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
Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards
Overview Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards occupies an extraordinary position high on the Helderberg above Stellenbosch. Mountain slopes, ancient soils and cooling air from False Bay shape elegant wines with freshness, purity and a distinctive sense of place. The intimate tasting room looks across False Bay, Table Bay and Table Mountain, giving visitors one of the […]
Idiom Wine Estate
Overview Idiom Wine Estate rises above False Bay at Da Capo Vineyards near Somerset West, combining dramatic Helderberg scenery with a wine portfolio inspired by Italy, France, Spain and South Africa. The restaurant and tasting centre frame panoramic views from Table Mountain to Cape Point, while close to twenty grape varieties allow visitors to explore […]
Longridge Wine Estate
Overview Longridge occupies the lower slopes of the Helderberg outside Stellenbosch, with vineyards looking across False Bay towards Table Mountain. The estate is recognised for organic and biodynamic farming, naturally fermented wines and an unhurried tasting experience shaped by the landscape. Visitors can explore the estate and ultra-premium wine ranges, enjoy seasonal family-style dining at […]
Eikendal Wine Estate
Overview Set along the R44 in Stellenbosch’s celebrated Golden Triangle, Eikendal is a relaxed Winelands estate known for elegant Chardonnay, refined red wines and generous vineyard hospitality. The estate combines wine tastings, Italian-inspired dining, seasonal events and vineyard accommodation in a scenic Helderberg setting shaped by mountain slopes and cooling maritime breezes. Swiss Roots in […]
Glen Carlou Wine Estate
Overview Set among the rolling hills of Simonsberg-Paarl, Glen Carlou is a premium Cape Winelands estate celebrated for Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and the historic Grand Classique Bordeaux-style blend. The 145-hectare property brings together wine, seasonal cuisine and contemporary South African art, with broad vineyard views and the Simonsberg mountains forming a memorable backdrop. Chardonnay Heritage […]
Niel Joubert Wines
Overview Nestled on the western slopes of Simonsberg Mountain near Klapmuts, Niel Joubert Wines is a fifth-generation family-owned wine estate known for warm hospitality, award-winning wines and an authentic working-farm atmosphere. The estate combines traditional farming values with modern winemaking. Vineyards share the property with orchards of apples, pears, peaches, plums, citrus and blueberries, creating […]