"Located in the beautiful Breede Valley, Bosjes offers luxury accommodations off the beaten track. Here, guests can rest their heads in a converted barn house, complete with five suites done up in oak furnishings, natural accents, and brass details. Both the Honeymoon Suite and Family Room also have fireplaces, making them particularly cozy during the winter months. When not relaxing in your room, be sure to check out the property’s signature chapel—an architectural masterpiece featuring glass walls and an undulating white roof—as well as the landscaped gardens and surrounding hiking trails. Then, snack on cakes and sandwiches in the open-air tea garden, or enjoy lunch at the bistro-style restaurant Bosjes Kombuis."

"Art lovers and garden enthusiasts visiting the Cape Winelands should set aside an hour or two to tour the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden in Stellenbosch. Here, more than 60 of Lewis’s renowned works—from his human forms and shamanic figures to his monumental abstracted fragments and iconic great cats—dot 2.5 miles of walking paths, blending seamlessly with the landscape. If you can, tour the gardens in July and August, when the fynbos trees are in full bloom. Then stop by Lewis’s old studio, which now functions as an art gallery, before having coffee or tea in the small café. Visits to the sculpture garden are by appointment only and can be arranged via email. Guided tours are also available."

"While strolling along Stellenbosch’s oak-lined avenues, you’ll come across several boutiques selling everything from jams and baked goods to artisanal crafts. For the best souvenirs, stop into Local Works on Drostdy Street, where you’ll find handsome wooden giraffes. Though cumbersome to carry home, they make for great gifts. You’ll no doubt see someone on your return flight with one wrapped in newspaper."

"The daily duck parade at Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate is quite the sight to behold. Every morning at 10 a.m., a single caller uses different whistles and motions to corral some one thousand Indian Runner ducks away from their pond and onto the grounds of the wine estate. While entertaining to watch, the parade is performed for more than just amusement—the ducks have been helping with pest control in the vineyards since 1984, devouring hundreds of snails, slugs, and other unwanted insects each day. Recently, the vineyard also started working with WWF South Africa and other conservation agencies in the region on a project related to indigenous waterfowl habitat rehabilitation. Learn all about it on a visit, and be sure to ask about touring the duck pen and breeding area with one of the herders."

"As you walk through Stellenbosch’s town center, you’ll probably smell the bread baking at Boschendal at Oude Bank before you even arrive at the café’s main entrance. Owned by Boschendal Farm Estate since early 2017, the local favorite is a bakery, bistro, and farm shop in one, serving seasonal dishes made from locally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients. The warm interior features cozy dining nooks, but you should really sit outside, where you can sip your matcha latte while people-watching on Bird Street. Go for breakfast and order the brioche French toast, or stop by for lunch and pair the trout salad with a glass of chenin blanc from the farm."

"If you tire of chenin blanc and pinotage, know that there are several other great beverages to imbibe on your journey through South Africa’s winelands, including craft beer. At the Stellenbosch Brewing Company & Taproom (affectionally referred to as “The Stellies Taproom” by locals), for example, you can try the microbrewery’s award-winning Hoenderhok Bock and other New World–style brews. In the winter, the indoor taproom is laid-back and cozy. The best time to visit, however, is in the summer, when you can bring your drinks outside and order small bites—perfect for the picnic tables that dot the wide-open lawn of Klein Joostenberg farm."

"Located on the family-owned wine farm Kleine Zalze, Terroir is the very definition of laid-back luxury. Since the restaurant opened in 2004, diners haven’t stopped raving about chef Michael Broughton’s modern South African fare, from the baby beef tartare with burned aubergine purée to the braised beef cheek with pickled vegetables. In summer, it’s best to reserve a spot on the patio under the shade of the large oak trees. In winter, opt for a table inside by the fireplace. Then pair your meal with some of Kleine Zalze’s award-winning chenin blanc or shiraz. Most wines are available by the glass or carafe, so you can try a couple during your visit."

"A reservation at The Table is difficult to get but worth the effort. Located on De Meye Farm, the restaurant hosts just six people per day for a three-course lunch, served family-style on mismatched antique platters. The menu changes daily but always showcases produce grown in the kitchen garden, as well as locally sourced ingredients like pasture-raised meat, farm eggs, olive oil, and goat cheese. Summer dining takes place at tables spread out on the lawn, and winter meals occur inside the historic farm building, where whitewashed walls and a wood-burning stove complement sweeping views of the vineyards."

"A winery with an enviable view, Tokara is considered one of the best in the region for its cabernets, sauvignon blancs, and premium olive oils. As compelling as the wines are, though, people flock to Tokara for its restaurant, led by chef Carolize Coetzee. Here, in a stunning building made of glass, steel, and stone, diners enjoy contemporary cuisine, award-winning wines, and dramatic views over Stellenbosch and False Bay. Before sitting down for your meal, enjoy a drink at the bar, which offers views of the kitchen as well as the sun setting through a picture window. Then dig into creative dishes like roasted beef with lemon-glazed shimeji mushrooms, and pork belly with carrot-ginger sauce. The menu changes seasonally, but guests can always expect a life-changing meal."

"About an hour outside of Cape Town, Babylonstoren is one of South Africa’s oldest werfs , or farmyards. In 2010, Karen Roos, a former editor at South Africa’s Elle Decoration , reimagined the property as a fantasy farm stay with an eight-acre garden that grows 300 varieties of fruits and vegetables. Guests are welcome to help the head gardener prune and plant, and to join the chef in his daily harvest. Some of the 13 laborers’ cottages that have been rebuiltas guestroomsfeature kitchens for those who want to pick and prep their own meals."

