Stellenbosch Cape Winelands Wine Region, South Africa

Stellenbosch Cape Winelands Wine Region, South Africa (1/26-29/2023)

The Cape Winelands Wine Region is an ‘Out of Africa’ experience with its charming European-feeling towns, great food, and picturesque countryside of jagged mountains and verdant valleys. World-class wines at affordable prices are produced here. 

Just an hour away from Cape Town it centers around the quaint towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl. You should not hurry when visiting. Relax enjoying lunch on a vine-shaded veranda at a 300-year-old estate or sip wine taking in the pleasure of beautiful views.

The historic wine estates surrounding the towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are best to focus on during short visits due to their pretty Cape Dutch architecture (white buildings with thatched roofs and curved gables), wonderful food, and beautiful wineries (wine farms) offering great wine tasting and restaurants.

Wine has been produced in the Stellenbosch Wine area since the 17th century and the South African wine industry is booming, winning international awards. Good quality wines for good prices are available, even in supermarkets. Try Pinotage, South Africa’s own grape variety – a mix of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (formally Hermitage). Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted variety and used to make good sparkling wines. Many wineries have a grocery store where you can buy picnic items and enjoy it on their grounds with a glass of wine – wonderful!

Franschhoek

While visiting Cape Winelands Wine Region, we chose to stay in Franschhoek, one of the loveliest towns in the Cape in a speculator setting of green vineyards and gorgeous mountain peaks. Just a half-hour away from Stellenbosch, it was established by French Huguenots in the 17th century who brought with them their age-old French wine and food culture. Franschoek is South Africa Capes’ culinary capital making where to eat is one of the toughest decisions to make.

We enjoyed the very popular and good Country Connection Bristol. Other very good restaurants you should consider include: Miko at Mont Rochelle, Le Pettit Manor, Protege, and Reubens. We enjoyed our stay at Country House & Villas, a unique country manor estate with pools, great breakfast, good restaurant, free shuttle service to local restaurants and wineries, and very helpful staff to help make your visit wonderful.

This is a valley rich in history centered around a picturesque village of friendly people. In the village you will find upscale boutiques, art and antique shops, and galleries. The main street is lined with coffee shops and good restaurants.

We greatly enjoyed taking the fun wine train with Franschhoek Wine Tram where you can hop on and off at premium wine estates enjoying wine tasting, a delicious lunch, shopping for unique merchandise, or just enjoy the beautiful estate with a glass of wine. You will ride the train and a shuttle bus trolley. The Franschhoek Wine Tram is well organized allowing you quick visits or longer if you are enjoying yourself.

The Wine Tram has many lines to choose from that take you to different wineries. We chose the highly recommended Pink Line where visited some beautiful estates that we recommend – Grande Provence (wonderful outdoor sitting under huge shade trees surrounded by art statues, Rickery Bridge (delightful staff walks you through a nice wine tasting), and Dieu Donne (fabulous for lunch at the highly acclaimed Grand Country Restaurant).

We had fun at Friday Night Markets at Boschendal winery enjoying balmy evenings with live music, fresh farm produce, and food and drink stalls. Open from 5-10pm but come early to grab a bean bag or table, or bring a blanket to enjoy the food and entertainment. Boschendal is also an excellent place to have a picnic with a good grocery store located here. Babylonstoren is a destination for garden lovers with 3 restaurants, shops, wine tasting, farm hotel, and wine museum.

Stellenbosch

Lively student-town Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, was founded in 1679 and offers the most activities. Dorp Street is a pretty street with its excellent examples of gabled Cape Dutch, Georgian, and Victorian buildings along an oak-lined street. The Stellenbosch Village Museum is a group of beautifully restored houses dating from 1709 to 1850. Bergkelder is a good wine cellar located in town.

Some good wineries (wine farms) around Stellenbosch include… Spier is a good winery to visit for wine tasting and to purchase picnic items and enjoy them on the attractive grounds. Villiera produces wonderful Methods Cap Classique wines and a wildlife drive is available. Hartenberg Estate produces nice reds with excellent lunch and picnics. Red wines from Warwick Estate are famous.

Every visit to the Stellenbosch Cape Winelands Wine Region should include visiting the beautiful Delaire Graff Estate located between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek – we loved it! It is a spectacular setting overlooking their vineyards and gorgeous mountains. Their restaurant is an ideal stop for lunch. Wine tasting here is excellent – we upgraded to their premium wine tasting – so good!

Complementary maps of clearly marked wine routes are available at the tourism bureaus and many wineries. The best way to get to the Cape Winelands from Cape Town is to take N2 out of town and then R310 to Stellenbosch taking less than an hour outside of rush hour. Expect some delays during harvest time (late January through late March). Day trips and tours can be arranged from Cape Town. People are very friendly, driving is on the left-hand side of the road, and 10% tipping in restaurants.

A word about ‘Load Sharing’ in South Africa… periodically electricity is lost randomly day and night in the Cape Winelands Wine Region. Hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc. are prepared for this because it happens daily. Commonly there is a light powered by a battery that you can turn on (we could read with it) and some places.have backup generators. It would be good to bring a small flashlight to use at night.

While visiting South Africa’s Stellenbosch Cape Winelands Wine Region, do enjoy the many things to do in this area including others not included in this post. HAVE FUN!