Five exquisite wine stays in South Africa
South Africa’s Cape Winelands combine mountain drama, old-world estates and quietly world-class wine. Cape-born Michelin-starred chef Jean Delport explains why this corner of South Africa continues to surprise.
Why visit the Cape Winelands?
The Cape Winelands, a place of stunning mountain scenery, rolling vineyards, elegant country estates, world-class food and some of the best wines you’ve probably never heard of, let alone tasted. The region pairs natural theatre with an ease of living that feels distinctly South African: generous hospitality, serious cooking, and wines of remarkable character.
“It’s so diverse as you go across the Cape – you get such drastically different weather patterns, that different grape varietals just do so well across the whole Cape,” says Michelin-starred chef Jean Delport, who grew up in Blouberg.
“You can get anything from really crisp white wines, like Sauvignon Blancs, really high in acidity, to massively well-aged reds that can really battle hard with some stuff from Bordeaux in France.
“In general, the wine scene in South Africa is off the charts. A lot of it is not cited at all; it’s very much hidden gems everywhere – now we've got massive farms that have international acclaim, but every single farm out there, you’re having something nice.
“It had a bad rep in the 90s when a lot of the cheap stuff was flown over to the UK, but now there's some really special wine makers, and it’s crazy that it hasn't got that recognition that it still should get.”
© La Residence
La Residence – Franschhoek
Set against a backdrop of orchards, vineyards and mountain peaks, the little town of Franschhoek (‘French Corner’) is arguably the prettiest of the Cape Winelands regions. The appearance and atmosphere are that of Provence, and the mood is further reflected by elegant wine estates such as Le Petite Ferme, Chamonix and Mont Rochelle – their names a testament to the early French Huguenot influence in the area.
It’s here, in the heart of the tranquil Franschhoek Valley, that you’ll find La Residence, a place that does nothing in half measures. Positioned in a palatial haven of exquisite natural beauty, it is a property filled with bold colour and plush fabrics, statement antiques and enormous Persian rugs – not for those who prefer monastic restraint – setting the benchmark for luxury in South Africa’s wine country.
After enjoying the stunning views from your luxury suite, let your evening unfold over a wine tasting curated with serious intent by Wayve Kolevsohn, vice chair of the South African Sommeliers Association, inviting guests to explore Franschhoek’s range without leaving the estate. It is indulgent, certainly — but in a valley dedicated to pleasure, entirely fitting.
© Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren – Paarl
Few Cape estates capture the romance of farm life quite like Babylonstoren. Founded in 1692 and reimagined with meticulous care, the property centres around an eight-acre formal garden inspired by historic European kitchen gardens. Paths weave through citrus groves, vegetable beds and fragrant herbs, all feeding kitchens that operate with elegant simplicity.
Found in the Paarl region, this area is known for confident reds — Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage among them — and Babylonstoren’s cellar programme celebrates this heritage with modern polish. A sundowner drive into the Simonsberg hills reveals the farm’s full scale: vineyards fading into mountains, the air scented with fynbos and warm earth.
Accommodation sits within restored Cape Dutch cottages, built on the footprints of the original labourers’ cottages, their clean lines softened by contemporary glass additions that frame the landscape.
© Benguela Cove
Benguela Cove – Hermanus
If you are a slave to the delights of the sea, then Benguela Cove might be the stay for you. The Hemel-en-Aarde valley trades vineyard drama for coastal light, where ocean breezes moderate the climate, lending freshness and precision to wines that feel distinctly maritime. It remains one of the Cape’s quieter success stories.
“Somewhere like Hermanus can still be so underrated,” says Jean. “There are a couple of farms that have made it big globally, but there are farms just next door that haven't got that acclaim, but are doing wine that is just as good or even better.”
Benguela Cove reflects that understated confidence. Found on the Hermanus coastline, spacious villas overlook the Botrivier Lagoon and neighbouring vineyards, offering privacy alongside a cellar known for elegant, cool-climate expressions. Days drift between tastings, coastal walks and seasonal whale watching, Hermanus being one of the world’s finest land-based vantage points. It is wine country with salt in the air.
© Delaire Graff Estate
Delaire Graff Estate – Stellenbosch
The second-oldest settlement in South Africa after Cape Town, Stellenbosch is famous as the capital of the Cape Winelands, home to a staggering 200 wine estates, giving its oak-lined streets and Cape Dutch architecture a quiet authority.
“Stellenbosch is red wine territory,” says Jean. “They make classic French blends, but they can stick to single varietals too. It’s become much more of a trend in South Africa in recent years to really single out those grapes.”
Perched above the Helshoogte Pass, Delaire Graff Estate commands views that seem to suspend the valley below. Owner Laurence Graff created a hilltop sanctuary where art, architecture and wine intersect. Suites are expansive and private, opening onto heated plunge pools that blur the line between indoor and outdoor living.
Two destination restaurants, a world-class spa and a cellar producing polished Bordeaux-style wines complete an experience that feels deliberately elevated. It is a place designed for lingering — where the horizon becomes part of the décor.
© Steenberg Hotel & Spa
Steenberg Hotel & Spa – Constantia
Most visitors to Cape Town never suspect what sits on the cooler, wetter south-eastern slopes of Table Mountain: just a half-hour drive from the city centre will take you to the exclusive suburb of Constantia, home to palatial houses set on sprawling green lawns, imposing ambassadorial residences and expansive vineyards.
“Just outside of central Cape Town by the waterfront, it’s where some of the most iconic wines in South Africa come from,” says Jean. “Their sweet wines date back to the days of Napoleon; it was his favourite. Iconic views, wide-ranging wines and such a nice climate, it’s a big tourist spot. It’s also home to two of my favourite restaurants in South Africa, La Colombe and Beau Constantia.”
Steenberg Hotel & Spa occupies a 17th-century estate that balances heritage with contemporary comfort. Rooms and villas sit among gardens and vines, while guests enjoy access to an 18-hole championship golf course – a rare pleasure in wine country.
Dining spans relaxed refinement at Tryn to vineyard-side tastings at Bistro Sixteen82, housed in a striking modern barn. With Cape Town just half an hour away, Steenberg feels both secluded and connected, a fitting finale to any Winelands journey.
