12 Best Sights in The Western Cape and Winelands, South Africa

With a history that dates back three centuries, this lovely estate is one of the Cape's major attractions. Recent renovations have added polish to an already top-notch estate. Cradled between the Simonsberg and Groot Drakenstein mountains at the base of Helshoogte Pass, Boschendal runs one of the most pleasant wine tastings in the region: on warm days you sit outside at wrought-iron tables under a spreading oak. In 1981, Boschendal was the first to pioneer a Blanc de Noir, a pink wine made in a white-wine style from black grapes. The Boschendal Blanc de Noir remains one of the best-selling wines of this style. The recently renovated Werf Restaurant serves excellent country-style cuisine, and picnic baskets are available to enjoy on the lawns. Hour-long vineyard tours and cellar tours are available; be sure to book ahead. You can also take a horse ride through the vines, and there's a jungle gym and hands-on farm activities for kids.

Set against the dramatic Drakenstein Mountains and surrounded by vineyards and orchards, Allée Bleue is one of the oldest wine farms in the Cape. This picturesque estate is well known for its fresh and fruity white wines and well-matured, spicy reds. You can taste their award-winning wines on the tree-shaded terrace overlooking the vineyards or by an open fire in the tasting room. Bistro Allée Bleue offers breakfast and light lunches on weekend, or in summer you can buy a picnic basket filled with a selection of salads, breads, nibbles, cheeses, and desserts. There's even a kids' picnic menu, along with a jungle gym, trampoline, sand pit, and jumping castle to keep the little ones occupied. The farm also produces a range of fruit including pears, plums, and nectarines.

The Wine Tram is the best way to see Franschhoek, allowing you to visit up to six wineries in a day with the freedom to stay for as long as you like at each estate. There are eight different routes to choose from, covering the entire valley. The tram line itself is pretty short, with most routes actually serviced by a trolley bus. A day pass is R270, but all wine tastings are extra. There are also guided tours if you want something more formal.

Built in 1994 on the lower slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains, Haute Cabrière was the brainchild of Achim von Arnim, one of the Cape's most colorful winemakers. To avoid scarring the mountain, the complex, which includes the fine Haute Cabrière restaurant and terrace, hunkers into the hillside. Von Arnim's son, Takuan, has taken over as cellarmaster and continues to produce excellent wines. There are three Cap Classique sparkling wines under the Pierre Jordan label, and four Haute Cabrière wines. The fruity, mouth-filling unwooded Pinot Noir is consistently one of the best. Also delicious is the Chardonnay–Pinot Noir blend, an ideal, extremely quaffable wine to enjoy at lunchtime. Cellar tours depart at noon every day.

To trace the history of the Huguenot community here, visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Its main building is modeled after the Saasveld house, built in 1791 by renowned Cape architect Louis Thibault in Cape Town. Wall displays profile some of the early families. Exhibits also focus on other aspects of the region's history, such as the development of Cape Dutch architecture and the relationship of the Huguenots with the Dutch East India Company. Displays in the annex cover the culture and life of the Khoekhoen, or Khoikhoi, once derogatorily known as Hottentots, as well as the role of slaves and local laborers in the development of the Franschhoek Valley. Bring a picnic basket and take advantage of the lovely garden. Be sure to visit the adjacent Huguenot Memorial.

At the end of the main road through Franschhoek is the Huguenot Monument, built in 1948 to commemorate the contribution of the Huguenots to South Africa's development. The three arches symbolize the Holy Trinity, the sun and cross reference the Huguenots' emblem, and the female figure in front represents Freedom of Conscience. The nearby graveyard date back 300 years. Most graves are marked with rectangular headstones or obelisks, rather than the symbol associated with the church the Huguenots were so desperate to escape.

