The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Tuk Tuk Stellies specialises in wine tours in the Cape Winelands on an authentic Thai Tuk Tuk. “So much more fun on an open vehicle, wind blowing in your hair & toe tapping 80’s medleys from one winery to the next. Your well informed tour guide knows the history of Stellenbosch and its wines well and will make sure that you have a fun filled, informative trip.”

Passionate about wine! Based in the heart of the winelands, our specialty is wine! We cater for those that want to have an informal, informative and fun day out in the beautiful wine country, be they wine novices, connoisseurs or wine lovers! Our tours differ daily but have one thing in common....small family ,historical vineyards that are hidden away in the valleys are our preferred destinations. We want you to spend a day enjoying award winning wines, fine cuisine and admiring spectacular scenery.Our group tours are small ( max13pax ) which enables us to give you personal attention and look after your wine preferences and needs.We collect you from your accommodation in Cape Town and Stellenbosch and visit the regions of Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch. The tour is flexible and varies daily once the qualified guide has had a chat to you about your wine preferences etc. We also can cater for private tours. Private tours allow us to tailor the day to suit your needs entirely or join a group tour for a fantastic introduction to this beautiful part of the Cape!

Waterford Estate is situated in one of the world's most visually arresting pockets of paradise. Nestled in the picturesque Blaauwklippen Valley, in the world renowned Stellenbosch region, this 120 hectare property owned by Jeremy and Leigh Ord and managed by partner and Cellar master Kevin Arnold. The Estate boasts old citrus groves, rolling lawns, water features and fragrant lavender and rosemary beds. You'd be forgiven for thinking you were in the heart of Provence or the Spanish countryside, with your first glimpse of this enchanting realm. However, we are immensely proud of our uniquely South African location and the rich diversity of our indigenous flora and fauna. The winery was styled along the engaging terracotta design and was the result of winemaker Kevin Arnold and architect Alex Walker teaming up to create the home of Waterford Estate wines. The centre piece of the magnificent courtyard is the Waterford Estate fountain. This feature has been immortalized in the Waterford Estate label and represents a fundamental component of our philosophy. We believe in the old adage of 'less is more'. There is nothing pretentious or ostentatious about the estate, rather the visual impact is one of a seamless whole, which complements rather than detracts from the surrounding natural beauty. Welcome to our world, a world where the passing of time and the change in seasons only add rich layers of character and charm to the scene.

Horse riding in a reserve with giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, springbuck and more. No riding experience needed and children from 8. Optional wine tasting ride

Nestled in the heart of the Banghoek valley, you will find Oldenburg Vineyards. Our wines embody a rare confluence of natural elements, with the iconic Rondekop hill at the centre of it all. These unique elements offer a winemaker’s blank canvas to create delicious wines, with ideal structure and balance, and incredible ageing potential. The natural beauty of our corner inspires authenticity in all we do – from the vineyards and the winemaking through every aspect of our business. Explore our wines through one of our fine wine experiences. Relax for a while with a stay at the Homestead. Come and immerse yourself in the Oldenburg experience.

All wine estates in the Western Cape are beautiful and all have unique terroir. However, we believe that DeMorgenzon is the most extraordinary of them all. Our slopes rise from about 200m to nearly 400m above sea level and our vistas embrace Cape Town, Table Mountain, Cape Point, Cape Hangklip, the Hottentots Holland mountains, Helderberg and Simonsberg with the ocean as a backdrop. While we could call ourselves 'mountain vineyards' we prefer to be known as 'garden vineyards'. In Spring specially chosen wildflowers flourish between our vines. We have no doubt that a biodiverse and ecologically sensitive environment produces infinitely better grapes and the beauty of our gardens is captured in every bottle of our wine. We pipe Baroque music through our vineyards 24x7 and believe that the power of music positively influences the ripening process.

