The word ‘best’ is so subjective – the answer depends on so many factors! I suggest going to the search page, entering your preferences (e.g. suitable for young families, award-winning food – whatever you’re looking for), then reading through the farms the website suggests. Hopefully I will have visited and also written a review, which might help narrow down whether it’s the right farm for you.
Such as tricky question as I don’t know what type of wines you like!
Some wine farms only produce wines from their own farm (estate wines), so location is vital – however some also buy in grapes from other areas, to ensure they have a wide selection of wines to offer you. Broadly speaking, the hotter the area, the more ripe the grapes get, so bold fruity wines (both red and white) are more likely to be found in interior areas, away from the coast. Likewise coastal areas are more breezy, being ideal for cooler-climate varietals, often with more minerality.
Take a read of the ‘Regions, Farms & Maps’ page as I have tried to give more specific details here.
You usually get wines at cellar door prices, so yes – it’s marginally cheaper. Wine farms sometimes offer specials too (i.e. buy 6 and pay for 5) or they may offer discounts if you join their wine club, if there is one. Also bear in mind that some wines you can ONLY buy from farms, so worth stocking up on any favourites you find during your visit.
95% of wine farms permit children – but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are family focussed. I have made it clear if only children over a certain age are permitted, plus you can usually tell which farms are the more family-friendly options as they tend to have jungle gyms, kids’ menus and perhaps even kids’ tastings. Refer to the tick boxes for child friendly options and if in doubt, call ahead to check.
There are probably 100 wine farms within an hours’ drive of Cape Town – and if you head two hours away you can probably visit over 150! The closest options are Constantia and Durbanville, however Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Elgin and some in the Swartland, Tulbagh and Darling are also very much within easy reach in a day.
Wine farms have been managing visitation during COVID along similar lines to restaurants. Many will adopt a formal guest register and will take your temperature on arrival- however it seems to depend on the size and set up of the farm. Often if you drive in they will want to see ID and will scan your car’s registration sticker (if you are not from SA they will just take details manually).
You can expect high standards of hygiene and sanitation at wine farms. Staff will always wear masks and you will be expected to sanitise and wear a mask except when seated eating or drinking (small children are not expected to wear masks). Tables should be sufficiently spaced out for social distancing (as best they can) and farms are subject to a max capacity so it should never feel crowded indoors.
No not at all. At an absolute minimum there will be water or juice (tap water is fine to drink, but if you are from another country you may find it an adjustment), however wine farms usually also offer carbonated soft drinks, perhaps tea, coffee, even milkshakes, beers, gins or hand pressed juices!
That said, many are very wine focussed. Tick the ‘non-drinkers’ option in the search field and it will highlight which farms have said they are particularly good for non-drinkers, or call ahead to check.
Many farms are open daily, however Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays see the most closures. COVID has also played havoc on wine farm operating hours and demand, so firstly use the tick boxes in the search field to specify the day you want to visit, and if you want to be 100% sure, double check the farm’s website or better still, pre-book your visit.
Please note many wine farms are closed on religious public holidays too.
99% of wine farms are free, yes. Where there is a charge, I have made this very clear in the Operating Hours section. Any charges are usually nominal and can often be paid by debit or credit card, unless stated.
South Africa has a relatively high number of public holidays – some being religious (i.e. Christmas) and some being non-religious (i.e. Heritage Day). The vast majority of wine farms close on religious public holidays but many stay open for the others.
I have stated in the Operating Hours if the wine farm has publicised their public holiday hours – but these can obviously change at a moment’s notice. I advise to call ahead to check and pre-book where possible. Locals love visiting wine farms on public holidays!
YES! Some wine farms won’t allow you to pre-book and if that’s the case, turn up early or later in the day, as with new COVID restrictions on capacity, wine farms can get very busy over lunchtimes, especially at weekends (weekdays are less of a problem).
If you can pre-book, do. And this applies to wine tasting, meals, tours etc.
