As someone that’s spent way too much time in South Africa’s beautiful wine country, I still can’t get enough of it. Stellenbosch, the jewel of the Western Cape’s wine regions, is still my favorite region that is unparalled for its drop dead gorgeous views, stunning estates, mouth watering food, and of course world class wines.
South Africa is truly one of a kind when it comes to wine tasting and I have many many experiences to back up my claim. After visiting wine regions all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America, I think the total package is unmatched in South Africa. If you’re planning a visit to Stellenbosch and the rest of the wine country, this list will help you plan your visits! I’ve been to probably 50+ wine farms in South Africa at this point so this list narrows down my absolute favorite properties in Stellenbosch!
Oldenburg Vineyards
My absolute favorite wine farm in Stellenbosch when it comes to the wine is probably Oldenburg. Located in the Banhoek, Oldenburg has a stunning estate with some of the most spectacular views in Stellenbosch. From their tasting room, you have dead on views of the Hottentots mountain range which are the most beautiful mountains in my opinion, reminding me of the jagged peaks of the Dolomites.
As for the wine tasting, Oldenburg has by far the most eluxurious and premium wine tasting I’ve done in all my years visiting Stellenbosch. At R400 their flagship wine tasting is the most expensive but also the most premium wine tasting offered. For this price, you’ll get six glasses of generously poured and dfantastic wines. You also get a delicious cheeseboard that you can refill on demand. The staff explain the wines beautifully crafting a story of the wine farm, and how everything fits in place.
The wine tasting here takes a solid 2 hours so do not rush yourself out of this one. It’s well worth the experience. Reservations are a must as they do not offer much seating space.
Location: Stellenbosch (Banhoek Valley)
Restaurant on site: No restaurant on site. However, every wine tasting comes with a delicious cheese platter that can be refilled for free.
Hotel on site: No
Prices for tastings: R400 – R800
Who should visit: For me, Oldenburg is the overall best wine farm in Stellenbosch. From their superb wine tasting experience to its absolutely incredible views overlooking the mountains, you can’t have a more quintessential experience than with Oldenburg.
Rainbow’s End
Located just a few kilomgers from Oldenbunrg is Rainbow’s End, another one of my favorites. It’s located in the same stunning part of the Banhoek Valley but with higher elevation than Oldeburg. You get the same out of this world view as Oldenburg but from a higher angle. Rainbow’s End is much more casual than Oldenburg and you can have wine tastings here for R100 – R150 or simply enjoy a glass while soaking in the views.
Rainbow’s End does not allow reservations but I had no problems walking in and getting a table on the few visits I had.
Location: Stellenbosch (Banhoek Valley)
Restaurant on site: Multiple restaurants are available for Delaire. Their estate restaurant offers sweeping views of the valley and is perfect for a long lunch experience. Hoseki is their other incredible restaurant which is Japanese fusion.
Hotel on site: Yes
Prices for tastings: R100 – R250
Who should visit: Delaire Graff is welcome to everyone but definitely for those that want the premium and luxury experience. The estate oozes luxury and sophistication with spectacular views.
Morgenstern
One of the first wine farms I visited in my wine tasting career was MOrgenstern so it still holds a special place in my heart I went to their beautiful property wioverlooking the Stellenbosch mountain range. I enjoyed a delicious wine pairing of their best wine and their famous olive oil. This is one of the only peroprerties in the Cape that produces olive oil and they just happen to offer an olive oil tasting alongside their wine tasting.
I can’t think of two things I like more than good wine and good olive oil. Morgenstern has multiple tiers of tasting but undoubtedly you’ll want to do one of their olive and wine tastings which combine 3-5 wines, 3-5 olive oils, bread, and olives.
Next door to Morgenstern is Vergelegen which is another beautiful wine estate with amazing food.
Location: Stellenbosch (Banhoek Valley)
Restaurant on site: Multiple restaurants are available for Delaire. Their estate restaurant offers sweeping views of the valley and is perfect for a long lunch experience. Hoseki is their other incredible restaurant which is Japanese fusion.
Hotel on site: Yes
Prices for tastings: R100 – R250
Who should visit: Delaire Graff is welcome to everyone but definitely for those that want the premium and luxury experience. The estate oozes luxury and sophistication with spectacular views.
Glenelly
Glenelly is one of my favorite wine farms for a picture perfect lunch with one of the best restaurants in the wine country with their Vine Bistro. The wine farm is located just outside of Stellenbosch town and is at the base of the Banhoek valley and offers views on all sides of the property.
Glenelly has their beautiful Vine bistro restaurant on the first floor and the tasting room on the second floor. Both areas offer panoramic views overlooking their vines and the mountains. I’m a big fan of their chardonnays which have that vintage oaky and buttery flavor which somehow has gone out of style (but I still love it).
