For a short winelands day trip from Cape Town, go to Constantia: Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia and Constantia Glen are about 20 to 25 minutes from the city centre. For a full day, drive about 50 km to Stellenbosch for Delaire Graff, Tokara, Jordan or Spier, or about 75 km to Franschhoek for Boschendal, Babylonstoren and the Franschhoek Wine Tram. Book ahead, and remember the inland valleys are often above 30°C in January and February.
Amaya is designed in Sea Point, and a wine farm lunch is one of the occasions we design for: long tables, gravel paths and afternoon heat. We say what we love; we are not affiliated with any of these places. Check hours before you go.
Before you go: heat, driving and booking
The valleys run several degrees warmer than the coast, often 30°C plus in January and February. Franschhoek's average January high is about 30°C, with lows around 15°C. Plan the outdoor part of the day for the morning and take lunch in the shade.
Most estates ask you to book, especially for lunch and weekends. If you are tasting, do not drive. Book a driver or a ride, or take the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
Constantia: under 25 minutes from town
Constantia is the easy option. Constantia Glen says it is under 20 minutes from the city centre.
Groot Constantia
Groot Constantia is a historic estate with an Iziko museum in the Manor House. Tasting and the shop are open daily from 09:00 to 18:00, with the last ticket at 17:00. Eat at Jonkershuis or Simon's. Picnic baskets must be ordered 24 hours ahead, and outside food is not allowed. Tel 021 794 5128.
Klein Constantia
Klein Constantia is the home of Vin de Constance, a sweet wine. Tasting runs daily from 10:00 to 17:00. The bistro is closed for renovation and is due to reopen at the end of October 2026, so check before you plan lunch. Book at kleinconstantia.com/reservations.
Beau Constantia
Beau Constantia sits at the top of Constantia Nek, with views over False Bay. Tasting runs daily from 11:00 to 18:00, and bookings are highly recommended. Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia has two Eat Out stars in 2026 and serves lunch daily from 12:00 to 14:00. Parking is limited, so the estate suggests Uber.
Constantia Glen
Constantia Glen is just below the Constantia Nek saddle. It offers five tastings paired with food, and it is good for a late lunch or early dinner. Open Sunday to Thursday 10:30 to 18:00, and Friday and Saturday 10:30 to 21:00. Bookings are always recommended.
Steenberg
Steenberg has a hotel, a championship golf course and two restaurants, Tryn and Bistro Sixteen82. Tasting runs daily from 10:00 to 18:00, last tasting at 17:00. Bistro Sixteen82 serves tapas from 17:00 to 22:00, with views of the reflection pools and the mountain.
Stellenbosch: about 50 km, 40 to 50 minutes
Delaire Graff Estate
Delaire Graff is at the top of the Helshoogte Pass. The restaurant terrace looks over the Banghoek Valley. Hōseki has two Eat Out stars in 2026, and there is also Lorenzo's, plus an art collection. Book online. Tel 021 885 8160.
Tokara
Tokara is on the upper slopes of the Simonsberg, with views to False Bay and Table Mountain. There is a restaurant led by chef Carolize Coetzee, a deli with a playground, an art gallery, a sculpture garden and olive oil tasting. Book a tasting or a table. Tel 021 808 5900.
Jordan
Jordan is on Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Vlottenberg. The Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira has two Eat Out stars in 2026. Tasting runs from 09:30 to 16:30. Tel 021 881 3441.
Spier
Spier says it is 40 minutes from Cape Town. Come for picnics, Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery and contemporary South African art. Tel 021 809 1100.
Franschhoek and Simondium: about 51 to 75 km, an hour plus
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren is on Babylonstoren Road, Simondium, about 51 km by road from Cape Town. It is known for its formal fruit and vegetable garden. Garden entry is R190 per adult, and under-18s go free. Payment is card or contactless only, and pets are not allowed. Paths are gravel and peach pip, so leave the heels at home. Book Babel online; there is also the Greenhouse and the Old Bakery.
Boschendal
Boschendal is on Helshoogte Road (R310). It is known for picnics on the lawns, which are best pre-booked, plus the Farm Shop & Butchery and The Deli, The Retreat and Arum restaurants. There is a Wine & Wander Safari on Saturdays and a Friday Night Market (details in our weekend markets guide). Book on the website, Quicket or Dineplan. The phone lines are down, so email enquiries@boschendal.co.za.
La Motte
La Motte is known for its Pierneef wines, JAN Franschhoek and The Bakery garden café. L'Ami Family Brasserie and the Ateljee are closed for renovation. Tel 021 876 8000.
Leopard's Leap
Leopard's Leap is on the R45 Main Road, Franschhoek. It is a relaxed, family-friendly estate with a seasonal rotisserie lunch and the South African Table. It is cashless. Tel 021 876 8002.
Franschhoek Wine Tram
Hop on and off between estates by tram and tram-bus, on five lines: Red, Blue, Pink, Orange and Green. A hop-on hop-off ticket is about R350 per person, and prices rise from 1 November 2026. Terminals are in Franschhoek (corner of Main Road and Cabriere Street) and Groot Drakenstein (corner of the R310 and R45). Book online.
Which one for what
- Half a day, close to town: Constantia. Groot Constantia for history, Klein Constantia for Vin de Constance.
- Lunch with a view: Beau Constantia, Delaire Graff or Tokara.
- A late lunch that runs into evening: Constantia Glen, open to 21:00 on Friday and Saturday.
- A garden walk: Babylonstoren.
- A picnic: Boschendal or Spier.
- No driving: the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
- Children along: Tokara's deli playground or Leopard's Leap.
Dress for heat and for gravel. Linen breathes in 30°C, and flat sandals beat heels on farm paths. The Amalfi Dress (R1 850) is linen and made for summer days outside. The Hamptons Dress (R2 200) is cotton, smart enough for a long lunch at Delaire Graff. If you prefer trousers, the Shio Pants (R1 800) are linen and stay put in the wind. More on fabric in linen vs satin in Cape Town. Heading to a wedding on a farm instead? See what to wear to a Cape Town wedding.
Delivery and exchanges
Amaya delivers across South Africa for R99, free over R1 500. Cape Town takes 1 to 2 working days, Johannesburg and Pretoria 2 to 3, the rest of South Africa 3 to 5. Collect in Sea Point for free. The first exchange is free within 14 days.
WhatsApp Max on +27 83 703 8502.
Updated October 2026. We update this guide every season.
