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A short distance from the city, the
winelands region is one of the most picturesque areas of the
Western Cape. The three major wine routes, most passing
through the quaint and historical towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and
Franschhoek, offer an opportunity to appreciate the Cape's history and
traditions while being surrounded by spectacular landscapes of vineyards
hugging hills and valleys.
The best way to discover the winelands is by car, where
you can stop of your own accord at the wine estates' traditional Cape
Dutch homesteads. Take time to sample the farms' offerings,
tour the cellars or enjoy a leisurely lunch
on the spacious grounds.
Wine tastings, offered by age-old estates, are a
popular means of sampling one of the Cape's greatest exports. At most
wine estates it is possible to purchase bottles or
cases of the estate's wines.
Below is our top selection of wine estates to visit during your Cape
Town holiday: |
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| Buitenverwachting |
| This estate is most famous for its pleasant and
spacious grounds, excellent wines (Buiten Blanc and Rhine Riesling among
the more well-known) and one of Cape Town's best restaurants. On a
gorgeous summer's day, order a picnic basket from the restaurant and
relax on the estate lawns. |
| Klein Constantia Road, Tel. (021) 794 5190/1 |
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| Cellars Hohenort |
| This estate unites two great Cape traditions: the
magnificently restored cellars of 18th century Klaasenbosch wine estate
and the Hohenort Manor House, previously owned by the Spilhaus family.
Besides wine tasting, the estate offers grape picking in its vineyard. |
| 93 Brommersvlei Rd., Tel (021) 794 2137 |
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| Constantia Uitsig |
| This is a 200-acre wine farm which, besides its
cellar tours and wine tasting, offers luxury Cape cottage accommodation
set in the lush grounds. Escape here for a peaceful and romantic
getaway. |
| Spaanschemat River Rd, Tel (021) 794 1810 |
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| Groot Constantia |
| The biggest and grandest of the Constantia wine
estates, Groot Constantia offers guests wine tastings surrounded by
traditional buildings, beautiful gardens and traditional Cape food at
the Jonkershuis Restaurant. Cellar tours are available on request. |
| Groot Constantia Road, High Constantia Tel.
(021) 794 5128 |
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| Klein Constantia |
| This estate's flagship wine is the Vin de Constance,
a dessert wine that was once enjoyed by Napoleon, Bismarck and Frederick
the Great, as well as being mentioned in novels of Austen and Dickens.
It's a small estate but worth visiting for its excellent tasting room
and informative displays. |
| Klein Constantia Road, Tel. (021) 794 5188 |
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| Boschendal |
| One of the oldest estates in the country, Boschendal
is a classic Franschhoek estate with its oak-lined avenues and
traditional Cape Dutch buildings. The estate produces an impressive
range of red and white wines which can be enjoyed over lunch in the
stylish restaurant. |
| Pniel Road, Groote Drakenstein, Tel (021) 870
4210 |
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| Chamonix |
| The Chamonix wine farm contains a wine tasting
centre and offers cellar tours by appointment. The farm is open to the
public daily from 9:30 until 17:00. The estate contains a traditional
family bistro where lunch can be enjoyed before or after wine tasting. |
| Uitkyk St, Tel. (021) 876 2498 |
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| Cabriere Estate |
| Cabriere produces an excellent range of brandies,
white, red and dessert wines that can be enjoyed every weekday and on
Saturday mornings. Cellar tours are led by proprietor Achim von Arnim,
and the estate's Haute Cabriere restaurant is highly recommended. |
| Berg St, Tel (021) 876 2630 |
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| La Motte |
| La Motte wines have won a host of international
awards and are highly sought-after. Their fine wines, including some
exceptional reds, can be sampled in the stylish tasting room. The estate
is open on weekdays and on Saturday mornings. |
| Tel (021) 876 3114/9 |
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| Mont Rochelle |
| This estate, with its beautiful view of the valley,
offers wine tastings as well as picnic baskets in summer and soup and
bread next to the log fire in winter. Cellar tours are conducted Monday
to Friday and tours of the estate can even be done on horseback. |
| Dassenberg Road, Tel (021) 876 3000 |
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| Simonsvlei |
| Simonsvlei is well-known for its exquisite wines
that are recognised across the world, thus attracting international
visitors. Wine tasting is offered daily except on Sundays, and cellar
tours can be arranged by appointment. |
| Tel. (021) 863-3040 |
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| KWV |
| The internationally renowned KWV cellar complex is
the biggest in the world, resting on 22 hectares. Over 100 various
natural wines, a range of fortified wines and brandies are produced for
the global market, and the estate is also home to the five biggest vats
in the world under one roof. |
| Kohler St, Tel. (021) 807 3007 |
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| Fairview Wine Estate |
| Nestled on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, this estate
produces a range of wines as well as cheeses made from sheep's milk,
goat's milk and cow's milk. These can be purchased at the farm stall,
and wine and cheese tasting is available weekdays, Saturday mornings and
on public holidays. |
| Tel. (021) 863 2450 |
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| Nederberg |
| Nederburg Estate is famous for its internationally
acclaimed wines, which have won over 1100 local and international
awards. The estate offers informal wine tastings, guided cellar tours in
a choice of languages, and summer picnics by appointment from November
to February. |
| Tel. (021) 862 3104 |
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| Rhebokskloof |
| This is one of very few wine estates that is open
365 days a year. The estate adjoins the Paarl Nature Reserve, and takes
its name from the indigenous buck found in the area. Formal wine
tastings and cellar tours are available. |
| Tel. (021) 863 8386 |
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| Spier Cellars |
| Spier Cellars has received a list of prestigious
awards and offers wine tasting, cellar tours and a choice of restaurants
for lunch and dinners. In summertime, enjoy a picnic on the estate's
spacious grounds prepared by the Spier Farm Stall. |
| Tel. (021) 809 1100 |
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| Morgenhof |
| Morgenhof Farm boasts a rich heritage dating back to
grape growers in the 1200s. Enjoy daily wine tasting and cellar tours
followed by an a la carte garden lunch in summer or in the glass gazebo
with fireplace during winter. |
| Tel. (021) 889 5510 |
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| Blaauwklippen |
| Blaauwklippen captures the flavour of almost 300
years of traditional Cape wine making. The estate offers award-winning
wines, wine tasting, cellar tours, year-round lunches, elegant coach
rides, an extensive museum and a function centre for weddings and
birthdays. |
| Tel. (021) 880 0133 |
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| Delaire |
| Delaire - 'Vineyards in the Sky' - is a small yet
ideally located vineyard on Helshoogte with breathtaking views. It
offers wine tasting, cellar tours, picnics, a function venue and two
self-catering mountain lodges for the winelover's ideal getaway. |
| Contact Tel. (021) 885 1756 |
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| Neetlingshof |
| A unique, kilometre-long pine tree-lined avenue
leads you to Neetlingshof, a wine estate dating back to 1692. A complete
estate tour is offered where guests tour the cellars and vineyards on a
tractor-drawn trailer. A private wine tasting is conducted outside, and
lunch is a typical South African barbeque enjoyed on the sprawling
grounds. |
| Polkadraai Road, Tel. (021) 883 8988 |
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