10 South Africa wineries near Cape Town with tastings

Some of the most iconic and respected South African wine farms are located around the Cape Winelands in the areas of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and Constantia. We visit some excellent South African wineries during our times in Cape Town for tastings and food pairings. It’s a must-do on your Cape Town itinerary

Wineries near Cape Town

The Cape Town area’s different wine regions produce bright Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc white wines as well as big Cabernet Sauvignon red wines, methodé cap classique sparkling wines and the renowned Vin de Constance dessert wine. 

In my guide, you’ll find some of the best wineries to visit for Cape Town wine tours and wine tastings. It’s one of the best ways to learn more about wine production in the region while enjoying a varied range of South Africa’s world-class wines. We didn’t taste one bad South African wine. Let’s go…

Wine Tours

A great way to spend a day during your holiday in Cape Town is to book a wine tour. This way you’ll have a driver, or join a small group tour, and be able to visit a few difference wineries on one trip. Nobody has to worry about driving and everybody gets to enjoy the superb wines on offer.

Check out this range of excellent wine tours from Cape Town. There’s one to suit every pocket:

It’s best to book in advance as these tours fill up quickly.

Stellenbosch

Lying in Western Cape’s coastal region, less than an hour east of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is probably the most famous South African wine-producing region. The relatively dry and hot climate benefits from cooling southeasterly winds off the Atlantic Ocean, and the rolling hills and sheltered valleys of the area allow a variety of wine grapes to be grown. And it’s stunningly beautiful.

Grape varietals include the famous Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, which is often blended with Merlot to create a Bordeaux-style wine, and Shiraz is another common Stellenbosch wine variety. Chenin Blanc is produced across the region, along with Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

Zevenwacht Wine Estate

Langverwacht Rd, Kuils River, Cape Town, 7579, South Africa: 23 miles from Cape Town

Zevenwacht translates as ‘Seven Expectations’, which describes the abundance of delights to be found on this famous Stellenbosch Wine Route stop. Zevenwacht definitely meets those expectations.

This South African wine farm combines modern wine-making skills with a proud 300-year history. Harold and Denise Johnson, who bought Zevenwacht in 1992, are committed to preserving the history and biodiversity of the farm as well as uplifting the farm’s workers and their families.

Zevenwacht wine estate produces an excellent range of wines, including Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, and Merlo, the famous Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, and some delicious blended wines.

Visitors can tour the wine cellar by appointment, which we did, while the Tasting Centre hosts wine tastings with several delicious and some unusual food and wine pairing options. We went with the cheese pairings for our tasting.

The estate enjoys stunning views of Table Mountain, and there’s also a restaurant housed within a 19th-century Manor House and a Country Inn with luxurious suites overlooking Table Bay. It’s a beautiful spot for wine tasting.

Delaire Graff Estate

Helshoogte Rd, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa: 39 miles from Cape Town

Sitting atop the Helshoogte Pass, Delaire Graff Estate is the jewel in the Cape Winelands and has been recognised as one of the World’s Best Vineyards. The estate is owned by jeweller Laurence Graff and has become a world-class producer of South African wines. Delaire is one of the best-known wineries near Cape Town.

The unique combination of mountains and coastal climate results in intensely flavoured grapes. Delaire Graff’s award-winning wines include bold red wines, crisp white wines and elegant rosé wines. We were absolutely wowed by the spectacular views as well as the wines themselves.

On one of Delaire Graff Estate wine tasting experiences, you can sample some of the best wines in South Africa while drinking in the stunning views of Simonsberg Mountain. This must be the best vineyard for views and I was blown away by the stunning scenery surrounding the vineyard.

The Tutored Wine Experiences take place in the Wine Lounge, with places available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seasonal snacks and platters of local cheese and charcuterie are also available to accompany the wine.

The estate also has several luxurious lodges and a boutique spa on-site, making it the perfect location for a special celebration or refined relaxation. It’s totally gorgeous and I’d absolutely love to stay here. It was a bit of a tease to visit for the wine tasting and not stay the night! It’s just off the Stellenbosch main road and one of the easiest wineries to get to from Cape Town.

Stark-Condé Wines

Oude Nektar Farm Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa: 36 miles from Cape Town

Despite being self-taught, Jose Condé’s first vintage won five stars in the Platters Wine Guide. But that’s less of a surprise when you learn that he was working with some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, grown by his father-in-law Hans Schroder.

From that promising start, the Stark-Condé Wines story has been one of premium hand-crafted wines created in the most simple process possible. I’d say that was the perfect pairing. Their grapes are grown organically in a terroir that benefits from high elevation, winter rains and cool coastal breezes.

Varieties grown at Stark-Condé Wines include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdelho, but the signature varietal is their award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon. This is blended with traditional Bordeaux varietals to create a rich wine with a long finish.

