Must-see attractions in Winelands

  • Simondium near Paarl Western Cape South Africa, Vineyard of the Babylonstoren wine estate.

    Babylonstoren

    Winelands

    This 2.5-sq-km wine and fruit farm is on the north slope of the Simonsberg mountain between Klapmuts and Paarl. Its highlight is an 800-sq-metre, formally…

  • Wine farm in Franschhoek, Western Cape South Africa - Image of La Motte wine estate with young grape vines, roses and lavender plants

    La Motte

    Franschhoek

    There’s enough to keep you occupied for a full day at this vast estate just west of Franschhoek. As well as tastings of the superb shiraz range, wine…

  • "Boschendal vineyard, Cape Winelands, Western Cape, South Africa."

    Boschendal

    Franschhoek

    This is a quintessential Winelands estate, with lovely architecture, food and wine. Tasting options include bubbly, brandy or wine and chocolate pairing…

  • Restaurant and picnic area at Spice Route.

    Spice Route

    Winelands

    Spice Route is known for its complex red wines, particularly the Flagship syrah. Aside from wine there is a lot going on, including glass-blowing…

  • Lake at Spier Wine Farm.

    Spier Hotel and Wine Farm

    Stellenbosch

    Spier has some excellent shiraz, cabernet and red blends, though a visit to this vast winery is less about wine and more about the other activities…

  • Avondale

    Winelands

    This quiet spot in a gracious old homestead serves delectable, organically made wines. The formal tasting takes around an hour, or you can join a two-hour…

  • Viljoensdrift

    Winelands

    One of Robertson’s most popular places to sip, especially on weekends. Put together a picnic from the deli, buy a bottle from the cellar door and taste on…

  • "An old Colonial Farm and vineyard near Cape Town , SouthAfrica"

    Vergelegen

    Stellenbosch

    Simon van der Stel’s son Willem first planted vines here in 1700. The buildings and elegant grounds have ravishing mountain views and a ‘stately home’…

  • Warwick Estate

    Stellenbosch

    Warwick’s red wines are legendary, particularly its Bordeaux blends. The winery offers an informative Big Five wine safari (referring to grape varieties,…

  • Sign board outside Excelsior winery.

    Excelsior

    Winelands

    Tastings take place on a wooden deck overlooking a reservoir – it's a delightful spot. The real draw, though, is the 'blend your own' experience, where…

  • Waterkloof

    Stellenbosch

    The stunning contemporary architecture here is a fine contrast to the familiar Cape Dutch buildings at older estates. The estate specialises in biodynamic…

  • Grande Provence

    Franschhoek

    A beautifully revamped, 18th-century manor house that is home to a stylish restaurant and a splendid gallery showcasing contemporary South African art…

  • Villiera

    Stellenbosch

    Villiera produces several excellent Méthode Cap Classique wines and a highly rated and well-priced shiraz. Excellent two-hour wildlife drives (adult/child…

  • Solms-Delta

    Franschhoek

    In addition to tastings and sales, various heritage tours are available at this excellent winery. The museum here covers Cape history and tells the Solms…

  • Tokara

    Stellenbosch

    Tokara is renowned for its excellent wines – particularly chardonnay and sauvignon blanc – and for its upmarket restaurant (mains R210 to R260; bookings…

  • Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden

    Winelands

    Showcasing the array of succulents and desert plants found in the Karoo, this garden is well worth a stop if you're travelling along the N1. Only a small…

  • Middelvlei

    Stellenbosch

    A short drive from the centre of Stellenbosch, this wine estate is also great for families: kids can enjoy the petting farm, lawn games and a juice and…

  • Fairview

    Winelands

    This hugely popular estate off Rte 101, 6km south of Paarl, is a wonderful winery, but not the place to come for a tranquil tasting. It's great value,…

  • Leopard's Leap

    Franschhoek

    The bright, modern, barn-like tasting room has comfy couches strewn around – you can either take your tasters to enjoy at leisure or sit at the bar for a…

