The Cape Winelands, spread primarily over Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, are home to some of the world’s best wine farms offering tastings and restaurants in picturesque settings. These wine farms are not to be missed while in Cape Town, and while it’s possible to drive yourself, joining a tour can be a great way to fully appreciate the Cape’s famous varietals.

We have the inside track on the best wine farms to visit and will showcase them on our tours, but there are also several other wine farms worth adding to your list.

Boschendal Wine Estate

Boschendal is undoubtedly one of the best wine farms in the Cape, boasting not only of producing excellent wines in a historically significant setting but also offering a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Explore the estate’s outer reaches by mountain biking or hiking, take a garden tour or go horse riding. And if you’re visiting during certain months of the year, you can even catch a movie under the stars at their outdoor cinema. While there, don’t miss out on trying their delightful wines and savouring the dishes from their two restaurants.

Werf Farm, Boschendal. Image: Supplied.

Babylonstoren Wine Estate

It’s possible to spend an entire morning at Babylonstoren before making it to one of their restaurants or sample their wines. The sprawling, beautifully manicured gardens and farms are a wonderland to explore on foot. You can stroll past fresh fruit and vegetables, along babbling brooks, and even amid a maze of cacti before settling down to sample their equally enjoyable wine and food at several locations throughout the estate.

Spice Route Destination

Spice Route has earned a name as one of the Winelands’ one-stop destinations. It’s the ultimate location to explore if you’re in a big group with picky eaters and none wine drinkers. The estate is home to Cape Brewing Company, Wilderer Distillery, and a beach bar serving cocktails. Mix that with biltong tasting, pizza, and a variety of restaurants serving different cuisines, even before you’ve considered their popular wines from the Swartland, and you’ll see why it’s often the go-to destination for visitors to the Cape.

Vergelegen Wine Estate

Although many visitors overlook the Winelands of Somerset West, it’s to their detriment. The estates there are as grand as their cousins in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Among the most spectacular of these is Vergelegen, which sports a nature reserve, vast vineyards, and more than a dozen themed gardens to explore. As you’d expect, wine and food (from two restaurants) is also on point and will make a trip here a seriously memorable day out.

Spier Wine Farm

As perhaps South Africa’s most famous wine farm, Spier Wine Farm gets mixed reviews from locals – but there’s no denying that they make solid wines and have crafted the guest experience to perfection to make for a great day out. There are at least three dining options, including picnics under the trees, and if you’re up for a more active day, you can hop on a Segway and tour this incredible location.

Wine tasting at Spier. Image: Supplied.

Lourensford Wine Estate

Lourensford Wine Estate is another Somerset West wine farm to add to your list. It’s set against the epic Helderberg Mountains and is big enough to justify a safari-style driving experience to transfer you between the various highlights. Aside from the vineyards home to nine varietals, there’s also a tasting room that offers pairings with chocolate and Turkish delight, a craft brewery, and even a vodka distillery.