Western Cape, east of Cape Town · South Africa
White Cape Dutch manor houses in oak-lined valleys, vineyards beneath jagged mountains and long lunches with award-winning wine, an hour from Cape Town.
Photo: Harvey Barrison from Massapequa, NY, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
South Africa has been making wine since 1659, when the first Cape vintage was pressed by the colony's Dutch founder, Jan van Riebeeck. The most important regions are in the mountain-ringed valleys east of Cape Town, where warm, dry summers and cool sea breezes are ideal for grapes. The area, called the Cape Winelands, includes the university town of Stellenbosch, the French-influenced village of Franschhoek, the larger town of Paarl, and the historic estates of Constantia on the edge of Cape Town.
The estates are as beautiful as the wine. Many are grouped around white, gabled Cape Dutch manor houses, some dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, with oaks, rose gardens and vineyards against a backdrop of dramatic mountains. Wine tasting is often paired with food, and restaurants in the region rank among the best in the country. The Cape's signature grapes include Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, a local cross, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Wine tourism is well organised, with tasting rooms, tours, a Wine Tram in Franschhoek and cycling routes. It is close enough to Cape Town for a day trip, but a night or two is better, particularly in Franschhoek or Stellenbosch, where a stay on a vineyard estate is part of the experience.
Why visit
The Winelands combine some of the most beautiful landscapes in South Africa with excellent wine and food.
Estates producing Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet and more, with tastings for all levels.
Vineyards and mountains, with oak-lined roads and Cape Dutch buildings.
Restaurants and farm-to-table lunches at estates.
Stellenbosch, South Africa's second-oldest town, and Franschhoek's Huguenot heritage.
About 45 minutes from Cape Town's airport.
Main attractions
Give each town a day, or combine them into a tour.
A university town founded in 1679, with oak-lined streets, Cape Dutch houses and museums, surrounded by more than 100 wine estates.
Tip Walk Dorp Street, and book a tasting.
A village settled by French Huguenots in 1688, now known as the country's food and wine capital, with a memorial museum, boutiques and top restaurants.
Tip Book the Wine Tram.
A long town below a granite dome, with old estates, the Afrikaans Language Monument and a wine route.
Tip Visit an old estate.
A farm and estate near Franschhoek with a huge kitchen garden, restaurants and a hotel in Cape Dutch buildings.
Tip Book lunch in advance.
South Africa's oldest wine estate, founded in 1685, in Constantia on the edge of Cape Town, with a museum and tastings.
Tip Combine with other Constantia estates.
Manor houses such as Boschendal, Vergelegen and others, with tours, gardens and restaurants.
Tip Choose two or three estates.
Things to do
Wine, food and scenery make up the days.
Visit three or four, with a lunch break.
Tip Book in advance and hire a driver.
A hop-on hop-off tram and bus that links estates.
Tip Book a day pass.
Quiet roads and tracks link estates.
Tip Rent an e-bike.
Many estates serve seasonal menus with wine pairings.
Tip Reserve early.
Trails in the Jonkershoek or Franschhoek mountains.
Tip Go early.
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek have galleries and markets.
Tip Check opening days.
Local food
The Winelands' food is estate-led, with produce from farms and gardens and a mix of Cape traditions.
The Cape's signature white, in styles from fresh to oaked.
Where to try it Every estate.
A South African red, a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault.
Where to try it Stellenbosch and Paarl.
Modern dishes with local ingredients, such as springbok, trout and fruit.
Where to try it Restaurants in Franschhoek.
Artisan cheese, olives and preserves at farm shops.
Where to try it Estates and markets.
A warm sponge dessert.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Accommodation
Stay on an estate or in a small town.
Transport
The Winelands are 45 to 75 km from Cape Town.
A driver or a tour is the easiest way to taste wine.
When to go
The Winelands have hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Hot, sunny and green, with alfresco lunches.
Harvest season, golden vines and pleasant weather.
Cool and wet, with fires and low prices.
Green, with blossom.
Worth planning around: The hottest days of January, and busy Easter and Christmas periods.
Itinerary
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.
History and wine.
Food and wine.
Farm and garden.
Travel tips
A few tips make wine touring better.
FAQ
Two or three days. A day trip from Cape Town is also possible.
November to April.
Franschhoek for food and charm, Stellenbosch for variety, and Paarl for a quieter feel.
It is strongly recommended if you plan to drink.
Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Tastings are inexpensive, and wine and food are good value.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with the Cape Winelands, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Western Cape, south-west coast, South Africa
One of the world's most beautiful cities: Table Mountain, the Waterfront, Robben Island, the Cape Peninsula's penguins and Cape Point, Kirstenbosch, Bo-Kaap and a superb food scene.
Don't miss The top of Table Mountain on a clear day, looking over the city, the bay and the Atlantic coast at your feet.
Explore Destination — Cape TownWestern Cape, south coast, Overberg, South Africa
A seaside town 90 minutes from Cape Town with whales from June to November, plus shark-cage diving at Gansbaai, Cape Agulhas, wine in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and coastal walks.
Don't miss A southern right whale mother and calf just metres from the cliff path, seen with no boat needed.
Explore Destination — Hermanus and the OverbergWestern and Eastern Cape, south coast, South Africa
A scenic coastal drive from Mossel Bay to Tsitsikamma, with Knysna's lagoon, Plettenberg Bay's beaches, ancient forests, the Storms River suspension bridge and the ostrich country of Oudtshoorn.
Don't miss The sea-carved cliffs and forest of Tsitsikamma, from the suspension bridge across the Storms River mouth.
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