South Africa is well known as one of the world's top wine-producing regions and as a result, it's home to a host of fantastic vineyards that are well worth exploring on a holiday in the country. If you're based in
Cape Town for at least part of your trip, you'll be ideally placed to visit some of the best vineyards in South Africa - and to sample a few of the most delicious tipples of course!
The following are just a few of the wineries that we'd recommend exploring during your stay in South Africa.
Groot Constantia Estate
The Groot Constantia Estate is one of the oldest vineyards in the Constantia Valley, dating back to 1685. It has an illustrious wine-producing history, with the first governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, having been credited with introducing viticulture to this corner of South Africa when he decided to develop the land here.
Aside from the outstanding wines produced on the estate - including Vin de Constance - the other reason to visit here is the beautiful manor house, which is a fantastic example of Cape Dutch architecture.
Solms-Delta Winery
The Solms-Delta Winery is located in the Franschhoek Valley - known for being one of the prettiest wine-producing areas in South Africa. Aside from its picturesque setting, though, there are several things that make the Solms-Delta Winery worth exploring.
Firstly, it has a wonderful restaurant that serves delicious local specialities alongside its extensive collection of wines. Secondly, there are several wine tours on offer here, which are perfect if you want something a little out of the ordinary. Finally, it's also home to its own museum showcasing artefacts that have been uncovered on the estate, as well as housing exhibits about the region's slave heritage.
Spier Cellars
Our final suggestion is Spier Cellars in the
Stellenbosch area, with this particular establishment being fantastic for all kinds of travellers. Couples can have a romantic picnic in the grounds - just visit the farm stalls to pick up some tasty delicacies and a few bottles of wine, then find a place to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Families, meanwhile, will love what's on offer at Spier Cellars, with the estate's lake providing a great place to unwind and relax with the kids. In the summer, pony rides are available for children, too. What's more, there are two restaurants and a pub onsite, so there is no lack of facilities to make your day a special one.