"At Boschendal, guests can slow down and savor “Le Pique Nique,” a pre-packed picnic basket that you can order in advance of your visit to the vineyard. When you arrive, collect your wicker basket filled with sweet and savory treats, pick up a bottle of wine to pair with your snacks, and find a spot under the pine trees to sit for the afternoon, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine. Boschendal is right on the edge of Stellenbosch, about an hour’s drive from Cape Town through the beautiful hills and valleys of the winelands. The owners transformed several farm laborers’ cottages into luxury accommodations, should you wish to spend the night after a day of vineyard tours, winetastings, and dining at the estate’s several restaurants."

"Despite their love of all things biltong , South Africans rarely practice the art of charcuterie, which makes Neil Jewell’s efforts at Bread & Wine not only unique but utterly compelling. He and his wife, Tina, opened their restaurant at Môreson wine farm several years ago with a commitment to crafting the perfect sausage, from bresaola to salami and saucisson. Ever since, Bread & Wine has served as a pilgrimage spot for anyone who likes their meat well cured. Come for a tasting and Jewell will show you inside his giant charcuterie larder, which is home to several ongoing experiments, then stay for a breadmaking lesson or workshop with Tina. As a couple, the two are loads of fun, so give them a visit and prepare for a delicious afternoon."

"Instead of worrying about who will be the designated driver, purchase tickets for the hop-on, hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram—the easiest way to explore the vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley. Choose from one of six color-coded tram routes, each of which stops at eight different wine estates. The earlier you arrive to the tram depot in the morning, the more vineyards you’ll be able to visit throughout the day. The trams arrive and depart each farm hourly, so if you decide you’d like to linger longer at one stop, you can simply wait for the next ride. Just don’t forget to catch the last tram back to the depot."

"When planning your visit to the Cape Winelands, it’s easy to forget activities not focused around the region’s namesake beverage. For a break from wine, consider spending a day luxuriating at La Residence, an exclusive 30-acre estate in Franschhoek. First, book a spa treatment like a deep-tissue massage or pinotage body polish. Then head to the hotel’s afternoon high tea, during which pastries, mini quiches, fresh fruit, and other nibbles are delivered to your table on multi-tiered platters. When you’re done snacking, stroll the farm grounds and try to catch a glimpse of the 10 resident peacocks. If interested, you can also arrange for a chef’s tour of the herb garden and plum orchard."

"Along with South Africa’s winelands, the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve falls within the Cape Floral Kingdom—a small but incredibly diverse area that’s home to 5,000 plant species that can’t be found anywhere else on earth. In the reserve, walking and hiking trails wind past the myriad flora and fauna, leading up to some of the best vantage points for admiring the beauty of the Franschhoek Valley and beyond. The Breakfast Trail is a relatively flat, 1.2-mile walk that can be completed in under an hour or used as a jumping off point for other, more strenuous hikes, like the Vista Trail and Dutoitskop. If you make it to the top of the Vista Trail on a clear day, you might catch a glimpse of Lion’s Head and Table Mountain. Permits for entering the reserve must be purchased online in advance. If you’re planning a full-day excursion, swing by De Warenmarkt Deli in Stellenbosch or the Franschhoek Market (Saturdays only) and pick up some snacks to keep you energized while you hike."

"Orangerie Restaurant at Le Lude Franschhoek is one of the top eateries in the Cape Winelands. Seated amid hanging ferns in the French-inspired dining room, you’ll feel as if you’re eating in a conservatory or atrium, all with views of the surrounding gardens through giant, arched steel windows. The menu changes seasonally but always features classical French cuisine with a contemporary twist. Get the fish, and don’t leave without tasting or purchasing a bottle of Le Lude’s méthode cap classique , a fermented sparkling wine made in the same way as Champagne."

"Located in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Terbodore Coffee Roasters imports beans from 13 countries, but also sources coffee from South Africa’s countryside. Stop in to try the roastery’s famous flavored coffees, or go for breakfast and pair a perfectly made flat white with sweet corn fritters and homemade granola."

"Located in the village of Franschhoek, Ashbourne House is an intimate, Colonial-style bed-and-breakfast with eight rooms. Each room has a private entrance as well as a balcony or patio with mountain or pool views. Depending on the season, you’ll want to spend a lazy afternoon sipping wine by the pool or in the lounge by the fireplace. For more ideas about what to do during your stay in the winelands, consult the property owners, Tim and Nadine, who serve as a great resource for guests and make sure everyone is well taken care of during their stay."

"Clouds Estate is a luxury hotel and restaurant located in the Franschhoek Wine Valley. Here, visitors can stop into the tasting room to sample the estate’s wines or dine at the hotel restaurant. If you simply can’t tear yourself away from the dramatic vistas of Simonsberg Nature Reserve, you can choose to spend the night in one of the seven guestrooms or six semi-detached villas, all of which offer sweeping views of the mountains. But whatever you do, be sure to check out the estate’s art collection (curated by a local gallery owner and featuring South African artists like Hanneke Benadé, Kurt Pio, Helen Vaughan, and Strijdom van der Merwe), and don’t leave without purchasing a bottle of the signature pink sauvignon blanc."

"If you’re looking for luxury accommodations for a group of travelers in the winelands, the answer is La Clé des Montagnes. Located within walking distance of downtown Franschhoek, the property features four contemporary villas, each of which comes with a private butler and the option to book a private chef. Guests can also book La Clé Lodge (a renovated Cape Dutch–style home with five separate rooms) or, if traveling solo or as a couple, individual rooms within three of the four villas. When not relaxing on property, explore Franschhoek’s many markets, shops, cafés, and art galleries."