The ultimate guide to Paarl Winelands

Babylonstoren is a restored Cape Dutch farm dating back to 1692, where a variety of wines, showcasing the soil and the climate where the grapes are grown, are produced.  The wines are produced in a state-of-the-art winery, whilst the Tasting Room boasts views of the funnel-shaped Babylonstoren Hill, Simonsberg, and the Banghoek Mountains.

Some of the varietals produced are Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Then there’s also the Mourvèdre Rosé, the official rosé at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show in London for four years running, and Sprankel (loosely translated, it means sparkle), a Cap Classique featuring 85% chardonnay and 15% pinot noir.

One of the biggest drawcards of Babylonstoren is their 3.5-hectare garden with pergolas and a prickly pear maze, meandering pathways and canals, thousands of clivias on the banks of a gurgling stream and trunks of persimmon trees framed with blue and white shards of blue china found by the gardeners when the garden was established and thereafter turned into huge mosaic plates. The design of the Babylonstoren garden was inspired by the historic Company’s Garden in Cape Town, which operated as a refreshment station for ships sailing between Europe and Asia all those centuries ago. It also evokes images of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the ancient gardens once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and rumoured to have been created by Nebuchadnezzar. 

Apart from spending time in the magnificent garden, wine tastings – don’t miss the Nebukadnesar, a velvety red blend and one of their flagship wines – and cellar tours are on offer. Babel Restaurant is housed in an old cow shed now featuring contemporary glass walls, and the Greenhouse, situated in a far corner of the garden, serves lighter meals. 

Babylonstoren Road

Also read: A new buzz at Babylonstoren

Boland Cellar was established in 1941, by nine farmers from the Paarl area. Back then their motivation was that they knew by working together they could achieve so much more than as individual growers.

Over the decades that followed, they’ve established themselves as regional wine specialists and have become one of the largest producer cellars in the country, supporting over 40 farms, including the communities on the farms. 

Boland Cellar has five ranges of wines available: the Reserve, One Formation, AHintOf, Classic Selection, Cappupino Ccinotage (don’t try to say that when you’ve already had a glass of two), and Sixty 40. Their vintages range from 2022 to 2025. 

Time Out Tip: Ask the friendly staff at the Tasting Room for recommendations of where else to go in the area, they’ll happily oblige.

Noord Agter Paarl Road

At Brookdale Estate their motto is ‘Opportunities taken’. This is exactly what the Rudd family did when they purchased an overgrown and under-used piece of land in the Paarl Winelands in 2017.  

Fast-forward to today when their wine ranges are described as “where old-world sophistication and new world bravery collide”. In the Tasting Room visitors can enjoy wines by the glass or bottle, a small plates menu has also been introduced.  

The Bistro at Brookdale receives rave reviews. The three most popular dishes on the current summer menu are: pan-seared fish du jour with smashed avocado, cannellini beans and tomato salad with coconut lime and chilli dressing; tandoori chicken and Moroccan lamb. 

Hawequa Bos Pad

Also read: The best hotels in the Cape Winelands

Think Dekkersvlei, think the world’s first White Pinotage, described as “a bold reimagining of South Africa’s signature wine”. Dekkersvlei was formerly known as Mellasat Vineyards and this is when history was made, in 2007, when the first white Pinotage was introduced.

Dekkersvlei is one of the oldest wine farms in the Paarl region, first established in 1693. 

Visitors to Dekkersvlei can partake in a selection of wine tastings including the White Pinotage, a bespoke brandy experience, a cellar tour and a vineyard walk. On Pinotage Saturdays, starting on Saturday, 31 January 2026, five unique Pinotage styles are up for tasting: MCC, White, Rosé, Classic Red and Coffee. 

Keerweder Road

Also read: The best wine estates for tasting Pinotage

Fairview, also founded in 1693, is a family-run estate in its third generation, known for a wide variety of wines, award-winning cheeses, and its iconic landmark, the Goat Tower, one of the first things you see when you disembark.  

Climbing, frolicking and gambolling, that’s what goats do as it is a natural inherent behaviour to them. At Fairview, the goats who call the Goat Tower home also seem to pose for photos on the spiralling staircase before sneaking inside for a bit of a rest after displaying their antics. 

Apart from their Flagship, Single Vineyard and Bloemcool wines, amongst others, the Goats do Roam range, featuring unique blends from different regions, is also very popular, not to mention well-priced. 

The Goatshed Restaurant offers a bistro-style menu, visitors can stock up on a selection of cheeses, jams and preserves, free-range eggs and artisanal breads at Fairview Deli, or book a Farmer Donald’s Fairview Tour , where you also get to meet the goats!

Suid Agter Paarl Road

Also read: Fairview grows Regional Revival series

KWV, initially known as the Ko-operatiewe Wijnbouers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika, is known across the world for its wine. The KWV cellar complex is also one of the largest in the world.

