PHOTOS John Macgregor (Buitenverwachting), Danie Nel (Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines), Charles Russel (Delaire Graff)
Where to raise a glass in the winelands.
We’ve compiled a selection of some of the most beautiful tasting rooms in the Western Cape to while away the hours come rain or shine. Offering more than just tastings, our top picks provide lean-back luxury. And if you are looking for more stylish establishments, check out these 6 local wine bars.
15 Tasting Rooms for Wine Lovers
Babylonstoren
(Est. 2015)
Interior and architecture: Project-managed by TV3 Architects
Open: The Garden is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Enjoy charcuterie and cheese platters with fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden. Booking is advised for groups of more than 11 people.
Experience… The cost of wine tasting starts at R160 per person for seven wines (Flagship wines can be added to your tasting at an additional cost). An express tasting of three wines is also available at R65 per person. Guests are seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Daily cellar tours at 10 am, 1pm or 4pm, which includes a tasting of five wines at R465 per person. Booking is essential. | babylonstoren.com
Buitenverwachting
(Est. 2016 (main tasting room); 2017 (vintage wine library, Enotecca))
Interior and architecture: Nic Tamlin
Open: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm in season. The main tasting room offers charcuterie platters and quiches; reservation is not required. Beyond requires booking and offers a full restaurant menu.
Experience… A tasting of 5 pre-selected vintages for R100 per person. | buitenverwachting.com
Cavalli
(Est. 2013)
Interior: Cavalli’s owner and managing director Lauren Smith / Architecture: Lauren Smith and Bouwer Architects
Open: Wine tasting on Wednesday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, and for lunch on Sunday.
Experience… Tasting Rom (R175 per person): Taste 6 of Cavalli’s premium wines. | cavalliestate.com
De Toren Private Cellar
(Est. 1994)
Interior: Penrose Interior & Projects
Open: Monday – Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. There are an array of new wine tasting experiences and tours to choose from – Premium Tasting, Luxury Tour & Tasting, and the Icon Tour and Tasting – which cater to all tastes and interest levels, from aspiring connoisseurs to wine aficionados
Experiences… Luxury Tasting (R195 per person): The Premium Tasting allows you to discover the story of De Toren whilst tasting three of the estate’s premium red blends: De Toren Délicate, De Toren Z and De Toren Fusion V.
Icon Tour & Tasting (R950 per person): This experience is hosted by a senior member of the De Toren team and delves into the estate’s unique winemaking philosophy and processes. It is accompanied by an exclusive tasting of all five of De Toren’s iconic wines: De Toren Délicate, De Toren Z, De Toren Fusion V, Book XVII and The Black Lion. Booking is essential. | de-toren.com
Delaire Graff Wine Lounge
(Est. 2009)
Interior: David Collins Studio / Architecture Derick Henstra, DHK
Open: Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 10 am to 6pm, Friday and Sunday from 10 am to 5pm. Snacks are available and booking is not required. Tasting start at R120 per person.
Experience… Grab a map at reception and explore Delaire Graff Estate at your leisure. | delaire.co.za
L’avenir
(Est. 2014)
Interior and architecure: In-house
Open: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Charcuterie and cheese platters are available. No reservation is required, except for the exclusive older vertical tastings.
Experience… The popular carpaccio pairing featuring ostrich, springbok and crocodile. Stay at the four-star lodge. | lavenirestate.co.za
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
(Est. 2016)
Interior: Analjit Singh Architecture: Tomeu Esteva
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Booking is essential.
Experience… Mullineux Single Terroir Tasting (R550 for 6 wines): Taste highly rated terroir-specific wines from the Swartland. Some may be sold out but are still available for tasting should you wish to get your name on an allocation list for future releases. | mlfwines.com
Maison
(Est. 2011)
Interior and architecture: Spaces (the interior design division of Weylandts Home Outfitters, overseen by Chris Weylandt, owner of Maison Estate)
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Deli menu available. Reservations required for large groups.
Experience… Chefs Warehouse at Maison. Booking is essential. It is open Wednesday to Monday for lunch and Wednesday to Saturday for dinner. | maisonestate.com
Rupert & Rothschild
(Est. 1998)
Interior: Christiaan Barnard Interior & Design Stellenbosch / Architecture: Malherbe Rust Architects
Open: Monday to Friday 10 am to 4.30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.
Experience… The Rupert & Rothschild Wine and Food Pairing. Booking is essential. | rupert-rothschildvignerons.com
Newstead
(Est. 2013)
Interior and architecture: Owners Sue and Doug Lund, with assistance from Draftech
Open: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm in season. Tastings don’t require reservations, but lunches do. (They start taking bookings for high season a year in advance.)
Experience… The legendary 11-egg chocolate cake and the double-gold award-winning Rosé and Brut bubbles, which are pre-sold. | newsteadwines.com
Rust En Vrede
(Est. 1985, with a revamp in 2014)
Interior and architecture: In-house (cellar roof designed by Gawie Fagan)
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Experience… The Winemaker’s Lunch, a daily first-come, first-served two option menu to accompany the wines, served between 12 pm and 3 pm in the tasting room. | rustenvrede.com
Saronsberg
(Est. 2004)
Interior: In-house / Architecture: John Doyle
Open Weekdays 8 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 2 pm and Sunday 10 am to 1 pm.
Experience… Taste all 9 wines for R120. Stay over at one of the self-catering cottages. | saronsberg.com
Steenberg
(Est. 2009)
Interior and architecture: Richard Perfect Architects / Architecture Jan Desseyn Architects and Richard Perfect Architects
Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Booking required. Cheese and wine pairings available upon request.
Experience… The Flagship Tasting of the estate’s four flagship wines at R220 per person. | steenbergfarm.com
Springfield
(Est. 2005)
Interior In-house Architecture Christof Albertyn
Open: Weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday and public holidays from 9 am to 3 pm.
Experience… Tastings are R100 per person for any 5 wines. Groups of 8 or more must book. | springfieldestate.com
Waterkloof
(Est. 2009)
Interior Frank Böhm Studio Architecture Castle Rock Design
Open: The Tasting Lounge is open from Wednesday to Sunday between 10 am to 4:30 pm. Booking is essential. The Waterkloof Platter for two has a selection of cured meats, cheeses and preserves.
Experience… Booking a tasting at the estate is essential – a snack menu is available including local cheese and charcuterie, and you can purchase bottles and cases of the wines on offer. | waterkloofwines.co.za
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