Wine Estates in Africa

Named after its dramatic views of the Simonsberg Mountain, the estate is ideally situated in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s premier wine region, 45 km east of Cape Town. Celebrating four decades of quality winemaking through innovation, Simonsig Estate, remains as dedicated about wine excellence as they are passionate about the tradition of wine enjoyment.

A legendary landmark, Simonsig is one of the country’s most awarded cellars, fostering acclaimed accomplishments including South Africa’s Top Shiraz, Woman Winemaker of the Year 2005 and four ABSA Top Ten Pinotage triumphs. A visit to this unique working cellar, enhanced by daily wine tastings, its newly launched Cuvée restaurant and true Stellenbosch hospitality, make for an authentic wine experience.

As founder member of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, Simonsig enjoys widespread popularity, receiving thousands of visitors. In winter a cosy fire welcomes you to the tasting room, which is managed by the irrepressible Maureen Basson. A cool, shady veranda and flutes of ice cold Kaapse Vonkel await you in summer. Informative tastings, cellar tours and a ceremonial sabrage make for a memorable visit.

Need to know? Tasting & Wine Sales: Monday to Friday 08h30 to 17h00, Saturdays and Public Holidays 08h30 to 16h00. Cellar tours: Monday to Friday 10h00 & 15h00, Saturdays 10h00. Closed Sunday, Easter Fri, Dec 25 & Jan 1.

Groote Post is a beautiful historic wine farm dating back to 1706, situated in the Darling area on the West Coast. Many of the buildings (including the Manor House and cellar) are National Monuments. Part of a family owned, 4 000 hectare working farm the winery produces award winning wines (Double Gold Veritas for Shiraz 2004 and Gold for Sauvignon Blanc 2007).

The farm incorporates a game camp, offering game drives and a bird hide. The views of the Atlantic Coast and Table Mountain are spectacular. The restaurant (housed in the Manor House) is very popular preparing modern country cuisine daily.

In Spring the farm is covered in wild flowers. Along with these attractions the compelling feature of the farm is its membership of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative with a commitment made to preserving thousands of hectares of endangered fynbos.

Need to know? Opening Hours Monday to Friday: 09h00 - 17h00, Saturday to Sunday: 10h00 - 14h30, Public Holidays: 10h00 - 16h00. Closed: Easter Friday, Christmas and New Years Day. Tasting fee: R15 per person for groups of 10 or more people.

Established by Willem van der Stel in 1700, the proud winemaking traditions of this estate were revived when it was purchased by Dr. Christo Wiese in 1998. Lourensford Wine Estate now features a brand new wine cellar, utilizing technology unique in the Southern Hemisphere, and already pressing more than 1500 tons. Meticulous selection of grapes combined with minimum handling and the use of gravity during vinification form the basis of a singular philosophy of quality.

Lourensford Estate offers a unique sensory and tasting experience. Here you can nibble delicious nougat and eyeball, sniff and sip at the wine tasting and more. There’s also a world class cheesery, coffee roastery, charming restaurant (Oak Tree 021 847 2328) and art gallery. At Lourensford there’s something for every connoisseur!

The Raka brand was named after Piet Dreyer's black fishing vessel. Piet's first love has always been the sea. For some 36 years he braved the storms and challenges of the coast, ever in search of the best catch. It is with this same passion that the Dreyer family now pursue the art of winemaking. With the rich blessing of earth and elements, the help of a dedicated workforce, the enthusiasm of winemaker Josef Dreyer and the advantages of a modern gravity flow cellar, Piet Dreyer produces his award-winning Raka wines.

Need to know? Opening Hours Monday to Friday, 09h00 - 16h30 December to January Saturday 10h00 - 15h00 Out of season please phone ahead

Cool sea breezes and a mountainous microclimate ensure that the grapes ripen slowly which contributes to the smooth quality of the wine. Stanford Hills Winery produces an award winning Pinotage under the label of Jacksons Pinotage. The last 3 vintages have all been awarded 4 stars in the John Platter guide. Grapes are hand picked and selected, to ensure that only the best quality grapes are included in the final product. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay vines were planted, and are expected to produce in 2008.

Doolhof Wine Estate lies in a beautiful valley below the Bainskloof Pass and is surrounded by three dramatic mountain ranges. The award winning wines are available for tasting in the "old wagon house" which has been stylishly restored and captures the essence of understated elegance. Several well marked walks leading past the river, the vineyards, orange groves and fynbos rich areas allow visitors to enjoy magnificent views over the Estate. Light lunches and picnics are available.

