Located in the heart of South Africa’s beautiful Western Cape, the mighty Stellenbosch and Franschhoek estates and the lesser-known boutique vineyards scattered across the valley, are a paradise for wine lovers. Follow our guide to the must-visit wineries, the most tantalising wine tasting and culinary experiences and the most impressive luxury villas to rent in the Cape Winelands.

The Cape Winelands
Hidden Valley Wine Farm: The Cape Winelands

On the grapevines

With its stunning mountain landscapes, historic vineyards, and unique terroir, the Cape Winelands offer a sensory journey like no other.

Steeped in over three centuries of winemaking history, the region is home to a diverse range of varietals, including bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, as well as crisp whites like Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Here, you can immerse yourself in the ultimate wine tour experience visiting the many leading estates and the smaller producers of artisanal and biodynamic wines, and enjoy guided tastings, cellar tours, and the chance to meet passionate winemakers dedicated to their craft. 

And with great wine, it goes without saying you’ll expect equally great food. The Cape Winelands doesn’t disappoint: this region also serves up a truly exceptional feast of culinary experiences. Many of the top wine estates are home to award-winning fine dining and farm-to-table restaurants and many also provide gourmet picnics

Our luxury villas to rent in the Cape Winelands are situated between the West and Overberg coasts, around 40 kms east of Cape Town, in and around the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek winelands.

Wine lover's guide to the Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch: The Cape Winelands

Stellenbosch

Located just 50 km east of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s oldest and most renowned wine regions. This historic town with its oak-lined streets and Cape Dutch architecture is also a vibrant hub, famous for its blend of rich cultural heritage and modern winemaking innovation. The region is home to more than 150 vineyards, ranging from well-known estates like Spier and Lanzerac to boutique wineries such as Rust en Vrede.

Stellenbosch is particularly celebrated for its full-bodied reds, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage, which thrive in its varied soils and microclimates. There’s an intoxicating choice of Stellenbosch wine tasting tours: many of the vineyards in scenic Stellenbosch Wine Route offer first-class wine-tasting experiences, cellar tours, and fine dining venues, making it a magical destination for wine lovers.

Franschhoek, the Cape Winelands
Franschhoek: The Cape Winelands

Franschhoek

Franschhoek, which means “French Corner,” is one of the most beautiful wine villages in the world and is arguably the premier wine and food region of South Africa. Situated around 75 km from Cape Town, it’s famous for its French Huguenot heritage and picturesque architecture and landscapes, surrounded by dramatic mountains and rolling vineyards.

The Franschhoek winelands are celebrated for premium wines including crisp Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, and rich Syrahs. Notable wineries include La Motte, Haute Cabrière, and Babylonstoren, each offering unique tasting experiences in beautiful settings. Franschhoek is also famed for its culinary scene, with some of the country’s best restaurants serving gourmet meals paired with local wines

Wine Tram: The Cape WinelandsWine Tram: The Cape Winelands

Explore the Instagram-perfect Franschhoek Valley by hopping on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, a unique hop-on, hop-off experience that transports you to multiple wine estates.

Exceptional wine tasting experiences

The Cape Winelands Tasting ExperiencesThe Cape Winelands Tasting Experiences

The sheer choice of vineyards in the Cape Winelands can be overwhelming. For a great starting point on your wine tasting journey, you could begin with a private, guided vineyard tour at the Tokara Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, where expert sommeliers and winemakers share the stories behind the magic blend of soil, climate, and grape varieties that shape their wines.

For a deeper dive into the wine making craft, visit smaller, boutique wineries such as Keermont or the family-owned Thelema, which offer more intimate guided tour experiences and the chance to spend more time with the winemakers.

And enhance your pleasure with some extra special experiences…

Wine and chocolate pairing: Located in the Stellenbosch region, Waterford Estate offers a unique chance to pair their wines with artisanal chocolates. The combination of rich flavours creates a delightful sensory experience, enhancing the taste of both the wine and chocolate.

Underground cellar tour: Visit Klein Constantia, one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa, for a tour of its historic underground cellar. Here, you can taste the iconic Vin de Constance, a sweet wine that has been favoured by nobility and literary figures for centuries, in a suitably dramatic historic setting.

