15 places
Forty kilometres east of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is the heart of South African wine and the easiest to reach. The estates spread over roughly 30 kilometres, close enough that Cape Town works as a base if you would rather not move hotels.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blends and Chenin Blanc are the strengths, with Pinotage — South Africa's own crossing — as the local curiosity worth trying at least once. Mountain slopes on three sides give a range of aspects and altitudes, so the styles vary more than the size of the place suggests.
The town itself is a working university town with Cape Dutch architecture and oak-lined streets, which makes it unusually pleasant to stay in. Many estates serve serious food. Harvest is February to April; the winter months from June are green, wet and much quieter.
15 places
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Beau Joubert Vineyards and Winery
M12-Polkadraai Road
Stellenbosch
7599
South Africa
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Brampton
11 Church Street
Stellenbosch
7600
South Africa
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De Trafford
Mont Fleur Farm
Blaauwklippen Rd
Stellenbosch
7600
South Africa
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DeWaal Wines
Uiterwyk Farm
Stellenboschkloof Rd
Stellenbosch
7604
South Africa
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Dornier Wines
Blaauwklippen Road
Stellenbosch
7600
South Africa
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Eikendal Vineyards
Dennesig
Stellenbosch
7601
South Africa
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Heron Ridge Wines
Winery Road, Helderberg
Somerset West
Western Cape
7130
South Africa
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Lovane Boutique Wine Estate
Polkadraai Road
Stellenbosch
7604
South Africa
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Morgenhof Wine Estate
Klapmuts Road (R44)
Stellenbosch
7600
South Africa
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Mulderbosch Vineyards
Polkadraai Road,Vlottenburg
Stellenbosch
7600
South Africa
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Neil Ellis Wines
R310 Helshoogte Road
Stellenbosch
7599
South Africa
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Saxenburg Wine Farm
Polkadraai Road
Cape Town
Stellenbosch
7579
South Africa
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Stellekaya Winery
11 Distillery Road
Stellenbosch
7600
South Africa
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The Winery of Good Hope
Postnet Suite 124, Private Bag X15
Somerset West
7129
South Africa
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Waterkloof
Sir Lowry's Pass Village Road
Somerset West
7130
South Africa