Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. An hour out and a different landscape, with towns worth walking as much as the farms.
Guides to this part of the city
Wine estates
Babylonstoren
A 1692 Cape Dutch working farm transformed into a world-class destination. Explore the famous eight-acre edible garden, taste estate wines, and dine…
Vergelegen Wine Estate
On the Helderberg slopes in Somerset West, Vergelegen (est. 1700) spans over 3,000 hectares. It pairs award-winning Bordeaux-style wines with celebrated gardens,…
Lanzerac Wine Estate
At the foot of the Jonkershoek Mountains, historic Lanzerac (est. 1692) is the birthplace of the world’s first bottled Pinotage. Today it…
La Motte
A historic Franschhoek estate dating to 1695, La Motte blends French Huguenot heritage with award-winning wines, contemporary South African cuisine, an artisan…
Delaire Graff
Perched on the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, Delaire Graff blends acclaimed wines with fine dining, African art and a luxury…
Tokara Wine Estate
A premier Stellenbosch estate on the Helshoogte Pass, Tokara pairs internationally acclaimed wines with award-winning olive oil, fine dining and contemporary art,…
Boschendal
In the Franschhoek Valley, Boschendal (est. 1685) blends historic Cape Dutch architecture with award-winning wines, seasonal picnics, farm-to-table dining and luxury stays.…
Spier Wine Farm
Just outside Stellenbosch, Spier combines three centuries of Cape Dutch heritage with award-winning wines, chocolate pairings, art and picnics. Its regenerative farming…
Walking
La Motte Hiking Trail
La Motte’s hiking trail is a five-kilometre circular route on the estate, of which about two kilometres is trail proper. Allow two…
Jonkershoek Panorama Circuit
The Panorama Circuit is the big day in Jonkershoek. It climbs from the Eerste River to Bergriviernek, contours high across the Dwarsberg…
Dirtopia Hiking Loop, Muratie
The Dirtopia Trail Centre sits in the Ansela building on Muratie, off Knorhoek Road on the Simonsberg side of the R44. Its…
Swartboskloof to Sosyskloof
Sosyskloof is the easy loop in Jonkershoek, and it begins on exactly the same climb as the 18 kilometre Swartboskloof Trail. Where…
Tweede Waterval (Second Waterfall)
Tweede Waterval is the gentlest of the four official trails in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. The path leaves the hairpin bend on the…
Perdekop Trail
The Perdekop Trail is the big day at Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve above Franschhoek: a thirteen-kilometre circuit to the reserve’s high point…
Golf
De Zalze Golf Club
De Zalze is a Peter Matkovich design laid out across three farms on the edge of Stellenbosch, with fairways running between vineyards,…
Hazendal Golf
Hazendal Golf is the shortest full round in this collection and the only one where every hole is a par 3. Eighteen…
Stellenbosch Golf Club
Stellenbosch Golf Club is, by its own account, the fourth oldest club in South Africa: a parkland layout at the foot of…
Erinvale Golf Club
Erinvale is a Gary Player design that opened in 1995 at the foot of the Helderberg in Somerset West, about thirty minutes…
Paarl Golf Club
Paarl Golf Club has twenty-seven holes on Boschenmeer Golf and Country Estate in the Paarl and Franschhoek valley, framed by mountains, rivers…
Pearl Valley Golf Course
Pearl Valley is a Nicklaus Design course in the Paarl and Franschhoek valley off the N1 north of Cape Town, ringed by…
Things to do
Wellington Wine Walk
The Wellington Wine Walk is a guided walking experience rather than a marked public trail. Accredited guides lead small groups between historic…
Franschhoek Wine Tram
The Wine Tram is how most visitors move between Franschhoek wine estates without driving. You choose one of five colour lines and…
Hot Air Ballooning
A sunrise flight over the Cape Winelands, lifting off from farmland as the light comes up. Flights go only when the air…
Cape Winelands Wine Tour
A driver lets you enjoy the tastings without worrying about the road home. Send us your dates, your group size and any…
Mountain biking
Bottelary Yellow Loop from Brenaissance
A mapped version of Bottelary Hills’ official Yellow Loop starting from Brenaissance, one of the Conservancy’s recognised access points. The route heads…
The Ibex
One of MTO Jonkershoek’s three featured routes, The Ibex combines a substantial valley climb with contour riding and a sequence of flowing…
Helderberg Farm Black Section
