Nestled amidst rolling vineyards and picturesque landscapes lies the Cape Winelands of South Africa. It is no secret that the Western Cape (in particular the Cape Winelands) has some of the finest wine in the world.
The three major wine regions in the Cape Winelands include Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl.
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Here are some of the best farms to visit in each region:
Franschhoek
This wine region is probably the capital for wine and food; here you get some of the best farms. You’ll also find the famous Franschhoek Wine Tram. This is an excellent way to experience many of the farms without having to worry about driving around.
Explore the charming village of Franschhoek, immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the valley as you sample exquisite wines, indulge in gourmet cuisine, and soak up the beautiful scenery.
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Farms that are worth the visit in Franschhoek:
Vrede en Lust
(📍) Vrede en Lust (meaning Peace and Delight) dates back to 1688 and was founded by a Flemish merchant called Jacques De Savoye. Ever since the farm has changed hands many times.
Vrede en Lust is located on the foothill of the Simonsberg and here you can enjoy some wine tastings and pairings overlooking the gorgeous vineyards. There is a restaurant called LUST Bistro and Bakery and also some great accommodation.
You do not need to book a wine tasting as this takes place on a first-come first-serve basis, but booking is required for wine pairing.
Tasting:
- Premium Tasting includes 5 wines
- Flagship Tasting includes 5 wines
Pairing: (booking required!)
- Lindt Excellence Chocolate and Wine Pairing
- Dalewood Cheese and Wine Pairing
Boschendal
(📍) Boschendal is one of my absolute favourite farms and is also one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa. This farm has so much to offer, from luxury accommodation, wine tasting under a massive oak tree, picnics, summer markets, dining at a beautiful restaurant, and so much more.
Boschendal was first granted to Jean le Long, a French Huguenot, back in 1685. It was then bought by Abraham de Villiers in 1715 and remained in the de Villiers family for 164 years.
You can enjoy wine tasting under the massive oak tree that dates back 320 years. Or on chilly days, you can relax in front of the fireplace located inside.
Tasting:
- Under the oaks tasting is R50pp.
- 1685 range wine tasting is R85pp.
- White/ red wine tasting is R125pp.
- Their premium tasting is R250pp.
Pairing:
- Chocolatier’s wine pairing is R150pp.
- Cheese and wine pairing is R150pp.
- Charcuterie and wine pairing is R150pp.
Haute Cabriere
(📍) Haute Cabriere is home to Pierre Jourdan and was established in 1694 by French Huguenot Pierre Jourdan. The farm offers spectacular views of the mountain range that surrounds it.
Make sure to take a picture of the famous yellow frame that frames the gorgeous mountains that stand tall in the far distance.
Also, make use of their daily cellar tours that take place at 12 p.m.
Tastings:
- Pierre Jourdan Discovery
- Family Favourites
- Shades of Chardonnay
- The different Pinot Noir
Allee Bleue
(📍) Allee Bleue is a modern farm that offers some really good wine tastings. The farm was established back in 1690, but it was only brought back to life by Friedrich-Wilhelm Dauphin when the farm came into their possession in 1999.
You can either enjoy your wine tasting outside overlooking the vineyards or inside.
Tasting:
- Signature collection includes 5 wines
- Estate collection also includes 5 wines
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is located along the banks of the Eerste River and at the foot of the Stellenbosch Mountain range. It is known as the City of Oaks because of the many oak trees that were planted by its founder Simon van der Stel. You can also find some of the best wine farms in this region.
Some wine farms that are worth the visit in Stellenbosch:
Spier
(📍) Spier is the oldest wine farm in Stellenbosch and also one of my favourites to visit. It was established in 1692 and was granted to Arnoud Jansz. Spier has South Africa’s oldest dated wine cellar. The old oaks on Spier date to the early colonial period, and this includes the great oak in the centre of the farm’s werf buildings. Over the years, there were many buildings built on the farm.
You can also stay at the Spier Hotel which opened in 2000 and has 80 rooms that are clustered around six courtyards. The hotel has its peaceful garden and a pool which is located close to the Eerste River.
There are so many great activities to do on the farm that can keep young and old busy for days. Order a nice picnic and go enjoy the nice scenery of the farm. Grab a bite to eat at the Farm Café, Hotel restaurant or Vadas Smokehouse and Bakery.
Booking is essential for wine tasting and can be enjoyed at their wine-tasting location.
Tasting:
- Wine Blend Experience
- Winemaker Selection
- Spier Tasting
- Organic Wine Tasting
Pairing:
- Chocolate and Wine Tasting
Alluvia Boutique Winery
(📍) Alluvia is a boutique winery that is tucked away in a valley, surrounded by mountains. Here you can enjoy some delicious wine in their tasting lounge, grab something to eat at their bistro-style restaurant, enjoy a spa session and/or stay at their luxury accommodation. I actually regret not visiting this farm during the day, as the view from the dining area is just spectacular.
Tasting:
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Sauvignon Black
- Add a Rose Tasting at an additional fee
Delaire Graff Estate
Okay, so (📍) Delaire Graff Estate definitely has a driveway that should only exist in fairy tales. Definitely one of the prettiest entrances I’ve ever driven and one of the most luxurious wine farms I’ve visited. From their tasting room, you get 360-degree views of the mountain and wine valley from afar. The farm is located at the peak of the Helshoogte Pass and it overlooks the Banghoek Valley.
The farm got its name Delaire from John and Erica Platter, which means eyrie. Mainly for its sweeping views over the Valley.
