What to do and see in Stellenbosch, Western Cape: The Best Wineries & Vineyards

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.

Spier is one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa, with a recorded history dating back to 1692. Spier's winery has won multiple awards in recent years, including Producer of the Year (Mundus Vini, Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2011). We also performed exceptionally at the 2011 International Wine and Spirits Competition (five Best in Class Gold medals and two trophies), and were the top performing SA winery at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles for three consecutive years. The Spier cellar has ISO 22000 certification, is Fair Trade accredited, organically certified and follows the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) criteria.

Rust en Vrede Tasting room offers curated tastings of all the Estate Wines. The lunch option available from 12 pm - 3 pm daily, Comprising a two-item set menu, salmon and steak, historic Stellenbosch estate Rust en Vrede’s lunch experience is a no-fuss version of its celebrated fine-dining dinner. Tables set under ancient oaks suggest a laid-back approach, yet the linen is classily crisp and white, the cookery flawless and the service impeccable. Enjoy your choice of meal with a glass of red or white. Simple, but not dumbed down.

A visit to Lanzerac – the official home of Pinotage – is not complete without a wine tasting and guided tour of the acclaimed wine cellar. Visitors to the Lanzerac Tasting Room are able to experience our distinguished wines in the comfort of a relaxed setting. Enjoy a guided tasting by one of our knowledgeable Wine Advisor’s in the well-appointed Tasting Room, or on the verandah overlooking the vineyards with breath-taking views of the valley. The Tasting Room is open seven days a week and offers visitors a selection of informative tastings and pairings to both challenge the palate and complement the award-winning wines. Cellar tours run daily at 11h00. Wine experiences available: 1. Premium Tasting - Select 5 wines to taste from the Lanzerac Premium Range 2. Wine & Chocolate Tasting - Enjoy 5 selected Premium wines paired with 5 handcrafted chocolates 3. Heritage Tasting - Taste Lanzerac’s Heritage Range, a collection of 3 flagship wines and the MCC Blanc de Blancs Brut

Delheim's Cellar Stellenbosch, offers internationally acclaimed wines, wine tasting tours, and a restaurant in a beautiful garden.

Warwick has become known as one of the most welcoming destinations with a truly authentic experience & friendly ambience. Open 365 days a year, join us for our famed 'Gourmet Picnic' and a tutored wine tasting. Bring your friends & family for a 'VINEYARD SAFARI' or just laze around on our magnificent lawns under the trees. This kid-friendly historic property will wow you.

Nestled between majestic mountains and overlooking the vineyards of Stellenbosch, Delaire Graff Estate is South Africa's most desirable art, hospitality and wine destination. A magnificent Cape Winelands property, it boasts two outstanding restaurants, a state-of-the-art winery, exclusive lodges, a destination spa and luxury boutiques. Striking Cape Dutch architecture meets African artefacts and styling, with original artworks from Laurence Graff's personal collection on display throughout, representing some of South Africa's finest contemporary artists.

Simonsig Estate upholds the legendary status of pioneering wine excellence shaped by the Malan Family's devotion to quality and innovative winemaking. Named after its dramatic views of the Simonsberg Mountain, the estate is ideally situated in Stellenbosch, South Africa's premier wine region, 45 km east of Cape Town. Tasting & Tours: Taste and learn more about our award winning wines from our knowledgeable team at our tasting room, set amidst the tranquil gardens on the estate. As a founding member of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, Simonsig enjoys widespread popularity and attracts visitors from all over the world. With a cosy fire crackling in the tasting room during winter or flutes of chilled Kaapse Vonkel served on the cool, shady veranda during summer, we welcome our visitors to cellar tour experiences all year round. Opening Hours Tasting and Wine Sales Mon to Fri: 08:30 - 17:00 Saturdays & Public Holidays: 08:30 - 16:00 Sunday: 11:00 - 15:00 Closed on Christmas, New Year's Day & Good Friday Cellar Tours Mon to Fri: 10:00 & 15:00 Saturdays: 10:00 Closed on Sunday, Christmas, New Year's Day & Good Friday

On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, we are a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings lunches on the terrace or picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.

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.