Stellenbosch is located 50km, roughly an hour’s drive, outside of Cape Town on the banks of the Eerste River. It has a rich history as the second oldest town in South Africa, founded in 1679, with historical Cape Dutch architecture as a testament to this history.
Today Stellenbosch is internationally renowned for its world-class wine tastings and is especially known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, and as the birthplace of Pinotage. With so much to offer Stellenbosch is a must-see destination for any connoisseur.
However, with 130 vineyards in Stellenbosch, the oldest of which is Rustenburg founded in 1682, deciding which ones to visit for a tasting can be a daunting task. That is why we have put together this list of our picks for the top 4 wine tastings in Stellenbosch in 2022. We hope this will help you find the best tasting experience for you in Stellenbosch.
1. Stark-Condé Wines
Stark-Condé is located in the pristine Jonkershoek valley, with 80% of the estate being untouched. This allows the natural flora to flourish mirroring the rich biodiversity of the Jonkershoek National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its biome of fynbos. This gives this mountainous wine farm one of the most beautiful natural backdrops for wine tastings in Stellenbosch.
While they only started making wine in 2000, their first batch of Cabernet Sauvignon went on to win 5-stars in the Platters Wine Guide. Since then they have expanded their range however, their Cabernet Sauvignon is still highly sought after.
The wine tasting room at Stark-Condé wine farm serves to highlight the surrounding natural beauty. It is built on the dam, with massive glass windows allowing you to enjoy the breathtaking surroundings while enjoying their wine offerings.
Stark-Condé is open Monday-Sunday from 09:00-16:00. Their wine tastings vary in price from R55 for 3 wines to R175 for their “Best of Estate” tasting which includes 5 different wines. This is one of the best wine tastings in Stellenbosch especially if you are a nature lover.
2. Tokara Wine Estate
Of all the wine tastings in Stellenbosch, Tokara wine and olive estate offers the best views of False Bay and Table Mountain. This Estate is nestled on the upper slopes of the Simonsberg mountain, with sweeping views of the valley below. With vineyards, and olive groves covering the area, it is a beautiful and peaceful getaway.
Tokara employs a number of traditional methods combined with cutting-edge technology to produce their award-winning wines. They are renowned for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wines, however, they do produce other varieties under the Tokara label.
For a wine tasting in Stellenbosch, you can’t go wrong at Tokara. Their tasting room has a beautiful contemporary aesthetic, in an architectural masterpiece. There surrounded by artwork like their large naked clock, and cosy by the fire, their enthusiastic and knowledgeable wine ambassadors will guide you through the tastings. The ambassador will teach you all you want to know about their wines.
Tokara wine estate is open Monday-Sunday from 10:00-18:00, with the last tasting starting at 17:30. Their tastings prices range from R100 for the flagship tasting, to R120 for their reserve tasting. Tokara is one of the best wine tastings in Stellenbosch surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains.
3. Waterford Estate
Waterford Estate is a beautifully scenic estate situated in the picturesque Blaauklippen valley. It is a scenic estate with an understated architecture of terracotta and brick, that provides the perfect backdrop for the perfect country escape. Only half of the 120-hectare property is used for planting vineyards, which has helped preserve the natural fauna and flora of the region.
With vines planted over 400 years ago, Waterford Estate has a long history of winemaking. With an extensive range of wines on offer today, they have something that will satisfy anyone amongst their varieties. They also have the fantastic Salt restaurant serving food in the courtyard, should you need something to pair your wine with.
Tastings at the Waterford Estate take place in the courtyard of the estate, which surrounds their beautiful fountain. This shaded area is at the heart of the wine cellar which is built around the courtyard, allowing you to observe the workings of the winery while having a tranquil tasting experience. If you are more adventurous they do also have a safari wine tasting experience which is a three-hour safari drive on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain. Alternatively, you can walk with their porcupine trail wine walk experience.
Waterford Estate is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00-17:00. Their wine tasting experiences vary in price from R110 for their portfolio tasting, R715 for the porcupine trail, to R1600 for the wine drive experience. This is the perfect wine tasting in Stellenbosch for those craving a bit of adventure with their tastings.
4. Lanzerac Wine Estate
Lanzerac was founded in 1692 and is nestled in the foothills of the Jonkershoek valley. The manor is surrounded by sprawling vineyards, with the towering mountains surrounding the valley in the distance. This provides a wonderful natural splendour to this historic and luxurious estate, which also has a hotel, restaurant, and spa on the premises.
With a long history of winemaking, Lanzerac is most famous for bottling the first ever Pinotage in 1961. Today they have a wide variety of wines with single varietals in their premium range, their heritage range which plays tribute to their rich history, and a range of limited-release artisanal wines.
The Lanzerac tasting room is a luxuriously furnished area, that is relaxing and comfortable while it also immerses you in the estate’s rich history. They do also offer the option of tastings on the veranda, which gives you wonderful views of the scenic vineyards and valley. They also offer wonderful wine and chocolate tasting that will excite the tastebuds of any sweet tooth. There are also guided cellar tours allowing you to see a working wine cellar guided by one of the estate’s Wine Advisors.
The Lanzerac tasting room is open Monday-Sunday from 07:00-21:00. With their wine tastings varying in price from R80 for 5 wines from their premium range, R165 for their wine and chocolate tasting, or R175 for their range of 4 Heritage wines. This wine tasting in Stellenbosch is ideal for those who want to experience the history of the region, in the lap of luxury.
These are our top 4 picks for the best wine tastings in Stellenbosh in 2022. We hope this list has helped you find the right one for you. So don’t hesitate to treat your tastebuds to one of these fantastic wine tastings in Stellenbosch.
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