the lush shelves.

If that isn’t enough, adjacent to the wine shop is the tasting room, where you can sample various varietals from the five stations. Over 50 wines are available for tasting! You’ll gain a comprehensive overview of different wines and styles from Stellenbosch.

In the tasting room, you can look forward to three intriguing wine-food pairings – a bubbly and meringue combo, a white wine and shortbread pairing, and a red wine and charcuterie pairing. These charcuterie selections come from meat expert Ryan Boon, who is also part of the wine shop.

Enjoy your wine with generous cheese and meat platters, and if that's not enough – stop by the stylish restaurant, which caters to every palate. There’s no reason not to spend the entire day at Root44.

The first floor of Root44, especially The Wine Emporium, becomes the ideal destination for first-time visitors of Stellenbosch who have limited time to get a bird’s eye view of the region's wine offerings. Here, exploration and discovery take center stage, potentially leading the next big fan of South African wines to the vineyards after an exceptional tasting experience at Root44.