Exploring the Stellenbosch Winelands from Oude Werf

The Stellenbosch Winelands begin just beyond the oak-lined streets of town, where one wine estate leads naturally to the next. It’s one of the world’s great wine regions, producing everything from elegant Chenin Blanc and robust Cabernet Sauvignon to the uniquely South African Pinotage that was first developed here.

Staying at Oude Werf places you in the heart of Stellenbosch, close to the wine farms but still rooted in the rhythm of the town. Spend the morning wandering Church Street, enjoy breakfast beneath the vines in our courtyard, then set off into the Winelands. By late afternoon, you can be back in town, swapping stories over dinner and a newly discovered vintage or varietal.

Wine farms in Stellenbosch: there isn’t one perfect itinerary

With more than 150 wine farms spread across Stellenbosch and the surrounding valleys, the challenge is not finding somewhere to go. It is knowing where to begin. That is where our team comes in.

It is tempting to search for a definitive list of the best wineries in Stellenbosch. But after years of helping guests explore the region, we have learnt that the best day in the Winelands begins with a conversation rather than a list.

Some guests arrive looking for centuries-old Cape Dutch estates steeped in history. Others are searching for contemporary architecture, award-winning restaurants, or spectacular mountain views. Families often ask about child-friendly wine farms where everyone can enjoy the day, while returning visitors might be looking for boutique producers they’ve never discovered before.

Increasingly, guests are also asking to visit black-owned wineries or discover the work of the region’s growing community of female winemakers, opening up another side of the Stellenbosch wine story.

Every recommendation starts with a conversation

As Derrick Festus, our Guest Relations Manager, puts it: “It all depends on what the need is and what the guest wants to take out of Stellenbosch.”

It would be difficult to have a bad day wine tasting in Stellenbosch, but our aim is not simply to send guests to good wine farms. It is to help them find the experiences that are right for them.

“For me, it’s best to have a conversation with a guest and find out what they like, and then I can send them in the right direction,” Derrick says.

Different guests, different experiences

Every recommendation starts with the guest rather than the wine farm. Once we understand what you’re looking for, we can suggest experiences that feel personal rather than predictable. These are the kinds of conversations we have every day:

These are never fixed recommendations, but starting points. Every guest arrives with different tastes, different interests, and different reasons for visiting Stellenbosch, so every itinerary is a little different too.

Note: Tasting fees vary between estates and experiences, with premium or private tastings generally costing more than standard flights. 

Planning your day on the Stellenbosch Wine Route

Rather than trying to fit in as many wine farms as possible, we usually recommend choosing two or three estates and allowing time to enjoy each one properly. 

A leisurely tasting, lunch overlooking the vineyards, and time to explore the gardens, galleries or cellar doors often makes for a far more rewarding day than racing between five or six stops. Our advice: don’t rush. Allow yourself time to enjoy the surroundings, ask questions, and discover wines you may never have encountered before.

The Stellenbosch Wine Route also opens naturally into neighbouring regions such as Franschhoek and the Helderberg, so we can always help you experience a different part of the Winelands, too. 

And when you return to Oude Werf, Stellenbosch still has plenty left to offer. Wander to one of the many restaurants, galleries, wine bars, or cafés within walking distance, or simply settle into the comforts back ‘home’ at the hotel. 

Getting there and back from Oude Werf

Many of Stellenbosch’s best-known wine farms are only a short drive from Oude Werf, while Franschhoek and the Helderberg are close enough for an easy day trip.

If you’re planning on tasting wine, our team can arrange reliable transport, private drivers and guided wine tours.

For something a little different, cycling tours through the vineyards offer another way to experience the Winelands, with transport arranged for the journey back afterwards.

The kinds of experiences we hope every guest leaves with

As one guest from Essex shared: “I had contacted Derrick, the Guest Relations Manager, prior to arriving. He made our restaurant reservations and recommended a wine tasting and lunch at Lanzerac Wine Estate, which was excellent, together with the transport there and back.”

Another guest praised Oude Werf as the “perfect location to mix wine farms and Stellenbosch town”, while another appreciated being “only a 12-minute taxi ride from the main vineyards for an amazing day’s wine tasting.”

Return to Church Street

The vineyards may be one of the reasons people come to Stellenbosch, but they are rarely the only reason they return.

One of the advantages of staying in the heart of town is that you don’t have to choose between the Winelands and Stellenbosch itself. You can spend the day exploring vineyards, cellar doors and mountain valleys, then return to Church Street in time for dinner, a stroll through town or a quiet glass of wine back at the hotel.

The best days in the Winelands don’t begin with a list. They begin with a conversation.