Last Update: September 2026
If you’ve been reading Free Two Roam for a while then you’ll know that we both love wine! In fact, we may like it a little too much (especially me, well we all have our flaws!). At home, we visit many wineries, as we’re lucky to live so close to some of the best wineries in Australia.
Unfortunately, when we left Australia to go travelling, it meant giving up on wine as well, at least for a while. We all know that the wine in Asia is terrible (Thailand’s wine wins the award for the worst! What’s with that Mont Claire?) and when wine is available, it’s way overpriced. Who pays $50 for a bottle of Jacobs Creek? Not Australians!
For that reason, I was really looking forward to reaching Cape Town. The wine wasn’t the only reason, but it certainly was a good enough one. Australians believe our wines are the best in the world but as a French-Aussie I think that good wines can be found in many places.
So wine tasting was always going to be high on our list of things to do in Cape Town. We visited Stellenbloch as our first wine tasting destination and we absolutely loved it and planned a return visit. But then we found out about Franschhoek and Constantia. We just had to check them all out! Our time touring the wineries around Cape Town gave us a great reminder of how fantastic wine tasting can be and just how much we missed drinking wine!
Here are our favourite wineries near Cape Town so far (we still have many more to visit, I guess we’ll just have to come back!):
Wineries in Stellenbosch
Spier Wine Farm
This was the first winery we visited and other than being impressed with its size and its beautiful grounds, what really shocked us (in a good way) was the size of the pours.
When our waitress first started pouring, I thought she had forgotten that we were only doing the tasting. Our glass of sparkling wine was pretty much a standard pour. Apparently, it was the palate cleanser!
Hang on there a minute, we come from a country where when wine tasting you barely get enough wine to have a second sip! We were amazed and Simon, the designated driver (yes someone has to do it and if you saw my driving skills you’d understand why it’s him!) looked slightly worried. However, I promised him that he needn’t worry; I had been deprived of wine for so long that I was happy to help him finish his!
Several tasting options are available; check the winery’s website for current prices.
Jordan Wine Estate
Driving to Jordan was as enjoyable as the vineyard itself. The scenery along the way was just amazing. We drove, stopped for photos, drove further and then stopped again. It was spectacular. It was a miracle that we actually got there before closing time! Plus the winery has some pretty incredible views as well, of the nearby mountains, the dam and the vineyard. The wine tasting was quite similar to Spier, with the same generous pours. However, we’d learned our lesson and shared the tasting this time! We also paired our wine with one of their cheese and charcuterie platters. I indulged on the cheeses while Simon devoured the meat. Everyone was happy!
Oldenberg Vineyards
I have never regretted where we were married (in a winery back home) but, oh my, this place was so incredible that for a second, I considered getting married again!
But sadly Oldenberg doesn’t do weddings (I asked!). It was simply the most beautiful winery we’ve ever been to, not just in South Africa but anywhere else. That backdrop is amazing and I could have stayed there forever.
Of course, the wine was amazing too so, all in all, why would you ever leave? They also offer different experiences with their tasting. The wines came with a small cheese and olive platter free of charge; how nice. Quite frankly, they had me at the view but I did love the tasting experience and their wines are definitely top notch.
Tokara Wine Estate
Tokara is only a short drive from Oldenburg and offers some pretty amazing views as well. Although to be fair, I don’t think we visited a single winery around Cape Town that didn’t have great views. The tastings in Tokara were similar, with a few options to chose from. I chose the four wine tasting with two whites and two reds. Simon stuck with the olive oil and balsamic tasting plate. It was also delicious.
Accommodation in Stellenbosch
Luxury: Alluvia Boutique Winery
For a special stay, Alluvia Boutique Winery is set among the vineyards of the beautiful Banhoek Valley, with fantastic mountain views. The property also has a restaurant, wine tasting and spa, making it perfect for a relaxing Winelands escape.
More affordable: Lovane Boutique Wine Estate and Guest House
For a more affordable option, Lovane Boutique Wine Estate and Guest House offers comfortable accommodation on a working wine estate just outside Stellenbosch. Surrounded by vineyards, it’s a lovely choice if you want peaceful surroundings and a proper Winelands atmosphere without the luxury price tag.
Wineries in Constantia
Beau Constantia
After visiting Houts Bay, where we gorged on fish and chips (just as well we had a full stomach!), we headed to Beau Constantia and ended up spending most of our afternoon there. The views were stunning, even from the toilets, (check out the pics!). The wines were actually the best we’d tried in Cape Town and our waitress was so lovely! We both did the four wine tasting. A big mistake for the designated driver again; do we ever learn? NOPE! Well like I said before, the pours were extremely generous, even bigger than Spier. We both looked at each other when she poured the first glass and we knew trouble was coming! Simon told the waitress he was driving and that he needed a smaller pour. She laughed, kept pouring, then came back to my glass and poured even more! No complaint on my part!
