Introducing Cape Winelands

Surrounding by magnificent mountains and lush valleys, the scenic Cape Winelands are located in the Western Province of South Africa.  The Cape Winelands include the towns of Franschhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Wellington.

The picturesque towns and villages in the Cape Winelands feature many historic homesteads and monuments.  Fruit orchards and endless vineyards are the main characteristics of the landscape in the Cape Winelands.  It is the Mediterranean climate, the winter rainfall as well as the perfect soil conditions of the south-western Cape which produces some of the best wines in South Africa.

The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River Valley and especially the areas of Somerset West, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, have become world famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies. South African wines have received many awards and are exported to all corners of the world.  Besides the towns of the Cape Winelands, the Constantia Valley, Coastal Routes, Little Karoo and Olifants River are also home to popular Wine Routes.

Attractions and places of interest in the Cape Winelands, Western Cape Province (South Africa)

The beautiful Cape Winelands in South Africa are home to many prestigious wine estates and sightseeing places.

Cape Wine Estates: 

• Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, Jonkershoek Valley
• Burgerhuis Museum, Stellenbosch
• Butterfly World
• Franschhoek Wine Route
• Groot Drakenstein Prison
• Paarl Vintners
• Stellenbosch Wine Routes
• Wellington Wine Route
• Huguenot Memorial
• Afrikaanse Taal Monument
• Wijnland Auto Museum
• Limietberg Nature Reserve
• Drakenstein Lion Park

Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands (South Africa)

Suburbs of Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands (Western Cape Province, South Africa)

• Brandwacht
• Cloetesville
• Dalsig
• Die Boord
• Idas Valley
• Karendal
• Kayamandi
• La Coline
• Mostertsdrift
• Simonsig
• Universiteitsoord
• Voëltjiesdorp

Districts of Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands (Western Cape Province, South Africa)

• Koelenhof
• Vlottenburg
• Lynedoch

Before you go: tips for wine tasting tours

Wine tasting tends to take longer than you anticipate. Don’t ‘over work’ your nose – pick a few farms and savour the experience.  Book tables or picnics before you leave (preferably a few days in advance) to avoid disappointment. If you’re travelling in a large party, book tastings too.

Take your time in wine regions further out – we have a range of excellent hotels from which to base your exploration.  Drinking and driving is a punishable offense in South Africa. Always decide on a designated driver before you head out, or join an organised wine tour.

Great picnic spots in Cape Town & Cape Winelands at wine estates

Cape Town picnic venues:

Buitenverwachting Wine Estate: located near Groot Constantia on the Constantia Wine Route, picnics at this magnificent wine estate are an unforgettable experience. 

Cape Point Vineyards: guests may enjoy a delicious picnic under the estate's pine trees at a series of tables and chairs and with a choice of sumptuous wines to choose from.  Parents may relax as the children play in a sand pit under a jungle gym.  From the Cape Point Vineyards scenic sea views can be enjoyed.

Durbanville picnic venue:

Zewenwacht Wine Estate: the grounds at the Zewenwacht Wine Estate in Durbanville are magnificent.  The Cape Dutch manor house is truly stylish, and there are children’s play areas that make family picnics a fun experience.  

Franschhoek picnic venues:

Solms-Delta Wine Estate: with the picnic basket in hand, one wanders down to find a calm, quiet spot either on the banks of the Dwars River or in a verdant field overlooking Solms lake. 

Allée Bleue Wine Estate: this famous wine estate is situated almost next door to the Solms-Delta Wine Estate.  Allée Bleue is home to magnificent historic oak trees which offer shade under which bedecked tables.

Le Pique Nique / Boschendal Wine Estate:  Boschendal offers an incredible picnic experience. As its name indicates, this is a picnic with a French twist. So your colourful picnic basket is filled with things like fresh baguettes, pâtés and more. 

Le Verger Wine Estate: a French affaire awaits visitors to Le Verger Wine Estate which is yet another beautiful wine farm.  This wine estate is home of JC Le Roux sparkling wine.

Rickety Bridge Wine Estate: being the only wine estate in the Franschhoek valley without a French name, Rickety Bridge has had its picnics described as ‘creative’ and ‘kaleidoscopic’.

Mont Rochelle Wine Estate: visitors can stroll through vineyards to a dam, through a rose garden or simply sit under a weeping willow to unpack their picnic basket of delights and enjoy a bottle of chilled wine.

Stellenbosch picnic venues:

Spier Wine Estate: one of the most popular places to spend a Sunday, the picnic at Spier consists of selecting own items from a deli.  Picnics can be enjoyed on the lawns or down on the banks of the Eerste River. Here guests can build their own picnic. 

Zorgvliet Wine Estate: this wine estate is worth going just for the gorgeous environment.  At Zorgvliet a great selection of different picnics is available and one can choose the wine to accompany a meal.  A jungle gym is available for children. 

Hartenberg: there is a wetland walking trail at Hartenberg, and visitors can collect their picnic in a backpack and make their way through the walk before hand, finding a wonderful spot.  

Wellington picnic venue:

Doolhof Wine Estate: the Doolhof Wine Estate is home to a beautiful and incredibly scenic River Walk which makes a picnic here all the more enjoyable as there are several kilometres of pathway offering wonderful places.

Somerset West picnic venues:

Vergelegen Wine Estate: the famous Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West which is located in close proximity to the Erinvale Golf Estate offers a wonderful setting under the enormous and ancient trees for picnics.