ADVERTISEMENT | Good food and good wine are as much a part of the Cape region as the penguins from Boulder's Beach and Table Mountain. The Stellenbosch-Franschhoek wine region attracts Capetonians and tourists alike with its wine farms, old towns, and markets. It's all about indulgence here!
There is a big variety of wine farms in the area. To Stellenbosch, you don't go for wine tasting only but also for good food and wonderful accommodations on old Cape Dutch wine estates. Providers like dertour*offer ready-made tours through the wine region as well as other parts of the Western Cape, like the oyster region around Knysna and the ostrich capital Oudtshoorn.
Mind you, you do not always have to go straight to the Garden Route to experience delicious food and the hospitality of the Western Cape. I have listed some of my favorite wine farms around Cape Town for you:
Spier Wine Farm
Only 40 kilometers from Cape Town is one of the most famous wine farms of the Western Cape: The Spier Wine Farm. Spier wines are served on yachts, cruise ships, and gala dinners all over the world. A bottle can cost as much as 50 Euros.
If you want a touch of luxury yourself, look no further! Spier has a huge garden and several restaurants; they offer wine tastings and the possibility to visit the vineyards. My favorite Spier experience though is renting a ready-made picnic basket and finding a nice corner to enjoy your meal and a glass of wine.
Delaire Graff
Luxuriously situated in the middle of the mountains is the Delaire Graff Estate. It offers a fantastic view of Stellenbosch, the mountains, and the valley. This winery is perfect for anyone who wants to indulge in a little decadence. A lodge and spa are also part of the vineyard so that every guest can enjoy a full day of pampering.
Boschendal Wine Estate
Root 44 Markt
I hear some people don't like wine. Or have children. For those, the Root 44 Market in Mooi Berge is a real recommendation! There you can find everything from good food to clothes and souvenirs. There are also strawberry fields right next door for you to pick yourself. This is the perfect place to start or end the day. But be aware that, like so many markets in South Africa, Root 44 closes at 4 pm.