The restaurant is also fabulous with a rotating menu depending on the season. I really love their use of indoor and outdoor space at this restaurant allowing for incredible views without being too noisy.
Location: Stellenbosch (Banhoek Valley)
Restaurant on site: Multiple restaurants are available for Delaire. Their estate restaurant offers sweeping views of the valley and is perfect for a long lunch experience. Hoseki is their other incredible restaurant which is Japanese fusion.
Hotel on site: Yes
Prices for tastings: R100 – R250
Who should visit: Delaire Graff is welcome to everyone but definitely for those that want the premium and luxury experience. The estate oozes luxury and sophistication with spectacular views.
Delaire Graff
Delaire Graff is probably the most popular and most internationally renowned wine farm in South Africa. It’s property is home to one of the largest estates that oozes modern luxury. As you walk through the property, you’ll come across numerous sculptures and art work that blends in perfectly with its interior. Delaire Graff belongs to the renowned Graff Diamonds company and you’ll find a jewelry shop on site selling diamond rings that are too expensive for anyone I know! Delaire also has a 5* hotel on the premise that is home to perhaps the most expensive rooms in the entire wine country.
Delaire Graff has absolutely stunning views overlooking the Banhoek Valley and sits directly in front of the iconic Simonsberg Nature Reserve. They have an area dedicated to wine tasting with nice views and tastings start at R120 or so. Make sure to try their Botmaskop which is a Bourdeaux blend with aromas of dark berry, fruit, spice and cassis.
The best views of Delaire Graff are unfortunately away from their wine tasting area but at their main restaurant. The restaurant used to be more affordable but has since taken on a much more premium pricing model with a two course meal setting you back almost R1,000. They do have a small restaurant to the side of their main one that sells wood-fired pizza for a much more reasonable price however.
Location: Stellenbosch (Banhoek Valley)
Restaurant on site: Multiple restaurants are available for Delaire. Their estate restaurant offers sweeping views of the valley and is perfect for a long lunch experience. Hoseki is their other incredible restaurant which is Japanese fusion.
Hotel on site: Yes
Prices for tastings: R100 – R250
Who should visit: Delaire Graff is welcome to everyone but definitely for those that want the premium and luxury experience. The estate oozes luxury and sophistication with spectacular views.
Stark-Conde
Stark Conde is is a stunning boutique winery located in the heart of the stunning Jonkershoek Valley. It’s one of the few wine farms that offer breakfast and is my favorite wine farm for just that. The views from the terrace overlooking the mountains as you sip on your flat white and avo toast is absolute bliss.
For those that do not care abotu breakfast, their tasting room is in the middle of the property’s pond and is surrounded by views on all sides. I’ve not had their wine unfortunately as I’m too old for mimosas at breakfast (okay not really) but I’ll be back for some bubbly in the morning!
Location: Stellenbosch
Restaurant on site: Multiple restaurants are available for Delaire. Their estate restaurant offers sweeping views of the valley and is perfect for a long lunch experience. Hoseki is their other incredible restaurant which is Japanese fusion.
Hotel on site: Yes
Prices for tastings: R100 – R250
Who should visit: Delaire Graff is welcome to everyone but definitely for those that want the premium and luxury experience. The estate oozes luxury and sophistication with spectacular views.
Kanonkop
Kanonkop is without a doubt the wine farm for wine lovers. nestled on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains in Stellenbosch, South Africa, is a fourth-generation family-owned winery renowned for its premium red wines. Established in 1973, the estate has become a benchmark for South African winemaking, particularly celebrated for its Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals.
The estate spans 95 hectares of vineyards planted on ancient decomposed granite soils, benefiting from the cool Atlantic breezes that contribute to the unique terroir. Kanonkop produces two main wine ranges: the Kadette range, known for its fruit-forward style suitable for early consumption, and the Estate range, crafted from older vineyards for complexity and aging potential.
Kanonkop has garnered international acclaim, notably being awarded the Red Wine Producer of the Year at the 2022 International Wine and Spirits Competition. In 2024, it was ranked #12 in Drinks International’s World’s Most Admired Wine Brands, the highest for any African winery.
The estate is also committed to sustainability, with certifications from Sustainable Wine South Africa and the Wine and Agricultural Trading Association. Initiatives include a solar power project supplying nearly half of the estate’s energy needs and the use of plant-based fining agents, making their wines suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The wine tasting experience here is next level with the staff being some of the most knowledgeable and in tuned I’ve ever come across. They really explain their wines well and the wine of course is on another level. While they don’t have the same breathtaking views that many of the others on thist list are famous for, their cellar tasting room is stunning and you’ll quickly be immersed into the wine tasting experience.
