South Africa’s wine region of Stellenbosch is a beautiful place to spend the day for both amateurs and experts.
It has some of the most amazing wines in all of South Africa and regardless if you are looking for affordability or quality, this area should be on your list.
The region is home to one of wine’s most famous regions and has become especially notable for its incredible hospitality with regard to food and drink experiences.
This is your full guide to the best wineries in Stellenbosch for wine tasting, a day spent with family or friends in the vineyards, and much more.
Why is Stellenbosch So Popular For Wine?
The climate in Stellenbosch is most likely one of the main contributing factors to its growth as a world-renowned wine region. In South Africa, this region has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and cool wet winters.
The area is located near the Cape Fold Mountain range which creates different soils for viticulture ranging from light sandy to decomposed granite one.
The grapes planted in and around Stellenbosch are Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, and Pinotage which is a mix of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut.
The sub-soil in this area is mostly clay which is the one that can hold the most water. Since Cabernet Sauvignon needs some of it and average drainage, it helps grow the grapes at their best for wine.
Also, Syrah needs moderato to hot climate which a lot of sunlight and the water retained in clay certainly helps it grow the best possible way.
In regards to Sauvignon Blanc, clay soil with limestone is what will develop it well and make the wine more lively and crispy.
For both climate and soil, the wine in Stellenbosch is so sophisticated and popular.
Best Wineries In Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is home to the country’s most famous wine-producing region and is steeped in history.
Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape variety that originated from this region, has been combined with Merlot many times over the centuries. They are often considered South Africa’s benchmark red wines.
The vast variety of wines, coupled with a number of well-known wineries makes Stellenbosch a renowned destination for high-end wine lounges and tasting rooms.
Stellenbosch lies at the foot of this mountain chain where it’s home to some of the world’s most famous wineries offering many options when it comes to taste wines.
Meerlust Estate
- Address: 33 Baden Powell Dr, R310, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Website: https://www.meerlust.co.za/
The Meerlust Estate is a family-run winery that has been in operation since 1756 and that can be found just 15 kilometers south of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Besides its wine production facilities, there are many other attractions on site: like their rose garden; bird sanctuary; or even an old family cemetery where you can learn more about the history of this historic location!
Their most popular wines are:
- Meerlust Red 2019
- Meerlust Rubicon 2017
- Meerlust Pinot Noir 2018
- Meerlust Chardonnay 2019
Lastly, it is important to note that the wine tasting room is closed on Sundays and public holidays. If you plan a group journey of 10 people or more, a reservation will be needed.
Their wine tasting sessions cost 30 ZAR/$2 per person in a group or 60 ZAR/$4 for individual visitors.
If you want to experience some amazing wines from one of Stellenbosch’s best wineries, then look no further than this beautiful establishment.
Spier Wine Farm
- Address: R310 Baden Powell Dr, Stellenbosch, 7603, South Africa
- Website: https://www.spier.co.za/
The Spier Wine Farm is one of the most renowned and oldest (founded in 1692) wineries in Stellenbosch and South Africa as a whole.
It produces a great variety of excellent wines and offers an unforgettable experience through its Segway tour. In addition, they have a fantastic restaurant booth Eight that strictly adheres to its ‘farm-to-table” policy.
There are many reasons why you should visit or stay at this wonderful estate – fresh produce from fields on site can be found throughout as well as magnificent African art displayed around the hotel grounds with notable highlights being stunning vineyard views via segways tours.
You don’t know what awaits you at Spier Wine Farm. With tours, picnics, and even an Eagle Encounter to enjoy, the experience is boundless.
You can visit the winery with a group of friends or family and there’s no need to make an appointment beforehand. Their prices start at R50 per person with 5 glasses of wine tasting on offer.
The Spier Wine Farm bottles you should come for are:
- 21 Gables Pinotage
- Seaward Shiraz 2018
- 21 Gables Cabernet Sauvignon
- Creative Block 5 2018 (Firm favorite)
Apart from that, there’s so much more to do: have a SPA session after trying their wines and even enjoy crafts from local vendors across South Africa during their Craft Market days.
It may be hard to leave but take some time out for yourself at this wonderful winery before heading back home because it won’t disappoint.
Boschendal
- Address: R310 Pniel Road Groot, Franschhoek, 7680, South Africa
- Website: https://www.boschendal.com/
This Stellenbosch wine farm has produced excellent wines for almost 300 years and it is by far one of the best in the region.
They offer wine tasting sessions for as low as 65 ZAR/$4.50 per person and for 5 wines. Some of the wines that you can’t miss here are Boschendal De Werf Sauvignon Blanc, Playden Petit Verdot, and Vin de Memoire Chardonnay.
Besides winery tours, you can enjoy horse riding or take in spectacular views from up high atop their treehouse or tented campsite.
In addition, you can spend the night here if you really want to experience rural life in Stellenbosch. In fact, it has 40 luxury cottages, superb white and red wines as well as the sparkling varietal which makes Boschendal unique.
De Toren
- Address: Polkadraai Rd, Stellenbosch, 7604, South Africa
- Website: https://de-toren.com/
De Toren Private Cellar is famous for its world-class wines, which are the perfect complement to any meal. You will be able to see Table Mountain from their tasting room and enjoy a view of False Bay as you sip on some wine.
De Toren Private Cellars specializes in creating exquisite boutique reds with fruity flavors like raspberry or blackberry notes but also offers white varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay if your palate prefers those subtle tastes.
All visitors get exclusive taste testing at De Toren’s elegant yet intimate setting overlooking the vineyards.
The farm produces some of the best wines in South Africa including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, or even Petit Verdot.
Each vineyard has its own unique characteristics with much detail given to nurturing them through careful winemaking processes which combine passion and love. This, needless to say, is reflected in every bottle of wine made on-site from this family-run farming business.
