Where to eat, play, and stay in the Cape Winelands

From the golden beaches and imposing mountains to the abundance of urban wildlife and pleasant, Mediterranean-style climate, there are many glorious reasons to visit Cape Town, South Africa. For oenophiles, however, wine—and, more specifically, wine tasting—tops the list. Located just outside Cape Town in the Western Cape, the Cape Winelands region is home to some of the most celebrated wineries in the world, making it a prime vacation spot.

Below, we share our recommendations for when to go, what to drink, and where to stay for the perfect trip to the Cape Winelands.

While the Cape Winelands are a year-round destination, the region is most enjoyable from September to April, when the weather is warm and dry—and most new vintages are released. However, November to February is the peak summer season, so if you want to avoid crowds, plan accordingly. If you’re more interested in grape harvesting, visit in early- to mid-January at the start of the harvest season.

Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, and Paarl are the three main towns of the Winelands. Together, they form a small triangle that’s home to some of South Africa’s most notable wineries, all just an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Many vineyards offer guided tours and tastings, including both smaller boutique wineries and sprawling estates. A great way to experience several in one visit—and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the process—is to take the hop-on, hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram, which offers eight different routes with stops at top spots like Grande Provence, Atlas Swift, Allée Bleue, and more.

If you’re craving some good food with your wine, spend the day in historic Stellenbosch. The biggest and busiest of the three towns, it’s a culinary hub, with more than 150 wine estates and excellent restaurants. For an interesting combination of award-winning wines, brandy, and olive oil as well as a stellar restaurant and art gallery, Tokara Wine Estate aims to please. Lanzerac Wine Estate is well known for its pinotage, acclaimed wine cellar and tastings paired with handcrafted chocolate. In Franschhoek, experience rural farm lifestyle and top notch wines at Boschendal, one of the oldest South Africa’s oldest farms and now a cherished Cape Winelands icon. At Le Petite Ferme, the small-batch wine is accompanied by stellar views of the valley and surrounding mountains. For spicy, full-bodied red wines and crisp whites, try the Paarl Wine Route.

While you’ll find all the big-name reds in the Cape Winelands (including excellent cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and shiraz), you should focus your tastings on pinotage, the only varietal that’s unique to South Africa. A hybrid of pinot noir and cinsault, pinotage is bold and complex, with a deep red color. In addition to Lanzerac Wine Estate mentioned above, L’Avenir Estate is also celebrated for its pinotage wines, which exhibit a fine balance between fruit and spiciness.

In the white category, there’s Methode Cap Classique (MCC), a South African sparkling wine produced in the traditional Champagne method. Offering great depth of flavors thanks to its terroir and grape varieties—think chenin blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier—MCC wines are worth seeking out, offering champagne tastes at, more often than often, wallet-friendly prices. Villiera Wines offers a number of Cap Classique sparkling wines, including an elegant rosé brut made with a blend of pinot noir, chardonnay, pinotage, and pinot meunier varietals.

Located in the heart of picture-perfect Franschhoek, Leeu House offers luxurious accommodations in a 19th-century manor house surrounded by lush gardens. In Stellenbosch, the intimate L’Avenir Country Lodge is set on a working wine estate in the valley below the Simonsberg Mountains and features an infinity pool overlooking a lake. If you’d rather channel a bygone era of gracious living, try the Grand Roche Hotel in Paarl, known for its plush suites, beautiful gardens, and world-class dining.