At the time of website launch, there are just too many wine farms and too many offer variations, which can be pulled at a moment’s notice to be permanently loaded on the site. Should a wine farm have a specific offer, event or deal, I will endeavour to showcase this on whichwinefarm social media channels however, should I be alerted to it.
In time I do also hope to launch a ‘Markets, Events & Festivals’ section on the website, which will be timed when these launch again (following any favourable change in COVID restrictions on capacity).
I have built a ‘Recommended Touring Partners’ section of the website, which over time will showcase a range of tours, transfer companies and guides who may be able to assist. It will also be worth researching the wine route you are visiting, as often there is a website for this specific region with recommended touring partners.
I have built a ‘Recommended Touring Partners’ section of the website, which over time will showcase a range of tours, transfer companies and guides who may be able to assist. It will also be worth researching the wine route you are visiting, as often there is a website for this specific region with recommended touring partners.
‘Weddings‘, ‘Events & Functions’ and ‘Function Spaces’ are all tick boxes in the whichwinefarm search field dropdown menus. I would use this as a starting point, then do some research on the farms which are matched to you – many farms have dedicated wedding or event coordinators who can help you plan. Do bear in mind COVID restrictions may have an impact on what is available – however wine farms will be able to advise of the latest rules.
These vary hugely. Generally, they are free to join however you have to commit to buying a certain number of wine bottles or cases per year (sometimes in addition to purchases made on the day), in return you receive perks, sometimes discounts and special invitations.
‘Wine Club’ is one of the tick boxes in the whichwinefarm search field dropdown menus. I would use this as a starting point, then do some research on the farms which are matched to you. Alternatively when you visit wine farms, the wine club information is usually presented to you on the menu and you can enquire/join on the day.
Firstly there is just me (Lucy) loading – and I’ve had to contact every farm individually. This takes time! After launch, more farms will be added on a weekly/monthly basis. The wine regions of Constantia, Durbanville, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Darling and Elgin were added first as they are closest to Cape Town and naturally more popular. Other wine regions will follow towards the end of 2021.
That said, a very small number of farms have opted to not to be listed on the site, for various reasons. I have offered everyone a free two month trial, after which a very nominal fee to be listed is payable (which covers the cost of me setting up and running this site).
It’s not for everyone, but I hope in time every wine farm comes on board!
Go to the ‘Art of Winemaking’ page on the website (located under the ‘Useful Resources’ drop down menu) and click on the link for the amazing free ‘Wine Wise’ e-book, written by the knowledgeable Master of Wine (MW) Cassidy Dart and ‘Cape of Good Wine’.
This is a colourful and easy to understand entry level guide explaining much of the stuff you always wanted to know about wine. It includes the history of wine, the basics of the wine industry, grape varieties and wine styles, how wine is made and crucially, how to taste! It’s available in English and Xhosa and also includes a useful wine glossary.
Go to the back of the e-book and there are also some handy sheets which you can print off and take with you to your next tasting, which can help you narrow down flavours, aromas and tasting descriptors.
For more information about the e-book, its authors and their Kunye wine label, please visit www.thewinewise.co.za/
Broadly speaking, no – however a very small number may close for 2-3 weeks in the deepest part of winter for refurbishments or staff holidays. Where known, this will be added to the Operating Hours.
More often, in winter restaurants and tasting rooms simply reduce opening hours, as demand falls. Picnics may stop in April or May and wider menus often change, reflecting what local produce is on offer for that season. Where possible I have made it clear if facilities are only available in summer.
Don’t be put off visiting in winter though, as many wine farms have roaring fires and do their best to make the experience cosy. If you’re visiting in winter, click the tick box “good for a cold winter’s day” and see which wine farms have flagged they are particularly suitable.
I regularly check the content of this site with wine farms however things can and do change – especially with last minute restrictions due to COVID.
Should you notice anything incorrect, please do drop me an email on info@whichwinefarm.co.za and I will rectify it on the website within 48 hours.
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