Situated at the centre of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, the university town of Stellenbosch is known for its picturesque base and is a great place to explore some of the country’s best vineyards.
From this cluster of wineries, some focus exclusively on wine-making while others have expanded to offer luxury dining and accommodation.
Amazing Stellenbosch Wineries to Visit
Here are the top 7 amazing Stellenbosch vineyards to visit if you plan to make a trip to the Western Cape.
1. Kleine Zalze Wine Estate
Located to the south of Stellenbosch, Kleine Zalze Wine Estate is all set against a magnificent mountain backdrop. This estate produces award-winning wines.
This estate is also packed with Terroir Restaurant and De Zalze Lodge, and a beautiful Cape Dutch-style country house featuring rooms for an overnight stay.
2. Spier Wine Farm
To reach Spier Wine Farm you should take the R310 out of Stellenbosch in the opposite direction. This Spier specializes in organic fair trade-accredited wines, where you can taste and try the estate’s two premium wine ranges whereas the kids can be kept occupied by a Children’s Grape Juice Tasting.
Here you can find many dining venues that including Eight Restaurant, which also boasts a hotel, conference facilities and one of the country’s biggest assortment of contemporary art.
3. Tokara Wine Estate
Situated on the southern slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, Tokara Wine Estate is an assortment of vineyards and olive groves. It is also embellished with an impressive collection of sculptures and artworks, including Marco Cianfanelli’s astonishing installation.
You can try them in the estate tasting room or at TOKARA Restaurant. At TOKARA Delicatessen you enjoy the food in a family-friendly restaurant and a gourmet food shop specializing in olive oil products.
4. Waterford Wine Estate
This estate is located at a 20-minute drive south of Stellenbosch in beautiful Blaauwklippen Valley. Spread across 120 hectares of land Waterford Wine Estate has a Mediterranean-style villa where a range of tasting experiences awaits.
This estate is known for its Wine & Chocolate Experience which pairs handcrafted chocolates. You can also have a unique experience including the three-hour Wine Drive Safari and the Porcupine Trail Walk, during which you can taste wines in the breathtaking setting of their vineyard of origin.
5. Peter Falke Wines
Located to the south of Stellenbosch, Peter Falke Wines is yet another boutique estate located on the slopes of the Helderberg mountains.
Its picturesque ambience with manicured vineyards accompanied by fields of roses and wild lavender has 18th-century Cape Dutch buildings juxtaposed with chic contemporary interiors. You can taste wines here from Tuesday to Sunday in the tasting room, where you can also order a salad, cheese platters, and sundowners.
6. Marianne Wine Estate
This boutique winery is situated to the north of Stellenbosch in the Simonsberg foothills. Spread across 32 hectares, the estate is owned by a Frenchman who is known for his classic French style of winemaking, using manual harvesting and an extended aging process in French oak and acacia barrels.
You can go for Wine & Biltong Pairing or the Madiba’s Tasting. Its specialty is Floreal wine, which was served at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday.
7. House of J.C. Le Roux
It is known as the first dedicated sparkling wine cellar in South Africa, the House of J.C. Le Rouxis. Located to the northwest of Stellenbosch on a farm founded in 1704, the estate’s light-filled tasting room offers a range of fun experiences.
You can sample the Olive Pairing or Nougat Experience, or sample four Méthode Cap Classique wines including the J.C. Le Roux flagship. This estate also has Le Venue restaurant, known for its picturesque mountain views and seasonal breakfast and lunch menus.
Synopsis
The above listed are the most amazing and widely popular Stellenbosch Wineries that you cannot resist sampling if you happen to plan a visit to South Africa.