Tasting:
- Three wines
- Four wines
- Five wines
- Their red wine selection consists of 5 wines
- The Icon wine tasting consists of 4 wines
Tokara Wine Farm
This was the wine farm that was mostly recommended to me by everyone on Instagram. (📍) Tokara Wine Farm is located on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass and is especially known for its gorgeous architecture. They don’t only specialize in wine, but also in olives. From the farm, you can see the Simonsberg Mountains, False Bay, Table Mountain and the Idas Valley.
Although we didn’t have time to do a wine tasting, we did wander through the farm, exploring the Orchard Walk that leads to the Selfie deck.
Booking for the wine tasting is essential.
JC le Roux
(📍) JC le Roux is mostly known for its bubbly/ champagne and is also the leader in sparkling wine in South Africa. The House of J.C. le Roux was established in 1982 and was also the first sparkling wine cellar in South Africa. Did you know that each ribbon on the bottles has been placed on the bottles by hand for over 45 years?
The restaurant is located on the top floor of the building and the wine tasting takes place below.
Tasting:
- Sparkling Wine Tasting
- Mixed Wine Tasting
Pairing:
- Nougat Pairing
- Bubbly and Cheesecake Pairing
- Pizza and Bubbly Pairing
Le Pommier
(📍) Le Pommier means apple tree in French and was once an apple orchard. The farm is part of the 300-year-old Zorgvliet farm. To this day, you will find some apple trees around Le Pommier. You can enjoy some wine tasting with beautiful views, order a picnic to enjoy, grab lunch at their restaurant or stay at their any one of their six luxury suites.
Le Pommier’s first vineyards were planted in 1997 and were relaunched in 2015.
Tastings:
- · 3 Wines
- · 5 Wines
- · The Vertical Cabernet Franc Voyage
Pairings:
- · Pizza and wine pairing
- · South African Food and Wine Pairing
- · Wine and South African Soup Pairing
Cavalli Estate
(📍) Cavalli Estate is located in the Helderberg region of Stellenbosch and is known for its gorgeous gardens and beautiful restaurant overlooking a dam, creating a tranquil experience.
This is the first restaurant and gallery space in South Africa to aim for a Green Star SA certification. There was so much detail put into the building of this estate.
Tasting:
- Express Tasting of 3 wines
- Full Tasting of 6 wines
Pairing:
- Wine and Sorbet Pairing
- Gourmet Oyster and Wine Pairing
Paarl
Paarl is derived from Parel, which means “pearl” in Dutch. This is the third-oldest city in South Africa and also the largest town in the Cape Winelands. It is situated in the shadow of the imposing Paarl Rock and is renowned for its rich heritage. Take a leisurely drive along the Paarl Wine Route, where you’ll encounter rolling vineyards, towering granite outcrops and sweeping views of the valley below.
Here are some wine farms that are worth the visit in Paarl:
Babylonstoren
It is no surprise that this is one of the most popular farms in the Cape Winelands and also one of my favourites. You can literally spend the whole day here and still not be done exploring the farm. (📍) Babylonstoren is one of the oldest working Cape Dutch farms in the Winelands region.
The farm is known for its beautiful gardens that you can explore by yourself, or you can partake in a garden tour. There are two very popular restaurants, Babel and the Greenhouse Café, and also some great wine to taste.
The tasting room is adjacent to the Wine Cellar and here you have some amazing views of the Babylonstoren hill, as well as the Simonsberg and Banghoek Mountains.
Tasting:
- Express Tasting includes 3 wines
- Tasting of Seven Wines
- You can also add Flagship wines at an additional cost.
Make sure to attend their cellar tours which happen daily at 10h00, 13h00 and 16h00 which include a tasting of all the wines. Booking is essential.
Nederburg
(📍) Nederburg dates back to 1791 and was formally known as Nederburgh, but the ‘h’ was later dropped from the spelling of the farm’s name and it is to this day known as Nederburg. The farm was granted to German immigrant Philippus Wolvaart and he named the farm after VOC commissioner – Sebastian Cornelis Nederburgh.
Here you can enjoy some wine tasting either in their tasting room or under the oak trees outside. This farm is also perfect for kids, as there is enough space for them to play.
We had such a lovely lunch under the oak trees whilst we enjoyed some wine tasting. All this while listening to live music. This has been one of the best atmospheres to drink wine at.
Tastings:
- Choose any 5 wines to taste
You can also do a Brew tasting where you can taste some interesting speciality coffee by Freedom Coffee. This is matched with some of Nederburg’s red and white wines.
Fairview Wine and Cheese Farm
When you think of (📍) Fairview Wine and Cheese Farm, then you think about the goats roaming around at the entrance of the farm. Fairview Farm was known as Bloemkoolfontein and was granted to the first settler in 1693. The first wine on the farm was made in 1699. Back in 1980, the dairy goat herd started and the cheese factory started growing in 1990.
Here you can enjoy some wine tasting in their tasting room which consists of 4 unique barrel-shaped pods that encourage a more social tasting. You can also enjoy some delicious food at the Goatshed restaurant.
Tasting:
- The Farmer’s Tasting consists of 6 wines paired with 4 kinds of cheese and 2 cured meats
- Standard Tasting consists of 6 wines paired with 6 cheeses
You can also do a Cheese Tasting for R25pp and this consists of a selection of 6 cheeses.
Booking is required for both the wine and cheese tasting.
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