A simple guide to wine tasting in Stellenbosch, South Africa
Vergelegen Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa (ISO 100, 45 mm, f/10, 1/250 s)
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South Africa has become an increasingly popular destination for travelers. I was lucky enough to live just outside of Cape Town in the small city of Stellenbosch for several months. South Africa is an ideal place to go for wine tasting, adventure sports, professional sports, safari, and hiking. Stellenbosch itself, is a perfect microcosm for the entire country where you can experience all of these things. You can find a Google map of the places I will discuss at the end of this post..
The best way to get around after arriving at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is most definitely by car as public transportation is not as connected or convenient as one would like. Making your home base in Stellenbosch is a great and more affordable option than finding a place in Cape Town. The city itself is enjoyable to see as there are landmarks around you will want to check out, but some of the attractions in more rural areas on the outskirts also make staying in Stellenbosch a smart idea.
When it comes to wine country, you’re already there. Driving to Stellenbosch from the airport, you will pass countless wineries, most having their own guest houses and restaurants on site. You can choose to stay at one of these places or hire a driver to take you around wine tasting to select vineyards during one of the days of your stay.
And if you happen to have a lot of time on your hands, consider taking a road trip through the entire Western Cape/Cape Town. You can see my blog posts on a road trip here: Part I and Part II. If you find yourself in the Gauteng Province (east part of the country), also consider seeing Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park as well for safari (more info here).
Vergelegen Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa (ISO 100, 18 mm, f/9, 1/250 s)
You can usually expect tastings to be between 4-8 wines of both red and white (and sometimes rose) varieties, but some offer wine pairings with food: Clos Malverne offers wine and ice cream, as well as wine and cheese at Fairview Vineyards. In the case of Clos Malverne, booking at least one day in advance is required. This is generally a good practice to do for any winery in the region, so it's recommended to plan ahead.
Other wineries in the area that I can recommend based on my own experiences are:
Perhaps the most prestigious wine estate in the area is Vergelegen. The portfolio of wines here are incredible and the grounds boast wonderful gardens and old homes that have been refurbished into museums and the like. The estate has even hosted state gatherings such as the state dinner between then presidents Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton. This is also one of the only wineries that requires a small fee to enter the property.
Stellenbosch, South Africa (ISO 80, 6.2 mm, f/8, 1/125 s)
When it comes to the wine itself, in my opinion, it always tastes best at the vineyard. When you’re in South Africa, it is absolutely necessary to try pinotage wines as well, which are red grapes native to the country. It was created back in 1925 by a professor from Stellenbosch Unviersity, which fittingly so, offers degree courses on wines through the department of viticulture and oenology. So for all wine lovers who maybe love the elixir a bit too much, here you can actually get an education and university degree for your obsession/passion.
Asara Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa (ISO 80, 6.2 mm, f/2.8, 1/320 s)
If you’re not into wine, but more into champagne, look no further than JC LeRoux. This drink is technically, legally, not allowed to be a champagne, but is instead described as MCC, or Methode Cap Classique. Here you can tour the vineyard and processing area, and it also features a chic bar (think bachelorette parties) and a cigar room (think bachelor parties). Their tasting menu involves pairing different MCC varieties with nougat and chocolate.
Stunning views, excellent wines, fantastic accommodation, and wonderful food (not to mention awesome currency exchange rate), you can’t really go wrong with a wine-inspired holiday here in South Africa.
Zorgvliet Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa (ISO 100, 34 mm, f/8, 1/200 s)
If you want to check out another nearby town with the same charm as Stellenbosch and that is also known for its wineries, head over to the township of Franschhoek for a day or two.
J.C. LeRoux, Stellenbosch, South Africa (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/9, 1/200 s)
Lastly, you can rest assured that if you like all of the wines, (or just a few), every winery will either have a distributor that is available in your home country, or can ship several (dozen) bottles right to your door, not to mention you can buy on site and take them with you back home. Check with your country’s customs regulations first before buying the entire stock of wine to bring back.
For EVEN MORE wine routes in the western cape, check out this map here.
For great food options and cozy atsmophere in Stellenbosch, head on over to:
Steam Restaurant as well as Gino’s.
For great farmer’s markets in the area, check out:
Stellenbosch Route 44 Market and Stellenbosch Slow Market.
NOTE: I cannot recommend hiring a driver or taxi enough from going between multiple wineries in a day. The driving laws in South africa are quite strict when it comes to alcohol and it’s best to be smart with knowing how much you plan to consume and sticking to it.
