Cape Winelands

The beautiful Cape Winelands produce some of the world’s top wines. A visit to these wine estates is a culinary delight. Venturing inland and upwards from Cape Town you’ll find the Boland, meaning ‘upland’. It’s a superb wine-producing area, and indeed the best known in South Africa. The magnificent mountain ranges around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek provide ideal microclimates for the vines. There’s been colonial settlement here since the latter half of the 17th century, when the Dutch first founded Stellenbosch and the French Huguenots settled in Franschhoek. Both towns pride themselves on their innovative young chefs, many based at wine estates, and the region has become the mainspring of South African cuisine. Along with Paarl, these towns make up the core of the Winelands, but there are many more wine-producing places to explore. Pretty Tulbagh, with its many historical buildings, is known for MCC (Méthode Cap Classique – the local version of Champagne), and Robertson's scattered wineries offer unpretentious, family-friendly places to taste.

Things to do

Golf at Pearl Valley

Enjoy a round of golf at the Pearl Valley Golf Course in the heart of the Cape Winelands framed by majestic views of Simonsberg Mountains. This masterpiece was shaped by the vision of golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his unique touch is evident throughout the course. Officially opened in November 2003 by Nicklaus and South African great, Gary Player, Pearl Valley Golf Estates was named ‘best new golf course of the year’ by Golf Digest magazine in 2005, ranked as the best conditioned golf course in the Western Cape by Golf Digest for 2010/2011/2012/2013/2014 and awarded the Compleat Golfer’s Five Star Experience Award for six consecutive years.

The home of the SA Open for three consecutive years in 2007, 2008 and 2009 provides you with a stern yet enjoyable golfing test. During the 2008 South African Open, 2007 US Masters Champion Trevor Immelman was full of praise saying, “the course is in incredible condition, it really is. That’s the way I expected the course to be, to a high standard, and they have always turned out a fantastic course, for the members day-in day-out. I really feel like these fairways; they are some of the best, if not the best, that I’ve ever played on.”

Pearl Valley has two signature holes, 4th and 13th, both offering majestic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. The 4th hole is as challenging, with limited margin for error as you need to cross the creek three times en route to a tricky green. This par 5 is regularly listed as one of the best par 5’s in South Africa, epitomising the ideals of ‘risk and reward’. The 13th hole is a daunting par 3. As the water cuts from the right and a greenside bunker waits, one is mesmerised by the cautious tee shot. This hole tests both your ball striking and your nerve.

Stellenbosch Tour

Visit the historical Winelands town of Stellenbosch for its unique architecture, art galleries, restaurants and shopping.

Winelands Tour

Fall in love with the beauty of the Cape Winelands on this private tour. Meet the winemaker at a private wine tasting at Delaire Graff Wine Estate or be treated to the two tasting rooms of Antonji Rupert or that of La Motte. Enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting at Waterford as well as viewing their cathedral wine maturation cellar. Experience fine dining at the Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais, voted one of the Top 50 Restaurants in the world. Here Chef Margot Janse's delights one with her renowned "African Surprise Eight Course Tasting Menu". Your tour will be concluded by a walk and interaction with Cheetahs.

Delaire Wine Tasting

Discover a taste of the Cape Winelands, see the passion for producing South Africa’s finest wines and let welcoming sommeliers and wine tutors pour you something delicious to enjoy. Discover the bespoke Wine Lounge and enjoy these award-winning wines in their most opulent setting.

Four Star Hotels

Leeu House

Leeu House, a new family-friendly 12-room boutique hotel in the heart of Franschhoek, is an oasis of comfort and luxury that combines the tranquil feel of a country guesthouse with vibrant village life. All Leeu House guests have full access to the world-class facilities and spectacular grounds at sister property Leeu Estates (opening 2016) a five-minute drive away. We invite you to find out more about this serene destination set in secluded gardens.

De Zalze Lodge

De Zalze Lodge is situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands on the well-known De Zalze Wine Estate and located adjacent to the De Zalze Golf Course. This is an ideal destination for leisure and business travellers alike, as guests are offered 4-star accommodation and the opportunity to enjoy delectable food and world-renowned wines.

La Cotte Farm

La Cotte Farm is uniquely situated a stone’s throw from the charming village of Franschhoek. It offers close proximity to the fun and bustle of the main street with all the quiet, privacy and rural charm of a working wine farm.

Five Star Hotels

La Residence

Nestled in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley and surrounded by majestic mountains, luxury hotel La Residence is in a class of its own. Encircled by vineyards, plum orchards, olive groves and fragrant, manicured gardens, each of La Residence’s uniquely decorated eleven suites and five villas are imbued with a sense of opulent extravagance and orchestrated elegance. Every suite at La Residence offers soaring mountain views with vast bathrooms that open onto spacious balconies from where these immaculate views can be enjoyed.

Delaire Graff

Nestled between majestic mountains and overlooking the vineyards of Stellenbosch, your stay at Delaire Graff will capture that ultimate feeling of escape and a truly sophisticated Winelands experience. The Lodges’ welcoming calm and gentle holistic ethos is to offer guests elegant sanctuary. Enjoy light and airy spaces and spacious interiors, thoughtfully conceived with everything the discerning global traveler could need. This is a haven to relax and unwind in, overlooking breathtaking views. Come to a place where luxury and service are of the utmost importance, where every day is tailored to be a world-class experience.

Le Quartier Français

Le Quartier Français is a luxurious 21-room boutique hotel in Franschhoek village. The sophisticated suites and rooms feature the ultimate in luxury fittings, fabrics and finishes, complemented by artworks by local artists. There are nine en-suite Auberge Rooms, three Grande Rooms, three Petite Garden Suites and two Auberge Suites (with private pools), which open onto a rose-filled central courtyard and swimming pool. There are also four state-of-the-art suites, The Four Quarters, and three-bedroom LQF Villa.

The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel

The Cellars-Hohenort is located in Cape Town's Vineyard, the historical Constantia Valley, with its views of Table Mountain. The Cellars has 51 rooms that boast panoramic views of the iconic mountain and manicured gardens. Rooms range from double rooms to luxury double rooms, suites and the opulent Madiba Villa. Five-Star Relais & Châteaux luxury surrounded by nine acres of perfectly manicured and award-winning gardens, located in Constantia, also known as ‘Cape Town’s Vineyard’ – the historical Constantia Valley, only 15 minutes’ drive from Cape Town’s city center.