Dating from 1811, the archetypal Cape Dutch manor house is festooned with flowers and framed by majestic peaks. But instead of remaining in the past, this winery has embraced the future and pumped serious money into a major revamp. L'Ormarins is the main estate and part of the Rupert empire, but there are five labels produced by their various farms dotted around the Western Cape. The farm has three state-of-the-art cellars and two tasting rooms. At the Anthonij Rupert Tasting Room, in the manor house, you can try the Cape of Good Hope and Anthonij Rupert wine ranges. High tea is served here in the afternoon (by reservation only). You can try the other ranges at the Terra Del Capo Tasting Room. There's an antipasto bar below the tasting room, where you can enjoy tasty tapas. The AR Merlot is exceptional: look out for mulberries, blackberries, and hints of fynbos along with fruitcake and cloves. The TDC Sangiovese is a brilliant, light drinking wine, and the Pinot Grigio is always a pleasure. Visit the estate's Franschhoek Motor Museum, home to more than 80 vintage cars in mint condition.

There's a lot happening at this farm: take a guided tour of the estate's the artworks or join a hike along one of the farm's stunning trails. And then there's great wine tasting, food-and-wine pairings, and high tea; the estate's  Pierneef à La Motte restaurant  is regularly voted one of the country's best. The farm also has a wonderful collection of Jacob Hendrik Pierneef's art; view his iconic landscapes in the gallery. But don't get too sidetracked—the wine is excellent as well. The Pierneef Collection is the farm's premium range, and the Shiraz Viognier blend is being snapped up for its whiffs of dark chocolate, smoked beef, black cherry, and blackberry. The estate's Sauvignon Blanc is also outstanding. 

True to its name, this is a small estate produces just enough wine for the restaurant and to keep its faithful customers happy. Try the full-bodied, barrel-fermented Chardonnay or the Merlot, which scoops up awards year after year. The Verdict, a Cape-style blend, is also a crowd-pleaser. Recommended is the Vine Orientation, a guided walk through the vineyards followed by a tasting of wine and canapes. Advance bookings are essential.

This picture-pretty estate has one of the best views in the valley. Mont Rochelle, owned by Sir Richard Branson, boasts more than 90 acres of vineyard, and the wines produced here are excellent. Book ahead to visit the tasting center and sample a variety of Mont Rochelle wines—try the Mont Rochelle Syrah and the signature Miko Chardonnay. For relaxed and formal dining, the hotel has two restaurants: the Country Kitchen, which is the perfect place for a light lunch or relaxed dinner, and Miko, a contemporary gourmet restaurant where you can enjoy a cocktail at sunset or an intimate meal.

The name means "Pleasure of the Blackbird" and has its origins with the original French owners of the farm. This huge estate is the showpiece of Distell, a big wine and spirit producer. With its innovative architecture and conservation area, it truly feels different from the ubiquitous oak-and-gable wineries that you see all over the Cape. But forget the frills—it really is all about the wine. Don't miss the full-bodied, barrel-fermented Chardonnay, which spends nine months in the barrel developing its lovely rich and layered flavor. The farm's flagship wine is the Grand Plaisir, a complex red blend. When tasting, look out for flavors of ripe plums, oak with hints of tobacco, vanilla, and cedar. There is also a range of pairing experiences on offer, including wine with nougat, fudge, or savory snacks.

In 2002 neuroscience professor Mark Solms took charge of Delta wine estate and set about altering wine-making traditions in the region; the grapes grown at Solms-Delta are French, but the technique used is from ancient Greece. This process is called desiccation: grapes are clamped on the vine, cutting off the flow of nutrients, leading to dehydrated fruit with intense flavor. The estate produces three ranges: the Lifestyle, Heritage, and Terroir collections. On the farm you can also visit the Museum van de Caab, where you'll learn the story of the farm and the fascinating history of the Cape. Produce from the estate's 5-acre garden of veldkos (indigenous edible plants) is used in Fyndraai Restaurant, which serves traditional Cape cuisine with strong European and Cape Malay influences. If you'd prefer an informal lunch, you can opt to picnic on the grounds.