The Rheenendal Ramble remains one of the Garden Route’s best kept secrets. It is here that you will find gems like VegTable Private Dining Room, the popular Jubilee Creek picnic site, the Dalene Matthee Memorial and the Drupkelders Rock Pools.
The Rheenendal Ramble is also home to Leeuwenbosch Dairy Products, the Garden Route’s best known and well-loved dairy. The founder of Leeuwenbosch, Gerhard Beyleveld, came from humble beginnings yet his life is a testament to what hard work, drive and dedication can accomplish. A diverse farmer who could truly turn his hand to anything; his farming career started with sugarcane, includes accolades like being the first hops farmer in South Africa, and led to the small beginnings of Leeuwenbosch in 1988.
The Leeuwenbosch legacy began with a cow called Amen and a right-hand man called William.
In 2012 Oom Gerhard ‘retired’ and left operations of the dairy in the capable hands of his two sons. Gert, the farmer who takes care of the herd, and Hein, who is responsible for manufacturing and distribution.
The Leeuwenbosch Factory Store and Farm Stall is situated just off the N2 on the Rheenendal road and the coffee shop and store is a tranquil haven for locals and visitors alike. Ample seating caters for conditions all year round yet nothing beats the view from the open deck – rightly called ‘one of the most spectacular views in the Garden Route’. The playground includes a farm yard with chickens, geese, pigs and rabbits and it’s always a delightful visit for smaller children.
While friendlier service cannot be found in the Garden Route, the best reason to visit is Leeuwenbosch’s dairy products, available at factory prices, or any of the delectable goodies on offer. The Sunday roast is extremely popular and bookings are definitely a necessity. The farm stall is possibly most famous for its scones with clotted cream and the breakfasts.
Leeuwenbosch Factory Store and Farm Stall also caters for small functions, birthdays and baby showers.
The factory, Leeuwenbosch Dairy Products, is situated further along the Rheenendal road and, while it is the spill around which everything turns, it is not open to the public. Their full fat range of yoghurts, their range of Feta cheeses, and the abovementioned cream, are Delightful Dairy at its best and is distributed throughout the Garden Route and Klein Karoo.
For Valentine’s Day we rustled up a quick and easy treat for the office:
Cut heart shapes into the outstanding puff pastry from Deeghuys in Garden Route Mall, bake them for about 10 minutes at 200°C until they are golden brown. Break them in half and serve with 250ml Leeuwenbosch cream whipped with a teaspoon on icing sugar. Serve with seasonal berries.
Leeuwenbosch Factory Store and Farm Stall is open:
Monday – Friday from 07:00 to 17:00
Saturday from 08:00 to 17:00
Sunday from 08:00 to 14:30
You can contact them on 044 386 0116
Find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LeeuwenboschFarmStall/
Read more about them on TripAdvisor http://ow.ly/OYeT3093fXe
Leeuwenbosch Dairy Products is open:
Monday – Friday from 08:00 to 17:00
Saturday – 08:00 to 13:00
You can contact them on 044 050 1145
Find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Leeuwenbosch/
Find them on Instagram at leeuwenbosch
Visit their website at www.leeuwenboschdairies.co.za
Pictures: RianaH @ Shutterbug Photographic