A visit to KWV offers multiple experiences. Start off with a cellar tour, then sit down at KWV Emporium for a tasting. Choose between an Essential Tasting of KWV Classic and Laborie, a Premium Tasting of Roodeberg and Cathedral Cellar, an Exclusive Tasting of KWV The Mentors and Perold Our Flagship Cape Blend, the World’s Best Brandy or the Connoisseur Choice with the Cognac Range. You can also opt for one of the following pairings: Laborie Cap Classique and Macarons, Exclusive Wines and Artisan Pies, KWV Brandy and Belgian Chocolates or Liqueur & Fortified with Local Decadence. 

You’ll never forget a walking tour of Cathedral Cellar, described as a “cathedral of wine”, once you have been inside this barrel-vaulted beauty. It has a domed ceiling, tinted windows depicting sunrise and sunset in Paarl, a granite-and-wood floor, and 32 vats that each hold 12 000 litres. The vats are hand-carved, and each front panel tells a different part of the story of the arrival of the first vines in the Cape to the founding of KWV in 1918.

At the House of Fire, where the first KWV brandy was distilled in 1926, you’ll feel as if you’ve entered a steampunk world. This is even before you’ve tasted a drop of brandy! 

Kohler St, Southern Paarl

Also read: Step inside KWV’s Cathedral Cellar and newly renovated Emporium

The farm Landskroon was first granted to a Swede by the name of Jan Holsmit by Governor Simon van der Stel in 1692. Holsmit was from a town in Sweden called Landskrona, which is where the name came from.

Landskroon is big on history, the family can trace their original ancestor, Jacques de Villiers, back to his arrival in the Cape in 1689, though the farm changed hands a while ago. Although wine was made on the farm from 1874, the first wine was bottled exactly one hundred years later, in 1974. 

Landskroon is also the home of Survivor Wines.

Wine tastings include the following wine ranges: Landskroon Selection, Survivor Terroir and Survivor Premium. A cured meat or cheese platter is also available.

Suid Agter Paarl Road

Nederburg Wines are quintessentially South African, with a winemaking legacy that spans over two centuries. Over the years, they’ve also been acknowledged as one of the most admired wine brands in the world.

Their legendary Nederburg Baronne red wine has stood the test of time for over half a century. This Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend remains a firm favourite among South Africans and visitors alike. This is also true of the rest of the wines, each popular in its own right, from the crisp Classic Lyric white blend to Nederburg The Wine Masters premium range.

The Manor House serves breakfast and lunch and is located in the original manor house of the farm, an elegant Cape Dutch homestead with a thatched roof. This national monument was built in 1800, by the farm’s first owner Philippus Wolvaart. 

From 1937 to 1950 the Nederburg farm belonged to a German immigrant by the name of Johan Graue. The Graue couple lived in the Manor House where Johan’s wife Ilse was known for her hospitality, her beloved Beckstein piano and her rose garden. Rumour has it that ever so occasionally one still hears laughter, tinkling glasses and a piano playing on a summer night, emanating from the homestead.

Sonstraal Road, Dal Josafat

Also read: The best Cape Winelands picnics

Imagine a wine farm with five hills and ten dams! That’s Niel Joubert Wines situated on the slopes of Simonsberg.

Add to that a natural mountain spring, stunning views and various fruit orchards, and you get the whole picture of what to expect when you visit. However, tastings of three wine ranges, Estate, Lifestyle and Christine Marié, are by appointment only.

Klapmuts-Simondium Road

The scientific name for African wild dogs is Lycaon pictus. This translates directly to ‘painted wolf’, which reflects their mottled caramel and brown fur. That was where the inspiration for Painted Wolf Wines, who is deeply committed to community-based conservation, came from. 

This private wine company aims to raise money for endangered African wild dogs, the largest wild canines in Africa, whilst also producing high-quality wines with a South African character. They have three wine ranges, The Den, The Pack and Lycaon Pictus respectively. Through the sale of their wines, they have donated more than R4 million to African wild dog and related conservation efforts thus far.

Visit Painted Wolf Wines at Simondium Guild, situated in the old Drakenstein Winery Co-operative dating from the 1900s, a destination with a difference. 

R45 (Paarl-Franschhoek Road)

Also read: Best wine estates for tasting Chardonnay

Perdeberg Cellar is known as the Home of Chenin Blanc, with more than a dozen Chenin Blancs, including a few gold medal winners, to choose from, each expressing this popular cultivar in its own way. 

Apart from a range of barrel-fermented Chenin Blancs from dry land vineyards, well-suited to showcase this cultivar, you’ll also find fortified Chenin Blanc, natural sweet Chenin Blanc and a blend of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Viognier, as well as some red cultivars at the winery.

