The Goat Tower, Animal structure at Fairview Cheese & Wine Farm, South Africa.
The Goat Tower is a brick and mortar structure on the Fairview Cheese & Wine Farm grounds with a spiral wooden ramp connecting multiple levels. The design provides separate compartments where the Saanen goats can climb and rest at different heights.
Charles Back built this structure in 1981 after discovering a similar design during a visit to Portugal's Aveleda winery. The Portuguese inspiration shaped how the tower functions as both shelter and climbing space for the farm animals.
The wine name Goats do Roam playfully references the Saanen breed and draws a connection to French wine traditions. The goats live out their natural climbing instincts daily while visitors watch them move through the structure.
You can watch the goats climbing the exterior staircase while exploring the farm's wine and cheese production facilities. The best viewing times are when the animals are most active, usually in the early morning or late afternoon hours.
The structure blends functional animal housing with thoughtful design features including windows and a metal roof for the goats' comfort. This combination of practical purpose and architectural detail makes it far more than a simple animal shelter.
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