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A visit
to South Africa without a visit to one of our many wine estates would be
an incomplete South Africa tour. Below are the top 10 wine estates in
South Africa.
Top 10 South African Wine Estates
- Buitenverwachting, Constantia
This farm on the eastern slopes of the Constantiaberg, with views of the
sea and vineyards, once formed part of the Constantia Estate. It has one
of the best restaurants in South Africa, and produces some of the finest
wines from its ultra-modern cellars.
- Vergelegen, Near Somerset
West
A minibus takes you up the hill to the modern gravity feed cellar, with
its sweeping views of the Helderberg and False Bay. The bus then takes you
down again for wine tasting and a ramble round the homestead and gardens,
or lunch at one of two restaurants. This estate's Merlot is one of the
most talked about.
- Neethlingshof Estate, Stellenbosch
A long avenue of pines leads to this rambling, 300-year-old estate which
boasts two restaurants, splendid gardens and a manor house furnished with
antiques. The estate is known for its Noble Late Harvest dessert wine.
- Rustenberg Estate, Stellenbosch
Verdant orchards and cows grazing in meadows make this estate one of the
most beautiful of the traditional wineries. Rustenberg has been bottling
wine since 1892 and is now known for its Brampton label.
- Morgenhof, Stellenbosch
Here you can enjoy a summer lunch under umbrellas and spreading oak trees,
or a light meal indoors next to a roaring fire, or simply wander round the
historic buildings which include a gazebo. The tasting room has a view of
the barrel-aging cellar for white wines. Morgenhof is renowned for its
Merlots and Chardonnays.
- Blaauwklippen, Stellenbosch
Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride round the grounds of this estate which
dates back to a grant received from Simon van der Stel in 1692. After
visiting the farm museum and leather workshop, relax and savour a
coachman's lunch with a bottle of the estate's wine.
- Plaiser De Merle, Simondium
Dating from 1693, when it was called Le Plessis Marie, the renovated and
renamed Plaisir de Merle now has a fine modern cellar, out of which come
notable Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons. Its setting and architecture,
complete with 1764 homestead and millhouse, are stunning.
- Fairview Estate, Paarl
Wine tasting is not the only reason to visit this estate on the slopes of
Paarl Mountain. Try tasting its wide variety of cheeses, too. A fine range
of goat's milk cheese is produced from the milk of a herd of Swiss Saanen
goats.
- Cabriere Estate, Franschhoek
The banks of the Franschhoek River are home to the Pierre Jourdan Cap
Classiques and the homestead, where wines can be tasted. Up the hill from
Franschhoek, overlooked by the Drakenstein mountains, is the Haute
Cabriere Cellar Restaurant, where wines are attached to individual dishes.
- Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Hermanus
This 170-ha estate in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley above Walker Bay is famed
for its superb Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines, wooded in French oak. The
tasting room overlooks hills and a lake with black swans and other bird
life in attendance.
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