Settled among spectacular vineyards fringed by mountains east of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s leading wine region and home to the country’s first wine route – which provided the catalyst for the current burgeoning wine tourism industry.
South African wines were once considered poor relations, but have since emerged from the shadows as some of the best valued red and white wines in the world courtesy of a lush yet rugged landscape and distinctly Mediterranean landscape.
Stellenbosch is arguably the most revered of the country’s wine regions, attracting wine enthusiasts with the lure of an African adventure – where wine tours can accompany breathtaking views, exciting wildlife safaris and memorable cuisine. Consequently, accommodation in Stellenbosch winelands has experienced a surge in quality to meet the needs of its visitors, with many renowned wineries offering luxury accommodation, fine dining with elaborate wine pairings and tastings.
At Wine Paths, our team of local experts can arrange exclusive bespoke tours of the wine region as well as superb options of where to stay in Stellenbosch.
Imagine taking an outdoor balcony shower amid breathtaking mountain views in the heart of South Africa’s winelands…
One of our favourites is the Marianne wine estate, which has taken a French approach to vinification by pampering its grapes to produce Bordeaux-influenced blends with more age than its neighbouring farms. The Marianne Guest House offers the epitome of relaxed rural Stellenbosch wine farm accommodation featuring eight unique en-suite rooms – four in the owner’s villa and other four so-called ‘lofts’ in a separate building settled in the beautiful countryside with stunning views of the manicured gardens. Rooms in the owner’s villa include a luxurious Master Suite occupying the entire first floor with a fantastic outdoor balcony shower overlooking the nearby mountain ranges and swimming pool. For families or groups travelling together, the main villa is available to book in its entirety. Each of the lofts have recently been upgraded to include all mod cons such as air-conditioning, satellite television, Wifi internet access and refrigerators. And, completing the estate, is an excellent tasting room and restaurant.
As well as featuring some of the best wine estate accommodation Stellenbosch has to offer, Wine Paths also presents you with several wine tours of Stellenbosch, including a private safari of a renowned estate that gives guests an opportunity to explore the 120ha vineyards by Land Rover before tasting award-winning wines and indulging in carefully chosen chocolate pairings.
For more information on what South Africa has to offer the world of wine tourism, check out our destination guide. After getting familiar with our curated selection of members, you can decide where to stay in Stellenbosch, one of the most beautiful natural settings for wine tasting in the world.
