South Africa: The Top 10 Wineries

You should not miss these wonderful wineries on your trip to South Africa.

In our overview of the 9 most beautiful wineries in South Africa, you can find out where you can enjoy excellent food in addition to first-class wines, which wine farms with their traditional stories are among the oldest in the country and where you can try South Africa’s popular Pinotage.

1. Boschendal, Franschhoek

The Dutch name “Boschendal” means something like “forest and valley” (“boss en dal”) and thus perfectly reflects the essence of this winery: Located about 55 kilometers east of Cape Town, the property covers around 350 hectares of vineyards between the ” Simonsberg” and the “Drakensberg” and is surrounded by a magnificent blooming rose garden. The heart of the wine farm, however, is the historic wine cellar from 1715. Now equipped with the latest technology, you will find numerous wooden barrels with fine wines, which are regularly showered with awards. For example, the varietal red wines are among the best in the country. On a trip to “Boschendal” you should also pay a visit to the in-house café, restaurant and bakery belonging to the winery. Because “Boschendal” also attaches great importance to the highest quality in its dishes: most of the ingredients are harvested from the adjacent garden just before serving.

2. Tokara Wine Estate, Stellenbosch

Compared to many other South African wineries, the “Tokara Wine Estate” with its foundation in 1994 still has a relatively young history. However, that did not stop the wine farm from quickly becoming famous with its fine wines among wine lovers all over the world. The intensive and complex “Director’s Reserve” collection is considered the flagship of the “Tokara Wine Estate”. In addition to its wines, the estate also produces excellent brandy and olive oil. During your visit, you can try all the products of the winery in the in-house restaurant with an adjoining delicatessen and enjoy the fantastic view of the spectacular landscape at the same time. You should also take a look at the architecture and stylish furnishings of the property, because both are also considered absolute highlights!

3. Steenberg, Constantia

Founded in 1682 in Cape Town’s suburb of Constantia, “Steenberg” is now one of the oldest wineries in the country. Surrounded by evergreen hills, the property covers around 200 hectares, over a quarter of which are planted with vines. The size of the vineyards mean that Steenberg produces over half a million bottles of wine a year, with the Sauvignon Blanc being considered one of the best of its kind. In addition to the excellent wines, “Steenberg” is now also known for the directly adjacent luxury hotel with gourmet restaurant, its modern architecture and the elaborately designed outdoor area of ​​the wine cellar. Here you can also enjoy the first-class wines of the estate on a day trip and let your gaze wander from the shady seating area over the adjacent garden with a large lawn and water features.

4. Rust en Vrede, Stellenbosch

If even national hero Nelson Mandela chooses a wine from this winery for his Nobel Prize dinner in Oslo, then you should definitely pay him a visit on your trip to South Africa. The “Rust en Vrede” property is still a prime example of excellent winegrowing in South Africa. No wonder, given that experts rank his red wines among the best in the country. But “Rust en Vrede”, founded in 1694, was not always one of South Africa’s flagship estates: it was only when the Engelbrecht family took over in 1978 that the once run-down “Rust en Vrede” became one of South Africa’s leading red wine estates. But in the middle of the vineyards of Stellenbosch you will not only find excellent wines at the “Rust en Vrede” winery, but also a highly acclaimed kitchen that is among the best in the world.

5. Peter Falke, Stellenbosch

On the slope of the “Helderberg Mountains” lies the “Peter Falke” winery, which has belonged to the German hosiery manufacturer Peter Falke and his wife, the French designer Danièle Falke, since 1995. Surrounded by wild nature, you can try a total of eight different wines here at the “Wine Tasting”: Whether rosé, red or white wine, with “Peter Falke” you have the choice – and all for the equivalent of only 4 euros! There are also delicious snacks on the menu, which round off the “Wine Tasting” at “Peter Falke” perfectly.

6. Babylonstoren, Paarl

Hardly any stay becomes such an unforgettable experience as your visit to the Babylonstoren winery. Whether for food, for a day trip or with overnight stays: “Babylonstoren” has a lot to offer. The former orchard, which lies between Franschhoek and Paarl, has been producing several first-class red and white wines since 2011, which cause veritable cheering among wine lovers all over the world. At the “Wine Tasting” you can try some of these fine wines on site and also enjoy delicious snacks with fresh produce from the hotel’s own garden. The vegetable, berry, flower and orchard is the secret star of the winery anyway: Not only do the two restaurants use the sustainably cultivated plantings of the approximately 4 hectare garden, but also the farm shop with adjacent bakery or the farm hotel belonging to the property Garden Spa. In order to get to know as much as possible of the winery and its picturesque garden during your stay, you should explore the area with bicycles, which are available to you free of charge at “Babylonstoren”.

7. Buitenverwachting, Constantia

“Buitenverwachting” is a Dutch name that means “beyond all expectations” in German: a promise that the owners have definitely committed to with their wines, which enjoy an excellent reputation all over the world. This good reputation is mainly due to the “Sauvignon Blanc”, which has been at the top of South Africa’s white wines for many years. But the red wines from the approximately 150-hectare estate are also considered first-class. When you visit “Buitenverwachting” simply decide for yourself which type of wine you like best!

8. L’Avenir, Stellenbosch

About 5 minutes from Stellenbosch, the winery “L’Avenir” is located at the foot of the “Simonsberg”. Surrounded by green mountains, old trees and several orchards, “L’Avenir” is said to be the oldest winery cultivating Pinotage in the Stellenbosch region. The Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Nior and Cinsault, whereby the red vine perfectly combines the berry sweetness of Pinot Noir with the fruity taste of Cinsault. The new breed was carried out in 1925 by Abraham Isak Perold at the University of Stellenbosch. Tasting is therefore a must at the “L’Avenir” winery, as the Pinotage is becoming one of the most popular red wine varieties in South Africa!

9. La Motte, Franschhoek

The winery “La Motte” on the outskirts of Franschhoek is one of the oldest and most important wineries in South Africa. Founded in 1752, “La Motte” rose to become a world-renowned wine farm when it was taken over by the Rupert family in 1970. Not only the fine wines from “La Motte” have contributed to this excellent reputation, but also the restaurant belonging to the property (traditional South African dishes are interpreted in a modern way here) and its historic building from the 18th century. If you would like to learn more about the winery during your stay on “La Motte”, we recommend that you explore the approximately 5-kilometer-long “La Motte Hiking Trail” on foot. In addition to a great view of the vineyards, you can also enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of Franschhoek from the higher elevations of the hiking trail. On the other hand, you should definitely visit the historic wine cellar on “La Motte” and walk along the interesting wine trail of the estate.

10. Verlege Estate, Somerset West

The Vergelegen Estate winery is located very close to the South African city of Somerset West. Dating back more than 300 years, the estate is made up of several buildings, and when you stay at the winery you can visit both the manor house and one of the outbuildings to learn more about the rich history of the Vergelegen Estate. Of the approximately 300 hectares that the entire estate measures, around 100 hectares are used for wine-growing. Thanks to this large area under cultivation, the “Vergelegen Estate” produces around 560,000 bottles of wine every year – and you should definitely try one of them, because the fine wines from the “Vergelegen Estate” are award-winning. In addition to the wine tasting and tours of the winery, the “Vergelegen Estate” is also known for its magnificent rose and herb garden, the camphor trees that are well over 300 years old and the in-house restaurant with excellent cuisine, which offers the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty in the summer months from the “Vergelegen Estate” to fully enjoy a picnic.