Biodynamic wine tasting: Head to Avondale Wine Estate in Paarl for a biodynamic wine tasting experience. Learn about sustainable farming practices and taste wines made using biodynamic methods, which emphasize natural processes and ecological balance. 

Six of the finest luxury villas to rent in the Cape Winelands

Seeking the lushest places to stay in the most desirable locations? We offer a stunning collection of luxury villas to rent in the Cape Winelands, with exquisite homes for wine lovers situated in and around Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Here’s a pick of six of the most sensational options to whet your appetite…

Franschhoek Residence

Franschhoek Residence: The Cape Winelands

Location: Sip wine under the stars at the beautiful Franschhoek Residence, a modern six-bedroom house surrounded by vineyards on a wine farm that dates back to 1688.

Style points: This property’s interior design is a fusion of French and African contemporary aesthetics, with rooms and terraces perfectly appointed to maximise views of the vines, a scenic dam and the Franschhoek mountains.

Why we love it: Every comfort is catered for with state-of-the-art technology while creating a feeling of homeliness while on vacation. There’s a log-burning fireplace and underfloor heating for the chillier months and a fabulous pool, air-conditioning and shaded al fresco dining areas for summer.

La Cotte Private Villa: The Cape Winelands

La Cotte Private Villa

Location: Is La Cotte Private Villa the prettiest property in Franschhoek? Quite possibly. Situated near Franschhoek village, boutique shops, art galleries and museums as well a wealth of fine dining and wine tasting experiences on centuries old wine estates are on your doorstep.

Style points: A feast for the eyes inside and out, this private villa bedroom has a thatched roof and antique-style French shutters. and the decor is a cool mix of traditional Cape antiques with paintings by contemporary South African artists.

Why we love it: The sweeping 360-degrees views of the valley, it’s delight retreat vibe — this property also has a charming guest cottage and sleeps up to six people in total — and its unbeatable location in the heart of the action.

Franschhoek Manor House: The Cape Winelands

Franschhoek Manor House

Location: Another fabulous villa for wine lovers, Franschhoek Manor House is a dreamy five-bedroom property nestled between the mountains in private grounds at Mont Rochelle and near the town of Franschhoek. 

Style points: If you adore authentic design, you’ll swoon over this house’s traditional Cape architecture and the spacious and sophisticated entertaining areas inside and out.

Why we love it:  For relaxation and kicking back with a fine bottle in an elegant setting, it’s a winner — and the heated outdoor pool and sundeck with beautiful views of this Franschhoek vineyard is simply divine. You can also enjoy the property’s own wines.

Two Rivers Farm Manor House: The Cape Winelands

Two Rivers Farm Manor House

Location: The stunning Two Rivers Farm Manor House boasts a unique setting at the confluence of two rivers and a waterfall in the Franschhoek wine valley — and its own Shiraz vineyard and olive groves on a magical 500-hectare estate.

Style points:  With 8 beautiful bedrooms, it’s one of the finest large villas to rent in the Cape Winelands and home to a dazzling array of facilities in the heart of nature. 100% off-grid, this property generates its own electricity, water and numerous food sources creating a luxurious and unforgettable castaway experience.

Why we love it: The ultimate vacation playground, here you can also enjoy river kayaking and dive into a stunning swimming pool immersed in the free-flowing freshwater dam, as well as savouring superb food and wine and mouthwatering scenery.

Mountain Villa

Mountain Villa: The Cape Winelands

Location: The six-bedroom Mountain Villa is showstopper of a property situated on the charming Boschendal Wine Farm at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain, with spectacular views across the entire Franschhoek Valley.

Style points: This modern villa exudes contemporary chic and its many wow factors include a spacious and cleverly designed terrace that wraps around the whole property, along with a gorgeous pool and sundeck.

Why we love it:  Here, you can enjoy an immersive experience, join experienced guides on a morning farm tour, or explore the wine estate on foot — and indulge in amazing food and wine pairings at the onsite Werf restaurant.

