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Winelands
Venturing inland and upwards from Cape Town you’ll find the Boland, meaning ‘upland’. It’s a superb wine-producing area, and indeed the best known in South Africa. The magnificent mountain ranges around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek provide ideal microclimates for the vines.
There’s been colonial settlement here since the latter half of the 17th century, when the Dutch first founded Stellenbosch and the French Huguenots settled in Franschhoek. Both towns pride themselves on their innovative young chefs, many based at wine estates, and the region has become the mainspring of South African cuisine. Along with Paarl, these towns make up the core of the Winelands, but there are many more wine-producing places to explore. Pretty Tulbagh, with its many historical buildings, is known for MCC (Méthode Cap Classique – the local version of Champagne), and Robertson's scattered wineries offer unpretentious, family-friendly places to taste.
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These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Winelands.
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La Motte
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-pairing lunches and dinners are served at the Pierneef à la Motte restaurant. The restaurant is named for South African artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef and a collection of his work is on show at the on-site museum. This is also the starting point for historical walks (R50) through the estate, taking in four national monuments and a milling demonstration and ending with a bread tasting (Wednesday 10am, bookings essential). If you’ve overindulged, walk off a few calories on the 5km circular hike that starts at the farm.
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Boschendal
This is a quintessential Winelands estate, with lovely architecture, food and wine. Tasting options include bubbly, brandy or wine and chocolate pairing. There are excellent vineyard and cellar tours; booking is essential. When it comes to eating, there are various options, from sandwiches or cake at the Farmshop & Deli to bistro lunches featuring produce grown on the farm at the Werf. On Sundays you can partake in a huge buffet lunch (adult/child R325/160) in the 1795 homestead, while picnics (basket for two R480, bookings essential) can be ordered to enjoy under parasols on the lawn from September to May. Mountain-biking trails start from the farm, for those who feel like working up an appetite.
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Spier
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 available. There are superb birds-of-prey displays (adult/child R75/65), Segway tours through the vines, three restaurants, and picnics to enjoy in the grounds. Look out for special events in the summer months, including open-air cinema evenings and live entertainment.
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Vergelegen
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’ feel to them. You can take a tour of the gardens, a cellar tour or just enjoy a tasting of four of the estate's wines. Tasting the flagship Vergelegen Red costs an extra R10. There are also two restaurants. The bistro-style Stables (mains R80 to R165, 9am to 5pm) overlooks the Rose Garden and has a super cool kids' playground. For a more upmarket meal, try Camphors (three courses R395, noon to 3pm Wednesday to Sunday, 6.30pm to 9pm Friday and Saturday). Picnic hampers (R255 per person, November to April only) are also available – bookings are essential for these and Camphors.
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Warwick Estate
Warwick’s red wines are legendary, particularly its Bordeaux blends. The winery offers an informative Big Five wine safari (referring to grape varieties, not large mammals) through the vineyards, and picnics (R550 for two people) to enjoy on the lawns. Advance bookings are required for picnics, but simple cheeseboards are available if you just rock up.
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Waterkloof
The stunning contemporary architecture here is a fine contrast to the familiar Cape Dutch buildings at older estates. The estate specialises in biodynamic wines and ecofriendly farming methods – take a two-hour guided walk (10am and 4.30pm, R710 with two-course lunch/dinner) around the estate to learn more. Horse riding (R750 with lunch) is also offered, and if you’re feeling particularly flush you could fly in from Cape Town by helicopter (R11,250 per person with six-course meal). The restaurant is one of the Winelands' best and advance bookings are recommended.
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Grande Provence
A beautifully revamped, 18th-century manor house that is home to a stylish restaurant and a splendid gallery showcasing contemporary South African art. There is a range of tasting options, including a canapé pairing (R120), nougat pairing (R70) and grape-juice tasting for the kids (R20), plus the chance to blend your own wine (R350). It's within walking distance of the town centre.
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Villiera
Villiera produces several excellent Méthode Cap Classique wines and a highly rated and well-priced shiraz. Excellent two-hour wildlife drives (adult/child R220/110) with knowledgeable guides take in antelope, zebras, giraffes and various bird species on the farm and are followed by a tasting. Bookings are essential for the game drives.
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Solms-Delta
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-Delta story from the perspective of farm workers throughout the years. On the culinary side, there’s Fyndraai Restaurant, serving original dishes inspired by the Cape's varied cultures and using herbs from the on-site indigenous garden. You can also opt for a picnic (adult/child R235/75), to be enjoyed along an enchanting riverside trail.
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