Five of the best vineyards in the Western Cape

From renting a thatched cottage overlooking the vines to wine tastings against the backdrop of mountains, here are five of the best vineyards in the Western Cape.

Babylonstoren

First established in 1692, this vineyard stands as one of the oldest Dutch-owned farms in the Cape. If you are a foodie, you will certainly enjoy Babylonstoren Garden, a restaurant located right in the middle of the farm.

The wine cellar offers the opportunity to taste, for free, some of the farm’s first vintages. Some varieties you should definitely try include Rose, Chenin Blanc, a 2012 Chardonnay, and a careful selection of other delectable offerings.

Touring the #Babylonstoren gardens and everything is �� & ��

A post shared by Ruth Cooper (@remcoopkins) on Jun 17, 2016 at 2:15am PDT

La Motte

Set in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, La Motte is host to some of the best wines in South Africa, which are also internationally recognised for their excellent quality.

Wine tasting is a long-standing tradition at the farm and you get to do it in a calm, relaxed setting, while a team of knowledgeable, friendly staff takes care of your needs. The farm is widely popular for its Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Sauvignon Blanc, which merge well with delicious meals straight from the in-house restaurant.

Sunset at La Motte Wine Estate, Franschhoek. There's a speed bump there, don't get too distracted by the sunset�� @lamottewine #skyporn #sunsetsniper #skylovers #sunrise_and_sunsets #sunsets #sunset_hub #sunsetlovers #instasunsets #all_sunsets #sunsethunter #sunset_madness #sunset_stream #sunsetporn #irox_skyline #sunset_pics #scenicsunset #world_bestsky #sunset_lovee #sky_perfection #twilightscapes #igs_africa #wineestate #hdr #hdr_and_sunsets #hdr_edits #lamotte #capewineestate #franschhoek #hdr_lovers #vineyards

A post shared by Bruce #���������� (@bhbrockett) on Apr 10, 2017 at 7:59pm PDT

Rust en Vrede

The name “Rust en Vrede” means “Rest and Peace”, which is exactly what you get once you step into the vineyard’s restaurant.

Located a few kilometres from Stellenbosch, the farm has for 300 years been producing a wide range of reds: full-bodied Shiraz, Merlots, and Cabernets. Among its ardent fans was president Nelson Mandela who had the farm’s wines served during a Nobel Peace Prize dinner.

One of those days...

A post shared by Rust en Vrede Wine Estate (@rustenvredeestate) on Apr 13, 2017 at 1:25am PDT

Boschendal

With more than 300 years of wine experience, the 2000-hectare Boschendal farm is a is firmly holding onto its place as one of the grandfathers of the winemaking industry locally.

The farm has a small wine tasting room that offers visitors a taste of beautifully balanced whites, reds and Methode Cap Classiques. Top, middle, and entry-level wines are up for sampling – but make sure you have a taste of the ripe, rich Reserve Shiraz.

#boschendal #southafrica #franschhoek #photography #wine #manor #travelgram #travel #westerncape

A post shared by Pierrot Damen (@pb2k) on Apr 12, 2017 at 7:21am PDT

Steenberg Vineyards

Set in the beautiful canvas that is Constantia, this vineyard offers various wine tasting options that include the classics like Klein Steenberg Rose, Echo Red Blend, and Steenberg Cabernet Sauvignon.

You can choose the wine cheese combination which includes the likes of Semillon and a 12-month-old gruyere. For the ultimate indulgence seekers, try out the vineyard’s Ultra-Premium Range.

#cheers #wineestate #steenberg #theseviews ��

A post shared by °♡°Laura°♡° (@laurafriedmann) on Apr 12, 2017 at 4:15am PDT

South Africa is the ninth largest wine producer in the world. So, whenever you make a trip, make sure to stop at any of the five vineyards above for a wine tasting experience like no other. All you need is a reliable car (Car hire South Africa is cheap and easy if you don’t have wheels), good company, and you’re ready to explore.