Wine tastings at Stark-Condé Wines can be booked online and are held in the tasting room in a stunning setting overlooking the water. You can choose 3-5 wines from the winery’s range of red wines and white wines.

Spier Wine Farm

Baden Powell Dr, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa: 26 miles from Cape Town

Ethical farming lies at the heart of Spier Wine Farm. They prioritise the health of the soil and the well-being of the people working on the farm while crafting wine with maximum care. I think their wine tastes all the better for knowing this.

Spier Wine Farm is a family-owned South African wine farm, and the owners are driven by a commitment to create positive change. And they’re also driven by a passion for wine-making that has twice seen Spire Farm named South African Producer of the Year by the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

This Stellenbosch wine farm is home to one of the oldest wine cellars in South Africa so head there for the history as well as the wine. They create a range of single-varietal red, white and rosé wines that reflect the nuances of the terroir.

You can enjoy a wine tasting session pairing Spier’s award-winning wines with delicious home-grown or locally sourced food, with the Helderberg mountains providing an awe-inspiring backdrop. Booking is essential, and reservations must be confirmed at least 48 hours in advance.

Stellenbosch Town

The historical town of Stellenbosch is worth a visit while you’re in the area. We spent an hour exploring this little french corner of the Cape winelands.

You’ll find pretty roads lined with oak trees and Cape Dutch architecture. There are plenty of boutiques and galleries to explore in this charming little town which is also home to Stellenbosch University. 

Franschhoek

The vineyard-lined Franschhoek Valley lies in the southeast corner of South Africa’s Western Cape wine country, with the Wemmershoek Mountains to the north and the Groot Drakenstein and Franschhoek Mountains to the south. 

Wine has been produced in this area since the 1600s, and it is home to some of the most famous South Africa wine farms.

The shade cast by the mountains, combined with the Berg River running through the valley, creates a warm Mediterranean climate ideal for big, juicy reds and rich, fruity white wines. The main varieties grown by Franschhoek wine farms are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Rickety Bridge Winery

R45, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa: 45 miles from Cape Town

Rickety Bridge Winery lies in a particularly picturesque spot between the Franschhoek River and the Dassenberg Mountain. The name of the estate comes from the old railway sleeper bridge over the Franschhoek River that the estate owners replaced with, thankfully, a less wobbly version in 1996.

This South African wine farm has a long and proud history that stretches back as far as 1797. The farm’s location makes it ideal for growing a range of grape varieties which are used to produce the estate’s award-winning wines. These include the big reds associated with the Cape Town area as well as whites, elegant rosés and some unique varietals.

The estate’s Wine Tasting Centre sits on an elevated terrace overlooking the vineyards and the Franschhoek mountains beyond. It’s a gorgeous spot. We selected 5 world class wines from the Rickety Bridge range for our tasting, while the glass walls gave us a sneak peek behind the scenes in the winery. It’s a really lovely spot for lunch too.

Boschendal Wine Estate

Boschendal Estate, Pniel Road, Groot, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa: 38 miles from Cape Town 

Boschendal is one of the oldest and most esteemed South African wine estates, combining world-class wine with a focus on ethical and sustainable production. They’ve been making exceptional wine at Boschendal Wine Estate for over 330 years, and it’s one of the must-visit wine estates in the Western Cape region.

They focus on Chardonnay and Shiraz varieties and even employ dedicated red and white winemakers to ensure the highest level of expertise in each. Boschendal has also been producing Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines for over 40 years, with the first Boschendal Brut being made in 1981 by Achim van Arnim, one of the pioneers of the method.

The estate’s iconic oak tree is the location for Boschendal wine tastings. There, you can sample their award-winning wines paired with locally produced food, charcuterie, chocolate or even handmade breakfast canapés. Bookings can be made on their website.

Franschhoek Wine Tram 

I couldn’t write about Franschhoek wine without mentioning the iconic Franschhoek Wine Tram. The tram is a unique and laid-back way to explore Franschhoek Valley wineries. You’ll travel through the beautiful valley in an open-air tram-bus or a double-decker tram, stopping off at some of the best South African wineries near Cape Town.

Ten colour-coded Hop-on Hop-off lines offer a range of experiences and premium wine tastings along with stunning views of the vineyards and surrounding area. It’s the best way to learn about the Franschhoek Valley’s wine-making history while enjoying a delicious glass of wine or two along the way. It’s also a lot of fun and the scenery is stunning.

>>> Check rates and availability for the Franschhoek Wine Tram

Paarl

Paarl lies just north of Stellenbosch and is home to some of the best wine farms in the Western Cape winelands. Acres of vineyards stretch from the Boland Mountains on the east to the glistening Paarl Rock on the west, and the wide variation of terroir makes Paarl a great place for growing many varieties of wine grape.

