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A short distance from the city, the winelands
region is one of the most picturesque areas of the Western Cape.
The three major wine routes, most passing through the quaint and
historical towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, offer an
opportunity to appreciate the Cape's history and traditions while being
surrounded by spectacular landscapes of vineyards hugging hills and
valleys.
The best way to discover the winelands is by car, where
you can stop of your own accord at the wine estates' traditional Cape
Dutch homesteads. Take time to sample the farms' offerings,
tour the cellars or enjoy a leisurely lunch
on the spacious grounds.
Wine tastings, offered by age-old estates, are a popular
means of sampling one of the Cape's greatest exports. At most wine estates
it is possible to purchase bottles or cases
of the estate's wines.
Below is our top selection of wine estates to visit during your Cape Town
holiday: |
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| Buitenverwachting |
| This estate is most famous for its pleasant and
spacious grounds, excellent wines (Buiten Blanc and Rhine Riesling among
the more well-known) and one of Cape Town's best restaurants. On a
gorgeous summer's day, order a picnic basket from the restaurant and relax
on the estate lawns. |
| Klein Constantia Road, Tel. (021) 794 5190/1 |
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| Cellars Hohenort |
| This estate unites two great Cape traditions: the
magnificently restored cellars of 18th century Klaasenbosch wine estate
and the Hohenort Manor House, previously owned by the Spilhaus family.
Besides wine tasting, the estate offers grape picking in its vineyard. |
| 93 Brommersvlei Rd., Tel (021) 794 2137 |
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| Constantia Uitsig |
| This is a 200-acre wine farm which, besides its cellar
tours and wine tasting, offers luxury Cape cottage accommodation set in
the lush grounds. Escape here for a peaceful and romantic getaway. |
| Spaanschemat River Rd, Tel (021) 794 1810 |
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| Groot Constantia |
| The biggest and grandest of the Constantia wine
estates, Groot Constantia offers guests wine tastings surrounded by
traditional buildings, beautiful gardens and traditional Cape food at the
Jonkershuis Restaurant. Cellar tours are available on request. |
| Groot Constantia Road, High Constantia Tel. (021)
794 5128 |
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| Klein Constantia |
| This estate's flagship wine is the Vin de Constance, a
dessert wine that was once enjoyed by Napoleon, Bismarck and Frederick the
Great, as well as being mentioned in novels of Austen and Dickens. It's a
small estate but worth visiting for its excellent tasting room and
informative displays. |
| Klein Constantia Road, Tel. (021) 794 5188 |
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| Boschendal |
| One of the oldest estates in the country, Boschendal
is a classic Franschhoek estate with its oak-lined avenues and traditional
Cape Dutch buildings. The estate produces an impressive range of red and
white wines which can be enjoyed over lunch in the stylish restaurant. |
| Pniel Road, Groote Drakenstein, Tel (021) 870
4210 |
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| Chamonix |
| The Chamonix wine farm contains a wine tasting centre
and offers cellar tours by appointment. The farm is open to the public
daily from 9:30 until 17:00. The estate contains a traditional family
bistro where lunch can be enjoyed before or after wine tasting. |
| Uitkyk St, Tel. (021) 876 2498 |
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| Cabriere Estate |
| Cabriere produces an excellent range of brandies,
white, red and dessert wines that can be enjoyed every weekday and on
Saturday mornings. Cellar tours are led by proprietor Achim von Arnim, and
the estate's Haute Cabriere restaurant is highly recommended. |
| Berg St, Tel (021) 876 2630 |
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| La Motte |
| La Motte wines have won a host of international awards
and are highly sought-after. Their fine wines, including some exceptional
reds, can be sampled in the stylish tasting room. The estate is open on
weekdays and on Saturday mornings. |
| Tel (021) 876 3114/9 |
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| Mont Rochelle |
| This estate, with its beautiful view of the valley,
offers wine tastings as well as picnic baskets in summer and soup and
bread next to the log fire in winter. Cellar tours are conducted Monday to
Friday and tours of the estate can even be done on horseback. |
| Dassenberg Road, Tel (021) 876 3000 |
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| Simonsvlei |
| Simonsvlei is well-known for its exquisite wines that
are recognised across the world, thus attracting international visitors.
Wine tasting is offered daily except on Sundays, and cellar tours can be
arranged by appointment. |
| Tel. (021) 863-3040 |
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| KWV |
| The internationally renowned KWV cellar complex is the
biggest in the world, resting on 22 hectares. Over 100 various natural
wines, a range of fortified wines and brandies are produced for the global
market, and the estate is also home to the five biggest vats in the world
under one roof. |
| Kohler St, Tel. (021) 807 3007 |
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| Fairview Wine Estate |
| Nestled on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, this estate
produces a range of wines as well as cheeses made from sheep's milk,
goat's milk and cow's milk. These can be purchased at the farm stall, and
wine and cheese tasting is available weekdays, Saturday mornings and on
public holidays. |
| Tel. (021) 863 2450 |
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| Nederberg |
| Nederburg Estate is famous for its internationally
acclaimed wines, which have won over 1100 local and international awards.
The estate offers informal wine tastings, guided cellar tours in a choice
of languages, and summer picnics by appointment from November to February. |
| Tel. (021) 862 3104 |
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| Rhebokskloof |
| This is one of very few wine estates that is open 365
days a year. The estate adjoins the Paarl Nature Reserve, and takes its
name from the indigenous buck found in the area. Formal wine tastings and
cellar tours are available. |
| Tel. (021) 863 8386 |
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| Spier Cellars |
| Spier Cellars has received a list of prestigious
awards and offers wine tasting, cellar tours and a choice of restaurants
for lunch and dinners. In summertime, enjoy a picnic on the estate's
spacious grounds prepared by the Spier Farm Stall. |
| Tel. (021) 809 1100 |
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| Morgenhof |
| Morgenhof Farm boasts a rich heritage dating back to
grape growers in the 1200s. Enjoy daily wine tasting and cellar tours
followed by an a la carte garden lunch in summer or in the glass gazebo
with fireplace during winter. |
| Tel. (021) 889 5510 |
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| Blaauwklippen |
| Blaauwklippen captures the flavour of almost 300 years
of traditional Cape wine making. The estate offers award-winning wines,
wine tasting, cellar tours, year-round lunches, elegant coach rides, an
extensive museum and a function centre for weddings and birthdays. |
| Tel. (021) 880 0133 |
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| Delaire |
| Delaire - 'Vineyards in the Sky' - is a small yet
ideally located vineyard on Helshoogte with breathtaking views. It offers
wine tasting, cellar tours, picnics, a function venue and two
self-catering mountain lodges for the winelover's ideal getaway. |
| Contact Tel. (021) 885 1756 |
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| Neetlingshof |
| A unique, kilometre-long pine tree-lined avenue leads
you to Neetlingshof, a wine estate dating back to 1692. A complete estate
tour is offered where guests tour the cellars and vineyards on a
tractor-drawn trailer. A private wine tasting is conducted outside, and
lunch is a typical South African barbeque enjoyed on the sprawling
grounds. |
| Polkadraai Road, Tel. (021) 883 8988 |