Villa Stellenbosch

Villa Stellenbosch: The Cape Winelands

Location: A gem of a property situated on a 200 year-old wine estate, the delightful six-bedroom Villa Stellenbosch is surrounded by lush vineyards in the majestic Banghoek Valley, just 10 minutes from Stellenbosch town.

Style points: Lovingly renovated, this charming house maintains and celebrates its original Cape Dutch architecture and design aesthetic, with beautiful bedrooms, an elegant patio and outdoor dining area and modern attractions including a large, gated pool.

Why we love it: This estate produces small quantities of wines, using only grapes from their own land, notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, plus a few interesting blending varietals.

This is just a pick of a very big bunch of delicious properties in the heart of the vineyards.  Peruse our full portfolio of luxury villas to rent in the Cape Winelands.

We also have stunning luxury villas to rent in Cape Town, which is around 40km from the Cape Winelands. This is a great option if you’re hungry for some beach action, culture and unique luxury experiences in Cape Town as as part of your trip.

The best restaurants in the Cape Winelands

Our luxury villas to rent in the Cape Winelands are within easy reach of the region’s finest dining rooms. Here are a few of our recommended restaurants which offer the most sublime tasting menus and food and wine pairing experiences…

La Petite Colombe 
Part of the celebrated La Colombe group, La Petite Colombe in Franschhoek is one of the town’s best restaurants, renowned for its innovative French-Asian fusion cuisine paired with exceptional wines. Nestled on the Leeu Estate, it provides an unforgettable culinary feast with stunning mountain views.

Delaire Graff Restaurant 
Set on the Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, Delaire Graff Restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience showcasing contemporary South African dishes using seasonal ingredients. Savour inspired wine pairings and panoramic vineyard views in a refined setting.

Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira
Located on Stellenbosch’s renowned Jordan Wine Estate, The Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira serves a delicious fusion of European and local cuisine on an elegant terrace overlooking a serene dam and picturesque vineyards.  Head Chef Marthinus Ferreira is one of the most innovative chefs celebrated for shaping the South African fine dining scene.

Le Coin Français
Chef de cuisine and owner, Darren Badenhorst’s aptly named Le Coin Français is Franschhoek’s most magical place to savour modern French dishes and local wines in a fine dining venue designed to ‘embody the essence of the valley in heritage, cuisine, art and wine.’ It scores additional style points for its artistic plating, romantic ambience and art collection.

Tokara Restaurant 
Exquisite food, fine wines and rare artworks are showcased at Tokara Restaurant in Stellenbosch’s Tokara Estate, overlooking the vineyards and olive groves. Chef Carolize Coetzee conjures up contemporary cuisine inspired by the local countryside and farm produce, paired with award-winning wines and dramatic views over False Bay.

Chorus at Waterkloof 
CHORUS is Bertus Basson’s celebrated fine dining restaurant at Waterkloof Wine Estate in Somerset West, which serves innovative four and six course menus celebrating the finest seasonal dishes with fresh local ingredients. The wine list celebrates Waterkloof wines, as well as featuring special lists from other South African producers.

Protégé 
Another hit restaurant in the La Colombe group fold, Protégé on the Leeu Estates is an innovative bistro offering a relaxed yet refined dining experience with Asian-inspired small plates. This sweet venue showcases seasonal ingredients and creative flavour combinations.

Cavalli Restaurant
A star choice in Somerset West, Cavalli Restaurant is the dining venue at the Cavalli Wine and Stud Farm. This elegant space blends farm-to-table dining with a focus on sustainable practices. Mediterranean and South African flavours come together in beautifully plated dishes – with delicious mountain views.

Fine dining experiences at your villa

Making reservations at the top tables is just one of the ways our concierge team can make your stay a gastronomic delight. We can also arrange private chefs to cater for your every whim, and organise food and wine experiences and cookery classes in the comfort of your own villa.  

Discover our full range of concierge services and experiences and for details of our full portfolio of luxury villas to rent in the Cape Winelands, and bespoke travel experiences, make an enquiry or speak to one of our expert representatives on +44 (0)207 586 5342.


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Peruse our fine selection of luxury villas to rent in South Africa, including the most spectacular places to stay in the beautiful Cape Winelands, Cape Town and the Overberg Region.

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