Enjoy the view of Paardeberg Mountain from the lawn or outdoor tables over a pizza or picnic.

Vryguns Farm, Windmeul

Rhebokskloof has something for everyone – bring the whole family, especially if they love the outdoors - and don’t forget to pack mountain bikes and trail-running shoes. 

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Rhebokskloof is especially popular for its mountain bike routes. Those who prefer a leisurely walk will be rewarded with a view over the scenic dam. A vineyard stroll holds its own rewards, too.

Thereafter, head for El Picoteo for a relaxed summer lunch with fresh seasonal plates, inspired by the Mediterranean, choose from a diverse range of wines – from crisp whites to bold reds and award-winning Cap Classiques – and enjoy the views across the vineyards and the valley.

If you feel particularly relaxed after that, spread yourself out on the lawns – good for picnics too – under the trees and soak up the farm atmosphere.

Agter Paarl Road, Windmeul

Also read: The best golf courses in the Cape Winelands

Amongst some dog lovers, there’s a saying doing the rounds: There really are only two kinds of people in this world - those who love Ridgebacks, and everybody else. Dog lovers are a different breed, they believe life is better with a dog.

That might well be what everyone at Ridgeback Wines believes as they proudly declare that their wines are inspired by the legendary Rhodesian Ridgeback, known for its bravery. Their wines embody the same resilience and character, as their labels are embossed with a single Ridgeback with what looks like his owner’s hat in his mouth, attest.

The Ridgeback Viognier is the heartbeat of their white wine range. Cellar Master Toit Wessels says it “just loves the climate of the Paarl”, as does the Cabernet Franc, because this is another grape that thrives in warmth. Both these wines did extremely well at the 2024 National Wine Challenge.

Sip on Ridgeback Wines over lunch at Botanicum in a tranquil setting with a view over the dam, or pop in for breakfast. 

Noord Agter Paarl Road, Windmeul

Also read: The best dog-friendly spots in Cape Town

Wine tasting is but one of the experiences Spice Route offers! Choose between the Winemaker’s Journey, Wine & Jewell’s Charcuterie Journey, Wine & Beyers Chocolate Journey, Wine & Vegetarian Journey and the Spice Route Passport Tasting. Each tasting features 6 wines, except for the chocolate pairing, which showcases 5 wines. There’s also a CBC beer tasting, Wilderer Distillery Tasting, Tea Tasting by Nigiro Tea and Sweet Angels Ice Cream Tasting. Leave space for lunch at Jewell’s Farm Bistro or La Grapperia Pizza & Bistro. 

Spice Route has its own trails too, Paarl Adventure Trails are open for hiking, running and mountain biking. 

Spice Route pays homage to the historical mariners who traded Eastern spices along the 15th-century Spice Route, at Brenda’s Deli, where you can create your own salt-and-spice mix in a spice-crafting experience. 

Suid Agter Paarl Road

Also read: Sweet dreams at Spice Route

Translated from Afrikaans, Vrede en Lust means Peace and Delight (or Eagerness). Vrede en Lust was founded in 1688 by a Flemish merchant, Jacques de Savoy, who fled Europe due to religious persecution. As with most farms, it has changed hands many times over the past few centuries, though the name has stayed the same.

Wine tastings are led by the Vrede en Lust tasting ambassadors, here called Red Ladies. Indulge in a Dalewood Cheese or Lindt Excellence Pairing or sign up for a Curated Cellar Tour; pre-booking required. 

Lust Bistro & Bakery is open for breakfast (including banana bread, French toast, and a build your own option) and lunch, with seasonal chalkboard menus, pizzas and lighter meals such as sandwiches and flatbreads. 

Intersection R45 and Simondium-Klapmuts Roads

Where’s the windmill (‘windmeul’ in Afrikaans), you might very well ask when you arrive at Windmeul Kelder. Though not much of it is left today, the cellar owes its name to this former hub of activity in this region more than a century ago. Like the millers of yesteryear, the team at Windmill believes in hard work, persistence and diligence. 

Windmeul Kelder was established in 1944 when a few grape farmers who wanted to make their own wine came together. Thus, a joint venture between growers and wine farmers was formed. To this day, the cellar gets its grapes from individual vineyards of their choosing. 

In the relaxed atmosphere of the Windmeul tasting room, visitors are introduced to their terroir and how it influences each wine, how each wine is made, and its bouquet.

On the first Saturday of every month, the bustling Windmeul Cellar Farmers Market attracts foodies in the know. It’s a family-friendly event with local vendors peddling their wares, including olives, jams, breads, baked goods, herbs, bath products, and much more. Do as the local market-goers do and shop for your own picnic, then look for a spot where you can stretch your legs and observe the goings-on. 

C/O R44 & Paardeberg Pad, Agter-Paarl

Also read: The best markets in and around Cape Town