20 SA Wine Farm Gems

Considering that there are over 500 cellars in South Africa with quite a number producing world-class bottlings or offering particularly good value in some of the most beautiful winelands on the planet, coming up with a shortlist of the most highly recommended places to visit is nigh impossible, perhaps a little unfair. Much has to do with your point of departure, personal taste and what you’re in the mood for on the day. Nevertheless, here are 20 destinations that warrant serious consideration by anybody heading out to one of the wine routes of the Cape. Just click on the name or the pic for more info.

 

Babylonstoren

Klapmuts/Simondium Road, Simonsberg-Paarl

Why we like it: the gardens, the glasshouse, the walks, the places to eat, the shops and farm animals, plus a range of wines that includes a good Shiraz, red blends, Chardonnay and bubbly.

 

Beaumont

Compagnes Drift Farm, Bot River (off N2), between Elgin and Caledon

Why we like it: the words authentic and artisanal come to mind; the look and feel of the place is rustic, farm like, and the people behind it all make for a free-spirited, family business with a range of wines  that includes one of South Africa’s best Chenin Blancs.

 

Boekenhoutskloof

Excelsior Road, Franschhoek

Why we like it: good reds, including one of the best expressions of Syrah in the land, top winemaker and cellarmaster, a modern cellar featuring large-format barrels and concrete eggs, plus the bonus attraction of a forest boardwalk with wooden artworks of wolves here and there – a wine farm with mountain backdrop where pieces of the puzzle come together, so to speak.

 

Boschendal

R310 (Pniel Road), Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek

Why we like it: a beautiful, historic property with various meal options and table settings as well as a picnic lawn and gazebo between the great winery and the old manor house-cum-museum; Cape Dutch architecture; one of the Cap Classique pioneers and a mixed basket of various other good wines.

 

Delaire Graff

Off Helshoogte Pass (R310), Stellenbosch

Why we like it: a grand showpiece including a couple of good restaurants, a spa, luxury accommodation and one of the best views in the Cape winelands; one of South Africa’s premier wine producers in several categories; a little over-the-top here and there but delivering on its promise.

 

Fairview

On Suid-Agter Paarl Road, south-west of Paarl Rock/Mountain

Why we like it: good wines at various price points; cool brands ranging from upmarket to stuff that pokes fun at the French; the cheeses, the goat tower and The Goatshed, their Mediterranean-style eatery; witty proprietor and wine marketing maverick Charles Back; the buzz.

Fairview, goat tower scenic - IMG_1107 (1) (smaller)

 

Groot Constantia

Groot Constantia Road, Constantia, Cape Town

Why we like it: long and interesting history, old buildings and artefacts, Cape Wine’s Grande Dame; quality wines including Chardonnay and the distinctive Grand Constance Natural Sweet; beautiful property and family friendly.

Groot Constantia - P1170116 (smaller)

 

Hamilton Russell

On R320 in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley outside Hermanus

Why we like it: one of the Cape’s top Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producers; pioneers of winemaking in the district and today led by debonaire Anthony Hamilton-Russell; idyllic setting in rolling hills, with a quaint tasting room on the side of a dam with ducks; sophisticated.

HRV 5 (cropped, smaller)

 

Jordan

At the end of StellenboschKloof Road, Stellenbosch

Why we like it: good reds and whites, especially the Chardonnays and the red blends; scenic drive from the Polkadraai Road to the winery, past other good wineries along a narrow road with vineyards on either side; stories of Cobblers Hill and shoemakers, of chameleons and the whole Nine Yards; top restaurant.

Jordan - 5.View from the Table at the Jordan Restaurant (smaller)

 

Kanonkop

Off R44 in the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountains, Stellenbosch

Why we like it: a South African ‘First Growth’ offering great red wine, especially the flagship blend Paul Sauer and the Pinotage for which Kanonkop is famous; legendary Cape Snoek braais; the story of Pinotage – and that about the canon, a miniature of which is still fired from time to time.

 

La Motte

R45 (Main Road), Franschhoek

Why we like it: showpiece wine farm of Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and a beacon for art, heritage and culture, fine dining and good wines – especially the Pierneef Shiraz Viognier blend; beautiful grounds, Cape Dutch architecture; multiple tourism award winner.

 

Meerlust

On Helderberg side of the R310 to Stellenbosch

Why we like it: the resilience of the brand internationally; good reds and the Rubicon tale; historic Cape Dutch manor house and out-buildings; a windmill (water pump?) all but submerged in the middle of a dam.

Meerlust - Manor House (tweaked)

 

Nederburg

Off Sonstraal Road, Dajosafat, Paarl

Why we like it: good quality and interest value in the middle and at the top of their huge range; dessert wines and blends particularly noteworthy; New World (tasting room and new cellar) and Old World (manor house and old cellar); beautiful gardens and casual restaurant.

Nederburg manor house (HR) (smaller)

 

Rust en Vrede

Off Annandale Road (off R44), Helderberg, Stellenbosch

Why we like it: impressive blends and single varietals in standard and big bottle formats; Cape Dutch architecture and an upmarket restaurant in what was once a barrel-maturation cellar; fine garden enhances good venue for outdoor wine tastings and casual lunches.

 

Rustenberg

Off Rustenberg Road, Idas Valley, Stellenbosch

Why we like it: top quality and good value wines with names including Buzzard Kloof and Five Soldiers; great location, a long driveway past orchards, tree-lined paddocks and cows en route to the winery; Cape Dutch architecture; ultra-modern tasting room; beautiful gardens.

RWB56A

 

Spier

On the R310 (resort) and Annandale Road (winery), Stellenbosch

Why we like it: the restaurants and craft markets, picnic lawns and Segway vineyard tours; lovely gardens and family-friendly yet also among the leading SA red and white wine producers with strong suits including Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and various blends.

Spier - SS_Spier_ManorHouse0021 (cropped)

 

Stark-Condé

Oude Nektar Farm, Jonkershoek Road, Stellenbosch

Why we like it: wine tasting venue across a bridge in the middle of a dam; dramatic scenery with mountains all around; the Postcard restaurant and tables alongside the dam; the top notch Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

 

Tokara

Off Helshoogte Pass (R310), Stellenbosch

Why we like it: great quality and interest value across the range of wines; modern architecture and a state-of-the-art cellar; olives and delicatessen; door-to-door sophistication, extending to the good restaurant with a deck and views of steep vineyards and False Bay in the distance.

TOKARA winery Stellenbosch (smaller)

 

Vergelegen

Off Lourensford Road, Somerset West

Why we like it: beautiful place, beautiful wines; Anglo showpiece; huge old trees in exquisite gardens; wonderful Cape Dutch buildings contrasting with a modern cellar of unusual design and perched on a Helderberg hilltop; good restaurants and camphor forest picnic venue.

Vergelegen Homestead and Octagonal Garden (smaller)

 

Waterford

Off Blaauwklippen Road, Stellenbosch

Why we like it: a pretty place, and interesting wines ranging from good-value Pecan Stream options to The Jem, a flagship made from seven grape varieties including a couple of Italians; the stone-walled winery complex “styled along terracotta design of the classic Bordeaux chateaux of France” with courtyard and fountain; wine-and-chocolate tastings…

Waterford -6515 (tweaked)

 


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