The Seven Best Cape Town Wineries

Cape Town is ranked as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was recently voted the third-best city on the planet by The Daily Telegraph – and it’s easy to see why.

Apart from the fabulous weather, first-world amenities, and breathtaking location, Cape Town is a top wine-tasting destination.

South Africa has proudly achieved more gold medals than any other country at the 2022 International Wine and Spirit Competition. 

But with so many wine farms to choose from during your visit, where do you even begin?

That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to the seven best wine farms to visit in Cape Town.

Not only will this article show you where each wine farm is located, but you’ll also learn more about their rich history and why they are worth a visit. 

Your Cape Town Wine Map

Below you will find a map with our hand-picked selection of the best wineries in Cape Town to help you plan your route. 

1. Delaire Graff

www.delaire.co.za/

Situated on the scenic Helshoogte Pass just outside of Stellenbosch, Delaire Graff is boutique wine farm and one of the most prestigious in the world.

Not only does the farm have a modern look and feel, but it also boasts some of the best panoramic views of Cape Town. 

When you visit, you’ll be treated to the ultimate tasting experience, with wines that have been expertly crafted. 

These wines are made with minimal intervention during the winemaking process, allowing the grapes to follow a natural fermentation route.

This gives the final product a more natural taste that enhances its authenticity.

You can also see this process in action if you join one of the wine-tasting tours, where an expert guide will take you through all the steps – from picking to bottling.

Once you’ve finished your wine tasting, you can extend your visit by enjoying a meal at one of the two fine dining restaurants on site. 

You can also take a stroll around the wildflower garden, where you’ll be able to view a curated selection of art from the owner’s personal collection. 

Our wine recommendations

If you love a good white wine, sample the Delaire Graff Sunrise Brut MCC NV, named after a large yellow diamond.

The late-harvest dessert wine, Sunburst, is also a great option if you’re looking for something a bit sweeter.

If white wine isn’t your thing, you can also try any of their large selection of red wines or fruity rosé. 

2. Groot Constantia 

www.grootconstantia.co.za

Established in 1685, Groot Constantia is South Africa’s first and oldest wine farm. Its relaxing atmosphere also allows you to immerse yourself in the country’s heritage and culture. 

The farm is also known for its award-winning wines that are internationally renowned.

In fact, the winemakers pride themselves on their finely tuned method that produces wine of a consistently high quality.

When you sit down for a wine tasting, you’ll learn about the fermentation process and hear some interesting facts about the wine. 

You can also go on a cellar tour where you can experience how the wine is made for yourself – you might even be allowed to give it a try! 

If you visit, put aside a few extra hours to spend on the farm. Absorb the magnificent natural scenery as you walk around the grounds or enjoy a delicious traditional South African meal at the Jonkershuis restaurant.

Our wine recommendation

Groot Constantia is known for its dessert wines – Vin de Constance and Grand Constance – both of which were originally requested for export by Napoleon himself.

The winery also offers wide range of white, red, and rosé wines.

3. Spier

https://www.spier.co.za/

Spier is a family-owned wine farm in South Africa that offers high-quality wines and a relaxing setting.

Not only have Spier’s wines won numerous international awards, but the farm is also recognised as one of the Top 100 Vineyards in the world.

Their wines are produced from organically-farmed grapes, with the process being one of the few ones recognised as completely environmentally sustainable.

Spier also has a selection of organic and vegan wines, making this the perfect spot for plant-based visitors.

The wine-tasting experience at Spier is a bit more casual, and you can enjoy your drinks as you take a stroll through the vast gardens.

Once you’ve finished your tasting, you can head to the deli to buy a bottle of your favourite wine while browsing a selection of delicious foods.

Then head to the grounds and choose a picnic spot where you can spend the afternoon sampling organic snacks – and enjoying your wine, of course.

Spier also has a few restaurants on the estate that you can visit. Depending on your preference, you can have a meal at the steakhouse, hotel, or bakery. 

Our wine recommendations

Spier has a wide range of wines on offer to suit any taste, and they are best known for both their white and red options.

The Chenin Blanc and Shiraz have been named as two of the best in the world, making them a must-try option. 

4. Meerlust

https://www.meerlust.co.za/

Owned and run by the same family for nearly 300 years, Meerlust Estate is a national monument and a piece of South African heritage that is a must-visit. 

Besides the large manor house built in the classic Cape Dutch architecture style, Meerlust Estate includes a large wine cellar, beautiful gardens, dovecote, bird sanctuary, and wine-tasting centre. 

One of the unique aspects of Meerlust’s winemaking process is that it takes inspiration from the traditional French Bordeaux winemakers.

This means that the grapes are allowed to ripen slowly and naturally, which helps them to develop full aromas and flavours. 

It also means that the wine produced by Meerlust is consistent in terms of its high quality and it features fuller and richer flavours.

Meerlust is well known for its red wines, specifically the Rubicon blend that has received international acclaim.

Rubicon was also the first Bordeaux blend to be produced in South Africa and remains a benchmark for many of the locally produced red wines – making it a must-try for any wine connoisseur.

