Stellenbosch Wine Estates and Historic Town Walk
Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Depart from Cape Town after pickup from your hotel and travel east to the famous town of Stellenbosch, the second-oldest European settlement after Cape Town. Predominantly an Afrikaans-speaking town, Stellenbosch boasts several significant Dutch architectural designs, museums, and more than 100 wine farms. Here, you will visit two vineyards for wine tasting and cheese tastings. Afterwards, take part in a cellar tour and continue your Cape Winelands experience with a self-guided walk through the streets of Stellenbosch, browsing various boutiques.
Spier Wine Farm, Annandale Road - Visit the archetypal Stellenbosch wine farm, with age-old trees, sprawling vineyards, and a pretty river, known for its focus on ethical farming and creativity. Spier offers six wine ranges, including organic, vegan, and Cap Classique selections. Enjoy one of three tastings in the Tasting Room beside the dam, either under the iconic Heath Nash-designed wine-bottle chandelier or on the verandah, with platters or a chocolate pairing if you like. The Spier Hotel also has a Wine Bar. For food, there are famous pastéis de nata and hearty meals at Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery, grab-and-go picnic fare at the Farm Café or pre-booked baskets for the new riverside area surrounded by boulders and the Eerste River, as well as à la carte seasonal dishes at the hotel restaurant. Until March 11, Friday live music and picnic Sunset Sessions take place on the Werf. You can also explore the farm by segway or through four themed self-guided walks. Spier is home to one of the largest collections of contemporary art in South Africa.
Hazendal Wine Estate - Continue to Hazendal Wine Estate on Bottelary Road, one of the oldest estates in the Bottelary Hills. Hazendal has a long tradition of winemaking, producing wines that express the coastal terroir of this unique corner of South Africa's Winelands. Its two ranges, Hazendal and Christoffel Hazenwinkel, include reds, whites, MCC, and a Spanish carignan. The plush Wine Lounge, set in the old cellar, offers three tastings with cheese and charcuterie platters, or you can elevate the experience with a Sensory Pairing Experience in the Wine Library. Dining options include comfort classics and picnic fare at Babushka Deli, flame-grilled favourites and beer-glazed eisbein at Pivnushka Beer Garden, a one-of-a-kind high tea in the manor house Tea Room, and a three-course dinner during the monthly Jazz Club events.
Haskell Vineyards - End with a visit to Haskell Vineyards on Annandale Road in Die Boord, Stellenbosch. Set on the serene slopes of the Helderberg, this beautiful estate is dedicated to harnessing nature's bounty with care and respect. The wines come from two small ranges, Haskell and Dombeya, with Shiraz being especially notable. There are two tasting options, as well as a food-and-wine pairing featuring small bites from the current restaurant menu. A cheese and charcuterie platter is also available. For food, enjoy bold fusion flavours at Longtable Restaurant with exquisite views, plus sourdough pizza and wine or a picnic on the lawns on summer weekends.