Accommodation in Cape Town
Luxury: Atlanticview Cape Town Boutique Hotel
For a special stay, Atlanticview Cape Town Boutique Hotel is tucked into the hills above Camps Bay, with spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding mountains. It’s a beautiful boutique option if you want peace, scenery and easy access to Camps Bay.
More affordable: Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa
For a more affordable option, Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa is in the lively Gardens area, close to the restaurants and bars of Kloof Street. The highlight is its rooftop, with fantastic views towards Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, making it a great-value base for exploring Cape Town.
Wineries in Franschhoek
La Motte
La Motte was a little fancier than the other wineries we visited. Tasting happened inside their stunning, newly refurbished tasting facility. There is no view to the vines outside but you have a view of their working and maturation cellars through large glass panels. There was also the option to taste the premium wines for an additional cost. Near the parking lot, you can see different vines showcasing the various types of grapes that they grow. There were so many different types, including some that we’d never heard of.
Glenwood Vineyards
GlenWood Vineyards is a smaller, family-owned boutique winery surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. We enjoyed our tasting outside on the terrace, and their Chardonnay was our favourite, quite an achievement considering I used to hate Chardonnay!
These days, GlenWood is also home to a sushi restaurant, where you can enjoy freshly prepared sushi alongside their wines. It sounds like a pretty perfect combination for lunch in the Winelands! Booking ahead is recommended, especially if you plan to stay for lunch.
Rickety Bridge Winery
Although we didn’t do the tasting at Rickety Bridge, we had lunch at their Paulina restaurant instead, paired with (you guessed it) wines! The restaurant has an incredible view overlooking the majestic Wemmershoek Mountain range. It’s a great place to stop and eat lunch. The food was lovely, as was the wine.
Accomodation in Franschhoek
Luxury: Mont Rochelle
For a luxurious stay, Mont Rochelle is surrounded by vineyards with spectacular views across the Franschhoek Valley and surrounding mountains. With beautiful rooms, a restaurant, spa and its own winery, it’s an ideal choice for a special occasion.
More affordable: Klein Champagne Estate
For something more affordable, Klein Champagne Estate offers a peaceful stay just outside Franschhoek, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Some rooms enjoy lovely lake and mountain views, making it a great option if you want a countryside setting without paying for one of Franschhoek’s top luxury hotels.
Which region to visit if short on time?
If you only have a few days in Cape Town, you may not be able to visit more than one wine region. Many people struggle to decide between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Having done the two, we personally found Stellenbosch more relaxed and less touristy. Franschhoek seems a little more upmarket and we prefer lower key vineyards. We did enjoy both regions but Stellenbosch was our favourite of the two.
Constantia is super close to town (only a 20-minute drive). If you have just half a day then Constantia is your best bet. You can fit in a couple of wineries and still get the most incredible views and some really good wine.
Does no-one want to drive?
I can’t blame them! Let’s face it, drinking and driving isn’t smart at all. If you do not have a designated driver, there are many tours you can take from the centre of Cape Town that will bring you to the wineries. In Franschhoek, there is even a wine tram that can take you from vineyard to vineyard. This was very cool actually and had we known about it earlier, we would have organised a one night stay in the area to try it out. It’s noted for next time!
Book your tour here:
Cape Winelands FAQs
When is the best time to visit the Cape Winelands?
The Cape Winelands can be visited year-round, but October to April generally offers the warmest, driest weather. January to March is particularly lively during harvest season, while spring brings beautiful green landscapes and wildflowers. Winter is cooler and wetter but can be lovely for cosy cellar-door tastings and long lunches.
How far are the Cape Winelands from Cape Town?
Stellenbosch is around 45 minutes to one hour from Cape Town, while Franschhoek is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours away, depending on traffic. Constantia is much closer and can easily be reached from central Cape Town.
Can you visit the Cape Winelands without a car?
Yes. Guided wine tours and private drivers are popular options and mean nobody has to worry about driving after tasting! The Franschhoek Wine Tram is another great way to visit several wineries in one day.
Do you need to book wine tastings in advance?
Not always, but booking ahead is a good idea, particularly on weekends, during peak season or if you want to have lunch at one of the wineries. Some special tastings and experiences require reservations.
Stellenbosch or Franschhoek – which is better?
Both are beautiful but offer slightly different experiences. Stellenbosch has a huge choice of wineries and a lively historic town, while Franschhoek is smaller, surrounded by spectacular mountains and particularly well known for its food and wine scene. If you have enough time, visit both!
While you’re in South Africa …
Of course, while you’re in South Africa, why not go on a safari. There are so many options to choose from but you can use SafariBookings to discover some great tours. We used it to find and contact tour operators when planning our African itinerary and it was really helpful
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