Helderberg Farm’s most demanding marked MTB route, combining a compact 12 km loop with substantial climbing and Black-grade riding. Green, Blue and…
Bovenland Red
Bovenland Red is a 12 km circular route in the Paarl Trails network, starting and finishing at Spice Route Destination. Paarl Trails…
The ABC Trail
A primary-confirmed Green route at Muratie built from three sections: A is 3.7 km to Gilloolys, C returns 2.7 km, and the…
More about this area
Everything else in Cape Winelands
Rust en Vrede
Overview Situated on the lower slopes of the Helderberg Mountains in Stellenbosch, Rust en Vrede Wine Estate is one of South Africa’s most respected red wine producers. Established in 1694, it has earned an international reputation for exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Bordeaux-style blends, as well as its world-renowned fine dining restaurant. Unlike many estates […]
Fairview Wine & Cheese
Overview On the scenic slopes of Paarl Mountain, Fairview Wine & Cheese is one of South Africa’s most recognisable wine estates. Famous for its award-winning wines, artisan cheeses and iconic Goat Tower, it offers a fun and unique Cape Winelands experience for wine lovers, food enthusiasts and families alike. Established as a working farm more […]
Spice Route Destination
Overview On the southern slopes of Paarl Mountain, Spice Route Destination is one of the Cape Winelands’ most vibrant and diverse attractions. More than just a wine estate, it is a collection of artisan producers, restaurants, tasting rooms and family-friendly experiences, all set against panoramic views of Table Mountain, Paarl Rock and the surrounding vineyards. […]
Nederburg Wine Estate
Overview Located on the outskirts of Paarl in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Nederburg Wine Estate is one of South Africa’s most iconic and internationally recognised wine producers. Established in 1791, it has built a reputation over more than two centuries for award-winning wines, pioneering winemaking innovations and memorable visitor experiences. Today Nederburg blends […]
Dornier Wine Estate
Overview Dornier Wine Estate lies at the foot of Stellenbosch Mountain in the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley. The family-owned winery brings together premium Golden Triangle wines, striking contemporary architecture and a historic farm setting. Cool south-facing slopes, decomposed granite soils and Atlantic breezes shape elegant wines with depth and finesse. Visitors can taste in the relaxed […]
Rustenberg Wine Estate
Overview Rustenberg Wine Estate occupies an expansive valley beneath the Simonsberg outside Stellenbosch. Founded in 1682 and owned by the Barlow family since 1941, it combines a long winemaking history with internationally recognised Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Bordeaux-style blends. A visit extends beyond the tasting room to the public Schoongezicht Manor House Garden, a historic […]
Oldenburg Vineyards
Overview Oldenburg Vineyards lies deep in the Banghoek Valley, surrounded by a dramatic mountain amphitheatre eight kilometres from Stellenbosch. At the centre of the estate stands Rondekop, the rounded hill that anchors its vineyards and flagship wine range. The contemporary Tasting Room looks directly across this landscape, connecting each guided tasting with the slopes, winds […]
Rainbow’s End Wine Estate
Overview Rainbow’s End is a small family wine estate high above the Banghoek basin near Stellenbosch. Backed by the Jonkershoek Mountains, its vineyards rise from around 350 to 540 metres and specialise in concentrated, estate-grown red wines. The tasting experience is personal and unhurried, with broad mountain views from the veranda. Cabernet Franc is the […]
Bartinney Private Cellar
Overview Bartinney Private Cellar sits high on the slopes of the Banhoek Valley beside the Helshoogte Pass. Its elevated vineyards look across a dramatic mountain amphitheatre, giving the intimate Tasting Shed one of the most memorable outlooks in Stellenbosch. The boutique estate focuses on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, including small-batch flagship wines selected from its […]
Neil Ellis Wines
Overview Neil Ellis Wines is a family-run Stellenbosch producer built on the belief that outstanding wine begins with the right vineyard. From its Helshoogte Road home, the winery presents an unusually broad view of Cape terroir through carefully selected sites in Stellenbosch, Groenekloof, Elgin and Piekenierskloof. The portfolio moves from regional wines to limited site-specific […]