Helderberg Wine Route

Photo courtesy Ralph Pina

The Helderberg region has its own wine route which incorporates more than 20 wine estates.

Somerset West is the gateway to the winelands, and Vergelegen (+27 (0)21 847 1334; www.vergelegen.co.za) and Morgenster Wine and Olive Estate (+27 (0)21 852 1738; www.morgenster.co.za) are two notable wineries in the area.

Along the Helderberg wine route you’ll find Avontuur Estate (+27 (0)21 855 3450; www.avontuurestate.co.za), an award-winning winery situated between Somerset West and Stellenbosch, Bredell Wines (+27 (0)21 842 2478; www.bredells.co.za), renowned for their red and port wines, and Longridge Winery (+27 (0)21 855 2004; www.longridge.co.za/winery), based on the longest ridge of the Helderberg mountains (hence the name) and one of the country’s most established boutique wineries.

Other estates you might like to try in the Helderberg region – many with accommodation and eateries – include Stellenbosch-based outlets: Zandberg 5-star Boutique Accommodation and Wine Estate (+27 (0)21 842 2945); Eikendal Vineyards (+27 (0)21 855 1422); Ken Forrester (+27 (0)21 855 2374); Lourensford Winery (+27 (0)21 847 2200); Mount Rozier Wine Estate (+27 (0)83 299 3056); Slaley Farm and Wines (+27 (0)21 865 2123); Boekenhoutskloof (+27 (0)21 876 3320); Yonder Hill (+27 (0)21 855 1008) and Zevenwacht in Kuils River (+27 (0)21 903 5123/4).