Explore Wineries around Somerset West

Cape Town is a favorite destination for wine connoisseurs from around the world, and some of the best and oldest wine farms in the region can be found right in the city’s back yard. Most of the wine farms offer excellent wine-tasting and paring, amazing restaurants and tours, especially during harvest time.

Cape Town and its surroundings are a world renowned wine region, recognised internationally for its fine wines. While the Cape’s famed wine lands have spread to Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and beyond, it all began in Constantia, quite literally Cape Town’s back yard. With a wine-making tradition that spans more than 300 years, the Constantia Valley and its surrounds is the oldest wine-producing region in the Southern Hemisphere, its picturesque farms still producing world class, award-winning wines.

Groot Constantia

Groot Constantia is the oldest wine producing estate in South Africa. When Simon van der Stel’s Constantia was subdivided into three farms, and in 1777 Hendrik Cloete bought one of these farms on the neglected estate. Cloete worked hard to restore the farm to its former glory and after his death in 1817 the farm was further divided between his two sons, with Jacob Pieter inheriting the lower portion of the farm, now known as Groot (big) Constantia, and his brother Johan Gerhard the upper portion, now known as Klein (little) Constantia. In the nearly 200 years since, every subsequent owner of the Groot Constantia contributed its success, with wines favored by the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte along the way. Today Groot Constantia produces an array of award-winning whites and reds that ships around the world. The farm also includes two top class restaurants.

Vergelegen

With a history dating back to the 1700s, when Willem Adriaan succeeded his father, Simon van der Stel, as governor of the Cape in 1700, it didn’t take long before he claimed a modest 30,000 hectare piece of land for himself just as his father had done in his time at Constantia. It took three days by ox-wagon to reach Willem Adriaan’s farm on the slopes of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; hence its name ‘Vergelegen’, meaning ‘situated far away’ of Groot Constantia.

Idiom Wine Estate

Idiom wines is based in the heart of the Helderberg range. This southernmost part of the Stellenbosch wine region provides the backdrop and the perfect climatic conditions for the incredible range of wines. A celebration of terroir, unusual varietals and masterful blends, Idiom is so-called because it is home to the Cape expression of so many European classics. The Cape Idiom, if you will.

Cavalli Wine Estate

Cavalli Estate has quickly become a recognised and respected South African 'lifestyle' experience with the estate's development on the R44 being widely regarded as a significant event for Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands, and has established itself as premier location for visitors seeking a sophisticated South African wine lands 'lifestyle' experience. As a 'destination brand’ renowned for its wine, cuisine, design, architecture, indigenous landscaping and art, Cavalli has developed a loyal following of discerning patrons.

Ernie Els

Thoughtfully selected for its prime position, Ernie Els winery is framed by panoramic views of cape town and table mountain to the west and Stellenbosch and the Helderberg mountains to the east. A passage beyond our grand granite boulders, and through our wooden farmhouse-style doors will lead you into our homely, expansive tasting room and restaurant where you will be rewarded with exceptional wines and hearty farm-style cuisine.