Montagu is muscadel country with the town hosting the annual Muscadel Festival. Muscadel is a sweet, full rounded wine with rich fruit flavours that is drunk on crushed ice or at room temperature. It's definitely worth joining the festive townsfolk who celebrate the muscadel tradition with great country hospitality and style.

Montagu Wine Cellar was established in 1941, producing wine of the variety of the day, namely Muscadel. Just grapes of the highest quality with a minimum of 24° B were used. Monis’ marsala and moscato had its origin in this cellar and this special and unique method is still used.

Today the cellar makes dry table wines as well, receiving a number of awards. The cellar has several times been the Champion Co-op Cellar of the region and their red Muscadel was already four times chosen for the Nederburg Wine Auction where it was described as "the best wine for the price anywhere in the world". Unlock the ambience of Montagu with a glass of Montagu Cellar muscadel, put your feet up and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Sip soetes and swirl your glass in Montagu’s oldest winery. Uitvlucht Winery is named after the farm Uitvlucht, on which the picturesque town of Montagu was founded. Uitvlucht also happens to be the oldest winery in Montagu. Uitvlucht Winery features a fine selection of sophisticated wines as well as full-bodied sweet Montagu Muskadel and Port for which Montagu has become renowned across the globe.

Climb aboard the Muscat Express! Experience a two hour scenic tractor tour through this historical town with a glass of Muscadel in hand. View significant scenery and historical buildings while experienced guides tell all the stories. The highlight of the trip is the winetasting in the barrel aging cellar of Uitvlucht Winery. Here you can experience a candle light wine tasting of Montagu’s famous wines.

Need to know? Wine sales and tasting hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8:30am to 1:30pm. Uitvlucht Winery is a member of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative.

Situated in the very heart of the Cape’s winelands in the Stellenboschkloof and flanked by the Bottelary Hills and Papegaaiberg Mountain, Neethlingshof is just outside the town of Stellenbosch and well worth a visit.

Driving up the imposing stone pine avenue, a stunning vista unfolds complete with pristine Cape Dutch buildings, rolling green vineyards and a cosy cellar where the full range of wines may be tasted and purchased.

Need to know? Wine Tasting and Sales: Mon- Fri: 09h00-17h00 Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 10h00-16h00 The estate closes 2hrs later in the summer months. Individual and group tastings are available for a fee. Charge for cellar tours - prior booking is required. For estate tour, contact Katrin Cross on +27 (0)21 883 8988.

Situated on the foothills of Steenberg Mountains after which it is named, this historic estate is the oldest wine farm in the picturesque Constantia Valley, one of South Africa's premier wine growing regions. Steenberg is the southern-most wine farm in the Constantia Valley, the vines benefiting greatly from the cooling influence of summer sea breezes from nearby False Bay.

The 68 hectare vineyards have been planted with a number of cultivars chosen to suit the chemical nature of the soils, microclimate and altitude of the slopes of Steenberg. These include their flagship cultivar Sauvignon Blanc as well as Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz and Nebbiolo.

Their most renowned wines, Sauvignon Blanc Reserve and Catharina’s, a red Bordeaux blend named after the founder of Steenberg, have won many awards under the expertise of winemaker John Loubser. The state-of-the-art cellar has the capacity to produce around 70 000 cases. A major feature of the cellar is the vinotheque, where bottled wines are kept under ideal conditions until ready to be enjoyed.

Need to know? The wine tasting room is open 7 days a week from 10h00 – 16h15 and open to the public. Steenberg Estate is currently building a new tasting center at the cellar door and in the meantime a tasting area is open at the hotel. Opening of the new tasting center is in November 2009.

Originally part of Simon van der Stel’s original grant of Groot Constantia, this award winning wine estate is one of Constantia’s ‘Big Five’. Not only does it produce superb wines but it is also the home of three world-renowned restaurants, a private cricket oval, Spa and a small luxury hotel.

Need to know? Situated at the entrance to the Estate, The Wine Shop offers informal tastings of the Constantia Uitsig Wines throughout the day, Monday to Sunday free of charge. Opening times are Mon – Fri: 09h00 – 17h00 Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 10h00 – 17h0.

Appropriately named Buitenverwachting, which means "Beyond Expectations", this stunning farm is steeped in history and forms part of the original Constantia Estate which was founded by Governor Simon van der Stel. Situated on the east-facing slopes of Constantiaberg, vines are rooted in deep, decomposing granite soils and cooled by temperate sea breezes from the nearby oceans. Buitenverwachting captures its true meaning with a magical blend of the beauty of the Cape, exceptional cuisine and handcrafted wines.