At the estate, they handpick only select grapes from vines in the first two hours of daylight to maintain freshness and quality.
Waterford Estate
- Address: Upper Blaauwklippen Rd, Helderberg Rural, 7600, South Africa
- Website: https://www.waterfordestate.co.za/
Located in the beautiful Blaauwklippen Valley, 20 minutes south of Stellenbosch and framed by the Hottentots-Holland range on 120 hectares of land.
A Mediterranean-style villa awaits you with a variety of tasting experiences including Wine & Chocolate which pairs handcrafted chocolates among others.
The bottles that you can’t leave without tasting are their Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chenin Blanc. You’ll have the opportunity to taste them all in a wine tasting session.
Prices vary depending on the session you choose and start from Waterford Summer Tasting at R75/$5.10 per person to Library Collection Tasting at R295/$20.20 per person.
Other than that, you can enjoy the Wine Drive Safari for 1,450ZAR/$99 and the very unique Porcupine Trail Walk for 650 ZAR/$45.
These will take the experience at the Stellenbosch winery to the next level while learning about their most sophisticated wines.
Peter Falke Wines
- Address: Annandale Rd, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
- Website: https://www.peterfalkewines.com/
15 minutes south away from Stellenbosch and you’ll reach Peter Falke Wines, yet another boutique estate located on the slopes of the Helderberg mountains.
This farm is particularly picturesque, with manicured vineyards flanked by fields full of roses and wild lavender.
A wine tasting session costs 45 ZAR/$3 and you’ll be invited to taste their best wines, six or seven wines, depending on the winery’s availability. On top of that, free nuts and olives are served with the wines but you can order more food for a moderate price range too.
The sessions take place from Tuesday to Thursday from 11.00 AM to 7.00 PM and on Fridays on Saturdays from 11.00 AM to 8.00 PM.
Out of all the bottles of wine they have, we highly recommend their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and, above all, their Leilani Muscat D’Alexandrie.
To sum up, Peter Falke Wines is one of the absolute best wineries in Stellenbosch for the wine, the food, and the overall experience.
Le Pommier
- Address: Helshoogte Rd, Banhoek, Stellenbosch, 7609, South Africa
- Website: https://www.lepommier.co.za/
Le Pommier Wine Estate is located in the Cape Winelands and they offer country lodge accommodation as well as a restaurant specializing in traditional cuisine.
Visitors come here for a delightful range of wines, for the luxurious property to spend the night at, and the impressive view over the mountain from their swimming pool.
You’ll find plenty of space both outside and inside to enjoy your wine while exploring these beautiful surroundings.
Their wine tasting sessions start at 30 ZAR/$2 with 3 wines offered. Other than that, you can also select their wine pairing with pizza for 95 ZAR/$6.50 per person, South African food for 95 ZAR, or even with succulent soup at the same price.
The unmissable wines at Le Pommier are the Cabernet Franc, the Sauvignon Blanc, and their Bordeaux Jonathan’s Malbec 2019.
Lanzerac Wine Estate
- Address: 1 Lanzerac Rd, Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
- Website: https://lanzerac.co.za/
Lanzerac is a multi-award-winning boutique winery located in the heart of the famous Winelands in Stellenbosch.
They have 3 wine tasting sessions available:
- Premium Tasting with 5 of their best wines
- Wine and artisanal chocolate pairing tasting
- Heritage tasting to enjoy the most premium bottles they offer
They offer endless bottles to please all their visitors and the most remarkable ones are Pinotage Rosé 2020, Merlot 2019, and the Cabernet Sauvignon 2017.
Additionally, they also have SPA sessions available, a gym, and ultimately 4 different restaurants to make the experience more unique than any other winery.
All in all, it is one of the best wineries in Stellenbosch and we couldn’t recommend it enough.
Best Hotels In And Around Stellenbosch
If you’re seeking more than a comfortable night’s rest in Stellenbosch, our top hotel suggestions are exactly what you need after a tasting session in South Africa’s wine capital.
Banhoek Lodge
- Address: Helshoogte Road (R310), Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
Banhoek Lodge offers you a home away from home, situated in the heart of the wineries area. Banhoek Lodge features luxury rooms and five self-catering units which overlook the vineyards.
They offer premium SPA sessions with hand and foot treatments and massage treatments among other activities.
You’ll be only a few miles away from the best wineries in Stellenbosch and this is exactly what you want after a visit to the vineyards around.
De Zeven Guest Lodge
- Address: Zevenrivieren Rd, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
The Zeven Guest Lodge offers an oasis of serenity and adventure only minutes away from Stellenbosch’s city center. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, this beautiful location is ideal for relaxation or exploration of the area’s wine region.
Protea Hotel by Marriott Dorpshuis & Spa Stellenbosch
- Address: 22 Dorp St, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, 7599, South Africa
Protea Hotel by Marriott Dorpshuis & Spa Stellenbosch offers superior rooms with king-sized beds and deluxe rooms with rustic charm.
You can enjoy top-notch facilities including an indoor heated pool, sauna, and fully equipped gymnasium. This hotel is ideal for those looking for quality accommodation at affordable prices.
Conclusion
Stellenbosch is one of the most beautiful, picturesque regions in all of Africa. From its vineyards to its bustling downtown area and bustling port district, there seems like no end to what you can explore here.
With all the enjoyable wineries and their award-winning bottles, Stellenbosch is the perfect place for both amateurs and wine experts from all around the world.
In conclusion, there are plenty of wineries and vineyards to choose from in Stellenbosch, but we feel confident that you’ll be able to find one perfect for your taste. One thing is certain; there will always be a new wine tasting experience waiting just around the corner.