When visiting Meerlust, you’ll be able to enjoy a relaxed tasting of their full range of red wines, while learning more about the history of the farm through a photographic timeline.

Then you can head to the wine shop to purchase all your favourite wines from the tasting, before taking a walk around the large estate.

Our wine recommendations

Meerlust is known for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a great option for red wine lovers. You can also sample their Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. 

5. Steenberg

www.steenbergfarm.com

Situated 30 kilometres away from the Cape Town city centre, Steenberg wine farm offers a relaxed wine-tasting experience among the rolling vineyards.

Unlike many of the historical wine farms in the Cape, Steenberg is divided into two distinct sections that combine traditional techniques with modern technology – both in the wine-making process and Steenberg’s architecture. 

During the wine-tasting, you’ll learn about how the wine-making process has changed over the years and how a farm like Steenberg has adapted without compromising the quality of their wine.

Steenberg’s wines are award-winning, with many of them named as best in their categories, so you’ll be spoiled for choice during your tasting.

All the wines are also available for purchase at their wine shop.

After your tasting, you can head to one of the two restaurants on the estate for an expertly-prepared meal that is specially made to compliment the wines.

You can even extend your stay at Steenberg by visiting their top-rated hotel and spa, or enjoy a round of golf on the grounds.

Our wine recommendations

Their cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc is a Veritas Awards Gold Medal winner and an absolute must if you enjoy a high-end white.

If you prefer something other than Sauvignon Blanc, Steenberg has a wide selection of reds, sparkling wines, and rosé available.

6. Haute Cabriere

Haute Cabriere is a family owned and run wine farm set among the Franschhoek mountains – offering great views and wine. 

This wine farm specialises in cultivating Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, which are used to create some of the best wines to be found in the Cape Winelands.

Haute Cabriere is also one of the first farms to create a Chardonnay Pinot Noir. In fact, their award-winning blend was developed on the back of a harvest gone wrong!

The result was a blend that no one had ever considered before, and it became popular among South African wine farmers. 

The winemaker at Haute Cabriere is also known for their expert techniques that allow for a more natural and gentle fermentation process. 

Not only does this allow for more unique flavours to develop, but it also gives the wines a consistent and lovely taste. 

Sample the many flavours and grape varieties that Haute Cabriere has to offer, while relaxing in the unique, stone-encased wine tasting room.

You’ll learn about the history and bottling process of each wine from their knowledgeable team.

While visiting the farm, you can also enjoy a cosy meal in the beautiful French-inspired restaurant, which combines authentic cooking with fine dining luxury.

Or, if you’re looking for something more casual, you can stop by the bakery for some farm-fresh pastries and other delicious treats.

Our wine recommendations

If you’re a fan of white wine or red blends, you’ll enjoy the wines on offer at Haute Cabriere. 

Their famous Pinot Noir is a must-try, along with any of the Chardonnays on offer. If you’re a red wine lover, you’ll also be spoiled for choice.

You can also enjoy a refreshing glass of their expertly-crafted bubbly. 

7. Rust en Vrede

Situated on the lower slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, Rust en Vrede is a picturesque wine farm that specialises in red blends.

This farm only produces 20,000 cases of wine per year, making it a sought-after and exclusive product – definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Before heading for a wine tasting, you can explore the vast gardens on the estate that overlook Table Mountain.

While walking around, you will come across the original Cape Dutch structures that were built almost 300 years ago. Most of these buildings are still in use, and all of them have a National Monument status.

Then, sit down for a unique experience as you sample a selection of wines in the same cellar where they were produced.

You can also join an informal tour of the cellar, where you’ll learn more about the winemaking process and the history of the farm. 

Rust en Vrede also offers a unique Winemakers Lunch that has a set menu with food options that have been carefully selected by the winemaker.

You’ll also receive a glass of wine that pairs perfectly with the food option you’ve chosen, making this a lovely experience for a food lover. 

Our wine recommendations 

Rust en Vrede has a sole focus on red wines, with a large selection ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon to Syrah.

If you want to make your wine-tasting experience even more unique, add their Potstill brandy to the mix. 

Explore the Best of Cape Town 

If you’re a wine-lover visiting Cape Town, you must put time aside to experience the fine wines that the various regions have on offer. 

Enjoy a range of unique wine tastings with internationally acclaimed wines, while immersing yourself in South African heritage and culture.

If you’re looking for even more Cape Town travel inspiration, check out some of our other articles that feature the city’s attractions on the Seven Best website.

You can also discover a variety of interesting insights which will help make your stay in Cape Town special and memorable.

The Seven Best

The Seven Best was founded by David McCready to share his passion and experiences of South Africa after more than a decade of visiting the country.

The brand’s name is inspired by Table Mountain being recently named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. 

David and a small team of handpicked writers have come up with curated lists and tips of must-sees and dos when you are visiting, along with other topics we think you might be interested in to further introduce you to this incredibly diverse country.

Learn more about David here.