Buitenverwachting’s vines produce internationally acclaimed wines of great complexity with unique aromatic profiles. During the past five years, fifteen wines were selected by international airlines for their first and business class wine lists. Six double gold and twelve gold medals were awarded at the Veritas national Wine Shows. Buitenverwachting achieved the trophy for the best red (1994) and white (1991) wine on the South African Airways wine list. What's more, the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Award was won by former cellarmaster, Jean Daneel for the 1991 Buitenverwachting Merlot.

Overlooking the vineyards and Constantiaberg Mountains, Buitenverwachting Restaurant lives up to the excellence in winemaking and is consistently rated amongst the top ten restaurants in the country. The menu is changed daily as only the finest, fresh produce is procured from far and wide. During the summer months you can indulge in a pre-booked picnic basket served under the old oak trees in the beautiful gardens.

Need to know? Wine tasting and sales from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

One of Constantia's 'Big Five' wine estates, this grand daddy of the Cape Winelands has a fascinating history. At the gate of Klein Constantia Estate is the Kramat (shrine) of Sheik Abdurachman Matebe Shah, linked in oral traditional to the last Sultanate of Malacca. Banished to the Cape after capture by the Dutch in Sumatra in 1661, he and his companion Sheikh Mahmoud, were confined to the forests of Constantia.

Situated on the eastern slopes and foothills of Constantiaberg, Klein Constantia Estate has idyllic conditions for producing grapes with ample fruit flavours. Klein Constantia produces an array of varietally labelled premium wines - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, and small quantities of Semillon, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Blends include flagship red Marlbrook and flagship white Mme Marlbrook. Their most famous and admired wine is the Vin de Constance, a re-creation of the legendary sweet Constantia.

Inspired by Africa, a passion for wine and the ideas and philosophies of the world-renowned architect, Luis Barragan, Mont Destin cellar brings an exciting, innovative and fresh approach to wine and architecture in the Cape Winelands.

On 10 hectares of land owners Samantha and Ernest have planted the classic varieties: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon; and some new and exciting varieties: Grenache, Mourvedré, Cinsaut and Viognier which gives us the opportunity to create the most interesting blends.

Enjoy an unforgettable experience tasting their uniquely hand-crafted wines at Mont Destin wine cellar which is definitely the first of its kind in South Africa.

The heart of Stellenbosch Winelands. Situated on the slopes of the Papegaaiberg, Oude Libertas overlooks the magnificent Stellenbosch mountain range. Here you can experience three centuries of Cape Hospitality under the ancient oak trees with views that stretch over the surrounding scenery and vineyards.

Every Saturday morning the Oude Libertas Organic Farmers Market is hosted where truly organic suppliers and shoppers get together in a laid back atmosphere to do their trading and often share lazy breakfasts while they are here. Facilities include an Amphitheatre, Restaurant, Wine Centre and Conference and Event facilities.

The huge, sprawling Boschendal Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch is one of the oldest wine producers in the New World with a French viticulture heritage dating back to 1685. Experience Boschendal's wide range of exquisite wines by visiting the Wine Tasting Centre, situated in the oldest building on the property. Here you can taste and buy wines under the shade of the huge oak tree. Don’t miss the Exhibition Vineyard and Cellar where you can find out how the Boschendal vineyard operates and explore their state of the art cellar.

The impressive Manor House is definitely worth a visit if you want to see an outstanding example of Cape Dutch architecture. Built in 1812, it is one of the few authentically furnished farmhouses open to the public at the Cape.

And if all that wine tasting and exploring has given you a rumbling tummy, then choose from one of Boschendal's three world renowned dining experiences. Visit the newly renovated Boschendal Restaurant that serves delicious, extensive Cape-French buffet luncheons, seven days a week. If the weather is fine then treat yourself to Le Pique Nique - an elegant French-style picnic beneath the fragrant pines. For light lunches and teas served under shady oak trees head straight to Le Café.

World famous for its wines, Groot Constantia Estate is one of the earliest proclaimed wine farms in the Cape and also a National Monument and prospective UNESCO World Heritage Site. Still producing award-winning wines today, it is a magnificent example of South Africa's heritage. The Groot Constantia Manor House is a museum that epitomises Cape Dutch architecture and a wealthy nineteenth-century homestead. Also worth a visit is the attractive Cloete Wine Cellar which has also been converted into a museum, this time with an emphasis on wine and brandy making in the Cape. Visitors can enjoy strolling through the magnificent grounds or enjoy a meal, picnic or deli food from the two restaurants, Simon's Restaurant and Jonkershuis Restaurant.

Need to know? Situated in the heart of the Constantia Wine Route, it is open 7 days a week, including public holidays. Closed only on Good Friday, Christmas Day and the 1st of January. The wines of the Estate may be tasted and bought every day from 9am to 6pm. The cost is R25 per person which includes 5 wines & international souvenir tasting glass.