  • Vergenoegd

    Stellenbosch

    Other than tastings, there's lots of kid-friendly fun, including a chance to meet the workforce of ducks that help keep the vineyards pest- and pesticide…

  • Delaire Graff Estate

    Stellenbosch

    The views are magnificent from this ‘vineyard in the sky’, which has a gorgeous hotel and spa and two gourmet restaurants including Indochine (mains R225…

  • Drakenstein Correctional Centre

    Winelands

    On 11 February 1990, when Nelson Mandela walked free from incarceration for the first time in over 27 years, the jail he left was not on Robben Island,…

  • Lynedoch EcoVillage

    Winelands

    An initiative of the Sustainability Institute, Lynedoch EcoVillage is an ecologically designed and socially mixed community designed to be self-sustaining…

  • Van Loveren

    Winelands

    Specialising in affordable wines, Van Loveren offers a range of tasting options including pairings with cheese, chocolate and charcuterie as well as a…

  • Franschhoek Motor Museum

    Franschhoek

    If you're all wined out, check out the amazing collection of classic cars here. There are 80 mint-condition automobiles on show, from a 1903 Ford Model A…

  • KWV Sensorium

    Winelands

    Just when you thought you'd seen every possible pairing option, KWV chooses to couple its wines with local art inspired by the region. It's a fun way to…

  • Marianne Wines

    Stellenbosch

    Perched at the end of a rutted road, Marianne has a light-filled tasting room and a scenic balcony on which to sip. You can try pairing wine with biltong …

  • Hartenberg Estate

    Stellenbosch

    Thanks to a favourable microclimate, Hartenberg produces superlative red wines, particularly cabernet, merlot and shiraz. Light lunches in the courtyard…

  • Bergkelder

    Stellenbosch

    For wine lovers without wheels, this cellar a short walk from the town centre is ideal. Hour-long tours (R60) are followed by an atmospheric candlelit…

  • Oakhurst Olives

    Winelands

    The magnificent, airy tasting room tucked beneath the Winterhoek Mountains is a fine place to hang out for an hour. Tutored tasting sessions start with…

  • KWV Emporium

    Winelands

    Operating since 1918, this wine-making cooperative is particularly well known for its award-winning fortified wines and brandies. Cellar tours are…

  • Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden

    Stellenbosch

    This glorious inner-city garden is an unsung Stellenbosch sight and well worth a wander. Themed gardens include a bonsai area and tropical glasshouse, and…

  • Mont Rochelle

    Franschhoek

    Along with the uberplush hotel of the same name, this winery was bought by Richard Branson in 2014. You can pair your wines with a trio of canapés (R140),…

  • Nederburg Wines

    Winelands

    This is one of South Africa’s best-known labels, a big but professional and welcoming operation featuring a vast range of wines. As well as various wine…

  • Village Museum

    Stellenbosch

    A group of exquisitely restored and period-furnished houses dating from 1709 to 1850 make up this museum, which is a must-see. At each house you'll find a…

  • Backsberg

    Winelands

    Backsberg is a hugely popular estate thanks to its reliable label and lavish outdoor lunches – book ahead for the Sunday lamb spit braai (barbecue; R295)…

  • Ceramics Gallery

    Franschhoek

    Franschhoek boasts many fine galleries, mostly along Huguenot Rd. At the Ceramics Gallery you can watch David Walters, one of South Africa’s most…

  • Anura

    Winelands

    Foodies could hang out here for a while, tasting cheese made on the premises, grabbing a platter or picnic featuring cured meats from the deli, or…

  • Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary

    Winelands

    This long-running donkey sanctuary is a peaceful spot with a couple of dams offering good birdwatching, a tearoom serving homemade goodies and, of course,…

  • Tanagra Private Cellar

    Winelands

    Tanagra is a family-run farm offering tastings of its range of reds as well as the grappa distilled on-site. There's self-catering accommodation (two…

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