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
Vrede en Lust Wine Estate
Overview Vrede en Lust Wine Estate occupies a panoramic position at the foot of the Simonsberg, where the Franschhoek and Paarl wine routes meet. Founded in 1688, the estate combines historic Cape architecture with a modern tasting room, Lust Bistro and Bakery, accommodation and a broad portfolio shaped by vineyards in Simonsberg-Paarl and cool-climate Elgin. […]
Rickety Bridge Wine Estate
Overview Rickety Bridge Wine Estate lies just outside Franschhoek, with vineyards, mountain views and a broad collection of wine, food and outdoor experiences. The estate’s contemporary tasting centre presents the accessible Foundation Stone collection alongside the premium, terroir-led Regna Loca range. Cellar tours, blending sessions, sensory tastings and a guided vineyard walk allow visitors to […]
Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards
Overview Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards is a relaxed, family-oriented wine and food destination on the R45 at the entrance to Franschhoek. The estate is known for accessible, versatile wines, sociable tastings and a generous restaurant programme. Spacious interiors, a broad veranda, lawns and mountain views create an easy setting for families and groups of friends. […]
Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate
Overview Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate brings wine, food, art and accommodation together on a historic property at the entrance to Franschhoek. Established in 1694, the estate balances more than three centuries of Cape heritage with contemporary hospitality. Visitors can taste the Grande Provence and Angels Tears ranges, dine at The Oak or the Bistro, […]
Chamonix Wine Farm
Overview Chamonix Wine Farm rises above Franschhoek on the eastern slopes of the surrounding mountains, with high vineyards, forested landscapes and sweeping valley views. The estate is particularly associated with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and structured red wines. Tastings take place in the late eighteenth-century Blacksmith’s Cottage, where visitors can sample the standard and reserve ranges […]
Ernie Els Wines
Overview Ernie Els Wines occupies a commanding position in Stellenbosch’s Golden Triangle, with views towards Cape Town and Table Mountain in one direction and the Helderberg in the other. Founded through Ernie Els’s passion for fine wine, the estate is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends. Its spacious tasting room, restaurant, cellar, Vinothèque […]
Cavalli Estate
Overview Cavalli Estate is a contemporary wine, dining and art destination on the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. Its striking architecture frames Helderberg vineyards, indigenous gardens, a tranquil dam and panoramic mountain views. The estate brings together an award-winning winery, fine-dining restaurant, public art gallery, luxury boutique, events venue and world-class equestrian facilities in […]
Lourensford Wine Estate
Overview Lourensford Wine Estate is a historic working farm at the foot of the Helderberg in Somerset West. Established in 1709, the estate combines wine, landscaped gardens, food, specialty coffee, art and outdoor experiences in one expansive destination. The scale makes Lourensford particularly suited to a full day out. Visitors can move from the tasting […]
Morgenster Estate
Overview Morgenster Estate lies beneath the Helderberg in Somerset West, bringing together Bordeaux-inspired wines, Italian grape varieties, acclaimed extra virgin olive oil and authentic Italian dining. The contemporary tasting room and restaurant overlook a dam, wetlands and mountain slopes. Only part of the 200-hectare estate is planted to vines and olive trees, leaving generous space […]
Hidden Valley Wines
Overview Hidden Valley Wines is tucked into the Helderberg slopes near Stellenbosch, where vineyards, indigenous gardens and contemporary architecture frame wide views across the Cape Winelands. The estate combines handcrafted wines with relaxed dining at The Terrace, signature chocolate pairings and a nature trail around the dam. It feels removed from the busier wine routes […]