The relatively hot climate and nutrient-poor soils in the higher elevations of the Paarl area result in more robust vines and high quality wines. Shiraz, Pinotage and Chenin Blanc are the most common grapes grown in Paarl.

Marianne Wine Estate

Valley Road – Off R44, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa: 32 miles from Cape Town

The two boutique wineries at the Marianne Wine Estate produce hand-crafted premium wines in the French style but with a South African character. This estate was bought in 2004 by a wine-making family originally from Bordeaux, and their unique combination of Old and New World wine-making results in the creation of delicious world-class wines.

French oak barrels are used to age the elegant Marianne-style red wines, while white and rosé wines are aged in Acacia and Oak barrels to protect the wines’ delicate aromas.

A range of wine tours and tastings are available at the Marianne Wine Estate, and bookings are essential. We sat on the terrace overlooking the vines for our wine tasting.

The options include biltong and wine pairings, which we enjoyed, and a special tasting of four vintages of Floreal wine. This is the estate’s flagship wine, and the first Floreal vintage was served at Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebrations at Buckingham Palace!

​Groot Drakenstein

Whilst in Paarl take time to stop off at Groot Drakenstein correctional centre where Nelson Mandela was imprisioned before finally being released. You can see the gates through which he walked to freedom on 11th February 1990.

There’s an impressive bronze statue of Mandela outside the gates with his raised fist in a gesure of defiance. ‘Freedom to the People’.

Babylonstoren Wine Estate

Klapmuts – Simondium Road, Simondium, 7670, South Africa: 33 miles from Cape Town 

Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms and sits below Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley. Everything about this South African wine farm evokes a feeling of well-being, from the beautiful fruit and vegetable garden to the stylish farm hotel and the exceptional state-of-the-art winery.

Babylonstoren’s high quality wines are made from 13 different varieties of wine grapes, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Wine tastings at Babylonstoren include sampling of 7 wines, or you can choose an express tasting of 3 wines, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Daily cellar tours combine a look behind the scenes with pairings of wines and tasty food accompaniments – booking in advance is recommended for this wine experience.

You can also enjoy a free self-guided tour of the estate’s wine museum, The Story of Wine, which celebrates the origins, traditions and culture of the wine world.

Constantia

Constantia has a proud history of wine-growing that stretches back to the 1700s and 1800s when the area was famous for the Vin de Constance dessert wine. The vineyards were effectively wiped out by disease and insects in the 1860s, and it wasn’t until the 1980s that they were brought back to life.

Today, Constantia is better known for premium Sauvignon Blancs and Bordeaux red blends, as well as modern Muscat Blanc dessert wines made in the Vin de Constance style.

The wine estates in Constantia cover the sides of the Constantiaberg mountain, stretching from relatively low elevations up to around 400m above sea level. The combination of cool sea breezes and the mountain’s protective shade result in cooler climates on the slopes, giving grapes grown in this region a bright acidity. And Constantia’s location in Cape Town’s suburbs makes the region ideal for combining a day trip to South African wineries with a stay in the city.

Constantia Glen

Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa: 11 miles from Cape Town

Constantia Glen is located below Constantia Nek, just a short drive from Cape Town’s busy city centre. This picturesque South African winery produces premium wines that are typical of the region’s cooler climates.

The estate’s owners are justifiably proud of its wine-making history, which stretches back as far as 1695. The land that is now home to the Constantia Glen winery was bought by the Waibel family from Austria in 1960, but the first vineyards were only planted from 2000 onwards.

The winery now produces the crisp Sauvignon Blancs, Rieslings and Chenin Blancs associated with the Constantia region, along with reds and rosés. You can enjoy a selection of these in one of the winery’s tasting experiences, along with some of Cape Town’s most breathtaking views.

Klein Constantia

End of Klein Constantia Rd, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa: 12 miles from Cape Town 

Set in the upper foothills of the Constantiaberg, surrounded by ancient trees and with views over False Bay, Klein Constantia is probably one of the most spectacular wine estates in the world.

It’s the perfect place to create cool climate wines, and this South African winery still produces the famous Vin de Constance sweet wine. This delicately perfumed, golden wine has a unique style and quality, which makes it both delicious to drink and historically significant.

Klein Constantia wine tastings feature a selection of estate wines, along with fascinating information from one of the winery experts. You can also combine a tasting of selected Vin de Constance vintages with a guided wine cellar tour to learn more about this famous wine. Availability and capacity are limited, so booking wine tastings in advance is highly recommended.

Most of the vineyards and wineries will deliver their wines to your home so can pick you favourites and enjoy them for a taste of the Cape wineries once you’re back at home.