Everything You Need To Know About Cape Town’s Most Beautiful Wineries

There are few wine regions in the world comparable to those in Cape Town, South Africa. From the views, to the ambiance, to the wine, below are cape town’s most beautiful wineries and everything you need to know about visiting them. 

I’m from California, so I am no stranger to beautiful wineries. Nothing, however, holds a candle to the wineries of Cape Town, South Africa. Known for incredible wine, South Africa is also a stunningly beautiful place. If you’re planning to go wine tasting, this is your guide to Cape Town’s most beautiful wineries.

Cape Town is filled with numerous wineries and regions to explore. Your options are absolutely limitless. With so many great places, it can be hard to decide where to go wine tasting, and what is Cape Town’s most beautiful wineries.

While you can do wine tours, it’s super easy to visit on your own and create a customized wine tasting experience, without a guide. Most wineries are 30 minutes to several hours away from the main city center, so it’s best to hire a driver, or rent a car if someone is willing to drive.

In the two months I spent in Cape Town, a week did not pass without a visit to a winery. Because the vineyards were so massive, there were several wineries that I actually spent an entire afternoon working at, and drinking at. 

From Constantia to Stellenbosch, below are my top 6 favorite, and what I consider Cape Town’s most beautiful wineries. Here is everything you need to know before visiting:

1. Beau Constantia

Views:  

This tops the list of Cape Town’s most beautiful wineries, in my humble opinion. This place is absolutely stunning. Nestled at the top of a massive sprawling, vineyard, Constantia Nek, this winery has some of the best panoramic views around. It’s an incredibly peaceful place that you’ll want to return to as much as possible. 

Ambiance: 

Sleek, modern and fashionable, it’s also very comfortable. The wine room is a bit small, just one square room with all window walls. This keeps the experience intimate and homey.

There is a mid-size outdoor patio, lounge chairs down below, and a private tasting room for large parties. 

You can definitely work here, which I did several times, but it does get crowded so be mindful. I would work outside, and make sure you order both wine and food if you’re going to stay all day. 

Booze + Food:

I thought the wine was great, and incredibly reasonable pricing. You can do the signature tasting for roughly $5 USD, and it includes 7 wines. All of their wines are named after their family members, and they usually tell a cute anecdote. The price of a bottle is less than $20 USD. 

For food, it’s a limited menu but they have some charcuterie boards, of course, and a few other small food items. 

Pro Tip:

Go during the week, and earlier in the day as it gets crowded. I would make a reservation ahead of time, but it’s not impossible to get in without one.

Also, be sure to check out the “loo with a view” for the best bathroom view you’ve ever had. 

Getting There:

At the top of the vineyard, you can take an uber all the way to the entrance, no issue. Timing depends on where you’re coming from and absolutely depending on the time of day. Plan accordingly.

If you’re heading there from Sea Point/Gardens/CBD, it will only take 30 minutes if you’re not going during peak hour. You can also take the wine tram from Cape Town, as Beau is one of the stops.

2. Constantia Glen

Views:

Adjacent to Beau Constantia, the wineries are separately owned and ran by two sisters. They have a sort of friendly competition going, with similar views but very different atmospheres.

Constantia Glen also looks out on sprawling green hills, but lacks the same panoramic view from any seat that Beau provides. Your view greatly depends on where you sit.

Ambiance:

Much larger than Beau, Glen is more of an estate nestled on a hill top then a small tasting room. With several indoor dining areas, and a huge outdoor patio dining area, you have ample space and it’s lavish furnishings. A blend of fancy meets rustic. It’s a great spot for lunch. 

Booze + Food:

They have a full lunch menu and more wine options than Beau, with several different tasting options. We did skip the tasting here, and just got a glass to pair with our meal. The menu has a fresh and health take on the classics, pizza’s, sandwhiches and fresh salads are what you should expect. 

Pro Tip:

Bring sunscreen! The outdoor area is quite sunny and if you want to spend some time here soaking up the tastings, be prepared. The outdoor patio is the best location with the prime views, so you’ll want to sit outside.

Also, time your day right. Food options are limited at many wineries, so fit Glen in when you plan to eat lunch.

Getting There:

Exactly the same instructions as Beau Constantia, as they are located on the same vineyard. While it’s less than a five minute drive between each, you certainly can’t walk between them, so you’ll need to take an uber or car.

3. Cape Point Vineyards

Views: 10/10

This place is absolutely spectacular. Nestled on a huge hill in Noordhoek, you take a car up the hill, and then walk up past the lake to the quaint winery on top.

You can sit outside and enjoy the most spectacular sunset. The Winery is facing a lake, and the ocean, so it’s kind of an unbeatable view. 

Ambiance:

Much more casual than the two above, this little rustic almost farm like house is a great way to spend a few hours. You can take tours of the vineyard and a nature walk, as well as picnic on their lawn with their wine and deli items.