South African roots. Worldwide acclaim. Gary and Kathy Jordan have been making world-class wines since 1993 on a farm with a history going back over 300 years. He's a geologist, she's an economist - together this husband and wife team is a phenomenon. Gary's parents, Ted and Sheelagh, bought the 146-hectare Stellenbosch property in 1982, and embarked on an extensive replanting programme, specializing in classic varieties suited to the different soils and slopes. From the Jordan hillside vineyards one has spectacular panoramic views of Table Mountain, False Bay and Stellenbosch. Gary and Kathy worked internationally for two years, refining their high-energy instincts with practical experience. They returned home to build a cellar in 1992. The following year the vines were judged ready for making wines that would carry the Jordan name. From that first year it was obvious that a new star had been added to the winemaking firmament. Continuing success has enlarged the team, with the focus on producing fiercely individual wines that combine the fruity accessibility of the New World with the Classic Elegance of the Old. Jordan wines - a team effort, distinctly individual in character. Unique by Nature's Design. The Jordan philosophy is simple: Success begins in the vineyards. Exceptional wines are made possible by careful management of the farm's extensive natural assets through innovative canopy management and selecting varieties and clones specifically suited to the various soils and slopes. Unique by Nature's Design, the Jordan slopes face North, South, East, and West, with vineyards lying at differing altitudes from 160 to 410 m above sea level. The vineyards with their close proximity to both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans benefit from coastal fog and cool breezes. A mild Mediterranean climate with a maritime influence minimizes the risk of frost damage. The soils at Jordan have evolved from 600 million year old Cape Granite, and range from deep, well-drained clay-loam to gravelly and sandy duplex soils situated on clay. The Jordan philosophy combines the vineyards' natural assets with innovative management, creating a profound expression of terroir. It also includes a profound respect for nature with a selection of indigenous flora and fauna to be found on the farm Technology in the hands of Mother Nature The cellar is pure Jordan. An elegant, yet bold fusion of Old and New World architectural ideas. State-of-the-art, practical and functional, the high-tech elements blend easily with the forces of nature. The cellar is designed around a gravity flow system using natural cooling through recessing the cellar into the slope of the mountain. Stainless steel fermentation tanks, varying in capacity, enable fruit from individual vineyards to be vinified separately. Tanks are jacketed with cooling bands to ensure controlled fermentation and storage temperatures. The barrel-fermented white wines are made according to Classic Burgundian methods. Fermentation takes place in the coolest area of the underground cellar. Separate barrel cellars are designated for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz where the wines mature and undergo malolactic fermentation in Bordeaux-shaped barrels. To ensure the highest level of quality, all wine is bottled and labeled on site, thus completing the circle from vineyards to wine. The Jordan cellar - a perfect environment to transform exceptional fruit into world-class wine.

Eagle Encounters is a privately-run, non-profit wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, conservation, education and eco-tourism organisation based on the organic Spier Wine Farm in the beautiful Stellenbosch Winelands. Our speciality is working with those mysterious, underrated and misunderstood creatures called birds of prey. Bring the family and friends along and join us on a journey of discovery into the amazing world of a variety of magnificent South African animals. Delight in spectacular interactive flying shows and be humbled by personal, one-on-one encounters with these enchanting, lovable, sentient beings. While you're savouring your experience, learn about our behind-the-scenes rescue, rehabilitation and conservation work in the fight to preserve these important creatures for future generations. Don't forget to bring your camera along to capture these unique and unforgettable memories!

The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, located in the historical center of Stellenbosch, is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa. This compact Garden houses an enormous diversity of plants, both indigenous to South Africa and exotic. The Garden is open to the public and a R10 admission applies. Although the Garden does not have a visitor parking area, a parking lot is located adjacent to the garden in Van Riebeeck Street.

The exclusive winery of Peter Falke is nestled against the majestic slopes of the Helderberg mountains in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands, South Africa. Groenvlei Farm is home to rambling magenta bougainvillea, delicate scented roses and wild lavender growing alongside carefully cultivated vineyards. Dating back to the 18th century, the traditional gabled Cape Dutch buildings of the wine estate belie a contrasting modernity within. The stately old homestead is partnered by a "boutique" winery, contemporary wine tasting room and luxurious outdoor lounge which have established Peter Falke Wines as the most elegant and serene sundowner retreat in the winelands. Owner Peter Falke and his better half, Daniele Gortz, invite you to enjoy the exceptional wines that reflect their lifestyle, cultures and personalities.