Paarl is the second oldest wine route in South Africa and home to some of the country’s leading corporate cellars. Visiting these stellar wineries give you a glimpse into the size of our wine region and the wonderful wines that are being produced on a larger scale.
Windmeul Kelder
This old favourite epitomises the traditional country warmth and hospitality that the Paarl Wine Route is known for. Although famous for producing high-quality, award-winning wines, the cellar welcomes aficionados and casual drinkers alike, making it a worthy stop when you’re in Paarl.
Taste your way through the range of award-winning signature wines in their cheerful and relaxed tasting room where a knowledgeable team member will guide you(r palate) through some classics!
The farmers’ market, held on the first Saturday morning of every month, is foodie heaven! Attracting local vendors and artisans, it’s the place to stock up on farm-fresh produce and homemade goodies.
The Parskuip Neighbourhood Marketplace, open daily, is an on-site deli that showcases a variety of locally farmed and produced goods. You’ll find an assortment of artisanal foods, fynbos honey, freshly baked goods and preserves. Windmeul Kelder also makes an outstanding brandy, Reserve Brandy VSOP.
Fariview Wine and Cheese
Founded in 1693, this working cheese and wine farm is home to a variety of attractions including a fresh-produce deli for take-home goods, a bakery, tasting room, tasting classes and the popular Goatshed Restaurant.
The charming Goatshed Restaurant serves farm-to-table fare in a luxury atmosphere. For the warmer months, there is a large undercover patio and a seating area under the vines with views of the garden and the goats. Visitors can also dine inside for a more rustic feel in the converted barn.
Thanks to a long-held reputation for their exceptional customer service, Fairview has made the most seasoned food pairing – cheese and wine – one of the most sought-after wine tastings in the Cape Winelands. The pairing features an assortment of six to eight of Fairview’s Jersey milk and goat’s milk cheeses with a selection of their fine wines. Visitors can also visit the renowned Fairview cheesery.
Named after owner Charles Back’s, late mother, the Beryl Back Master Tasting Room continues to practice the legacy of warmth and hospitality that Beryl so lovingly instilled. Managed by highly qualified Tasting Hosts, the elegant Beryl Back tasting room is set apart from the main tasting area, offering seated, tutored and tailored tastings in an exclusive, educational setting. Each Master Tasting comes with carefully paired Fairview cheese, freshly baked artisanal bread and their farm-made olive oil.
KWV Wine Emporium
KWV is one of the leading wine and spirits producers in South Africa with a distinguished heritage of product innovation and exceptional brands. Plan a trip to the KWV Emporium where you are invited on a cellar tour of the impressive 22-hectare cellar complex, one of the largest in the world and various tastings of their impressive range of products.
The infamous Cathedral Cellars boasts five of the largest vats in the world, superb wines and brandies, and its fascinating history will provide you with a lasting memory of the people, stories and products that have established KWV as one of the world’s most admired wine brands. Visit them and enjoy a plethora of tasting experiences, including wine, brandy and tea.
Nederburg
Primely positioned just outside Paarl, the captivating views of the Drakenstein mountains, rolling vineyards and stunning gardens create a perfect backdrop for country-style dining, award-winning wine experiences and fun for the whole family at this iconic and historical estate.
The Manor restaurant celebrates Nederburg’s rich heritage, that dates back to 1791, through innovative food-and-wine experiences, wine tastings, breakfast, lunch and garden picnics in the beautifully reimagined estate manor house.
At Nederburg you can play winemaker for a day, let your five senses be tantalised by a blind-folded wine tasting experience and enjoy the perfect picnic on their lawns with the manor house (which is a national monument) as your backdrop.
The Five Senses Wine & Food Experience is devised to strip away some senses and heighten others to show just how you perceive wine, food and flavours using different senses. Taste your way through a three-course canapé-style food and wine pairing, first blind-folded, and then sighted. To add an extra dimension to the experience, the second and third courses are presented not only unseen, but also with the addition of evocative sounds, creating a truly emotive and personal experience where your imagination is allowed free reign.
Play winemaker for a day as Nederburg guides you through the wine blending process. Learn the characteristics of the various varietals and discover why some harmonise better than others. Blend and bottle your own signature wine to take home and impress your friends and family. Guests will receive a personalised bottle of their favourite blend sent to them once bottled and ready for delivery.
Take advantage of warm summer days with the Perfect Picnic under the shade of Nederburg’s towering oaks. Picnic baskets offers a fabulous feast, a bottle of wine of your choice and many more delicious delights for friends and family to enjoy.
Perdeberg Winery
Named after the wild zebras that once roamed the area and were mistaken for horses, Perdeberg Wines lies at the foot of Paardeberg Mountain. One of the most distinguishing factors of this cellar is the predominant use of unirrigated vineyards – dry-land vines – which yield concentrated-flavour wines. Well-known for its popular range of chenins, Perdeberg also produces a lesser-known selection of Cap Classique (made from chenin grapes) and sparkling wines.
Tastings can be enjoyed indoors in a comfortable setting or our outside in the family-friendly seating area. Try a unique tasting paired with a braai picnic or chocolates and marshmallows!
Perdeberg offers delicious country-style family dining in its restaurant, Eat@Perdeberg, or more casual meals can be taken outside on the lawn, such as the braai picnic for two. Little ones will be kept busy in a fun garden play area and (on weather-permitting weekends) a jumping castle. There is also a Kiddies’ Busy Box, with a selection of treats and activities for children to enjoy while parents are wine tasting.