It reminds me almost of being at a really nice park, with wooden picnic tables and lots of grass. 

Booze + Food:

During the winter months, you can pre-order a “picnic basket” with their deli items and wine, or just purchase their wine and enjoy on the gorgeous property.

However, the best time to go is during the summer months (American winter). During the summer, they have a night market with tons of food options.

Pro Tip:

During the summer season, they have a night market every Thursday. It has tons of delicious food stalls, and people. From ice cream, to tacos, to wood fired pizza to shwarma and lamb curry, you have a huge variety for only a few bucks.

Bring cash. Go early (it starts at 3 and goes until sunset). You can snag a prime spot in front of the lake to watch the sunset. 

Getting There:

Like all the wineries, you need a car to get there. This winery is in Noordhoek, so if you’re coming from Cape Point or Camps Bay, it’s not that far.

It’s a windy, scenic coastal road however. There are many amazing stops along the way, so plan accordingly. Otherwise, you can take an uber or taxi easily. 

4. Delaire Graff Estate

Views:

This is one of the most beautiful and luxurious wineries in Stellenbosch. Unlike Cape Town proper, the wineries in Stellenbosch are a bit more hidden, with less mountain views/no ocean views and more traditional vineyard landscapes. Graff, however, has quite the view, complete with ornate leopard statues and beautiful gardens. 

Ambiance:

This place is more of a luxurious Estate meets hotel vibe than a winery. With fancy furniture, a huge reception and lobby, lots of art, and a lovely outdoor patio for tasting, you can spend some time here easily.

The patio is nice and shaded, with huge tables and comfortable chairs. We spent several hours basking in the shade, looking out on the mountain and trying multiple tastings.

Booze and Food:

They have both a full wine menu and food, with several different tastings offered. A bit pricier than the other wineries, a signature tasting is still under $10 USD.

This was one of the only wineries I bought a bottle at- it was so good. I got an amazing Chenin Blanc for less than $20. 

Pro Tip:

The hand towels here are extremely futuristic- they are not mints! They bring them in a little charcoal tray, and you dip the white round bulb into the water. It then expands and transforms into a hand towel. Magic.

Getting There:

Stellenbosch is almost two hours from the city center, depending on what time of day you go. It’s about a $50-$70 Uber. While going to Stellenbosch during the day is an option, I would suggest getting an amazing Airbnb and staying the night.

There are so many wineries in this region not to be missed, so you are better off spending more than one day tasting. You should rent a car if someone’s willing to drive, or hire a driver to take you around.

You can take Ubers there and back, but when you’re actually wine hopping in Stellenbosch, many of the wineries have no service/are hard to hop between and call a car. It’s best to have your own, or a driver. 

5. Tokara

Views:

We had breakfast here and it was a fantastic way to start the day. The outdoor patio looks out on the gorgeous vineyard, and it is filled with unique art. You are right in the mountains, so it’s very peaceful. 

Ambiance:

This is a very stylish winery, with a large, bright interior and plenty of space on the patio, with lots of shade. Funky decor, modern art, a garden, deli and a playground for the kids bring this place home.

Booze + Food:

They have a whole breakfast and lunch menu, and tasting menus. You can definitely spend half a day here working/lounging/drinking. 

Pro Tip:

Go for breakfast! Not many wineries offer full menus, let alone breakfast, but they do. They also have fabulous coffee. They also make their own olive oil, so don’t forget to get some.

Getting There:

Same instructions as above. 

6. Babylonstoren

Views:

You absolutely cannot leave out Babylonstoren in list of Cape Town’s most beautiful wineries. While there aren’t many views within any of the wine rooms or restaurants, the property of Babylonstoren is magnificent and extensive. You even get a map upon arriving.

This winery was fantastic and we spent a good four hours here. There are so many vineyards and gardens to roam through, there’s horses and donkeys in a stable, and the mountains surrounding you. It’s like a maze of hidden treasures. 

Ambiance:

The tasting room is quite large and rustic- glass windows and wood everything. While they just serve different tastings and charcuterie, they do have three restaurants on sight. Not to mention, a market, and a “scent factory” with lots of different artisanal soaps and fragrances.

It’s an all day event to go here. This reminded me a lot of California, with the nature and the stucco buildings. 

Booze + Food:

This will probably be your most extensive food and beverage options than most of the wineries you go to. Purely due to the volume of places to eat and drink available on sight.

It’s not extremely cheap, but it’s certainly a good deal comparatively. This was also some of our most descriptive and in depth tasting experiences, and the products they sold were very unique and locally made. 

Pro Tip:

Most of the food shuts down at 3 pm and doesn’t reopen until evening. Plan your meals accordingly.

Also, plan for some shopping here. There’s a local market with great cheeses, cold cuts, and of course wine. There’s also plenty of hand made goods and crafts. 

Getting There:

See Delaire Graff.