Location: Stellenbosch
Restaurant on site: No restaurants on site but options for charcuterie boards.
Hotel on site: No
Prices for tastings: R100 – R500 depending on the tasting
Who should visit: Wine lovers and afficianados. Kanonkop is world renowned for their pinotage and they regularly win awards. This is for the serious wine drinkers that want to have a great wine tasting experience.
Bartinney
Bartinney wine farm is located in the Banhoek Valley on the main road just before you turn into the road that leads to Oldenburg and Rainbow’s End. Bartinney wine estate offers one of the most stunning views in Stellenbosch. Similar to Delaire Graff’s view, Bartinney is slightly closer to the mountains and offers more stunning views from tasting room.
While the estate is not as big or as modern as others, the two level space is perfect to appreciate wines with the most beautiful views. Bartinney has indoor and outdoor seating, both of which are surrounded by its iconic views.
The wine tasting prices range from R75 to R150 depending on the package you get. I had the tram tasting (Bartinney is one of the stops on the wine tram) which included a Cap Classique, white, and red for R75. It’s the perfect combination and amount of wine for me with a price that can’t be beat.
Location: Stellenbosch (Banhoek Valley)
Restaurant on site: Multiple restaurants are available for Delaire. Their estate restaurant offers sweeping views of the valley and is perfect for a long lunch experience. Hoseki is their other incredible restaurant which is Japanese fusion.
Hotel on site: Yes
Prices for tastings: R100 – R250
Who should visit: Delaire Graff is welcome to everyone but definitely for those that want the premium and luxury experience. The estate oozes luxury and sophistication with spectacular views.
Waterkloof
Waterkloof, while not technically in Stellenbosch, is nearby in Somerset West. This is one of my favorite properties with one of the best restaurants in Stellenbosch, Chorus. The views from the ultra modern estate are all encompassing with vineyards all around the property, mountain views, and ocean views. It’s a one of a kind property that really wows you from all angles.
I have been here for a wine tasting as well as lunch at their restaurant. Both experiences have been top notch as the views.
Location: Somerset West
Restaurant on site: Home to the famous fine dining restaurant Chorus. Multiple courses with the most stunning views for R1,000 per person
Hotel on site: No
Prices for tastings: R100 – R200
Who should visit: Waterkloof is perfect for those that love modern architecture with some of the best views in the wine country. This is a great place to bring someone from out of town to impress upon them the beauty of the Cape wine region.
Uva Mira
Uva Mira is a boutique estate nestled at an impressive 620 meters above sea level, where quality clearly takes precedence over volume. Winemaker Christiaan Coetzee goes the extra mile, traveling internationally each year to personally select premium French oak barrels, while also embracing cutting-edge techniques to push the boundaries of his craft.
The wines from Uva Mira are entered only in international competitions so it can compete with the best the world has to offer ensuring their commitment to premium quality. As Uva Mira is located in one of the highest regions of the wine region, the temperatures and wind ensure the soil produces some of the most balanced and delicate red wines which contrast the usual bolder reds that Stellenbosch is known for.
The tasting room is in a beautiful estate at the base of the mountains. As you look up, you’ll see nothing but vines that lead to the dramatic mountains the Western Cape is known for. Pair it with their charcuterie board, and you’re in wine heaven.
Location: Stellenbosch
Restaurant on site: No restaurant on site but charcuterie board options are available
Hotel on site: No
Prices for tastings: R100 – R200
Who should visit: Uva Mira is perfect for those that want an intimate setting overlooking endless vineyards and mountains (sound familiar?).
Best time to visit Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch and the nearby wine regions of Cape Town are an all year round destination. Wine production is a year round process after all so the estates are also open year round for beautiful wine tastings. The climate of the Western Cape is such that it enjoys mild weather even in the winters making it accessible all year round.
Of course, some parts of the year are better than others. Like with any wine region, the best time to go are when the grapes are grown which are the warmer months. Vineyard views without grapes is not as beautiful in my opinion!
Therefore, the months of November to March are in my opinion the most beautiful times to visit Stellenbosch. The vines are at their most lush and the weather is perfect during this time. Prices for accommodations will be higher but cost of wine farms and restaurants remain the same year round.
Le gopia ashwin bhoyrul ene mari kouyon ki finn rentre mk avec full backing.
Great article Johnny, bookmarked all your recommendations on my Google Maps Capetown list 🙂
Your blog is full of great recommendations for South Africa, hope to enjoy the country for the 1st time later this year!
(P.S.: There seems to be some mix-up on the “Who should visit” section as Delaire Graff features multiple times for different wineries)