A family day trip to the Cape Winelands

While planning our multi-generational day trip, I quickly realised there is surprisingly little information online about family-focused Winelands itineraries. After thorough research – and invaluable guidance from the Wilderness Touring team – we curated what turned out to be the perfect day out. Every member of the family had an incredible experience, made even better by the expertise of our Wilderness guide and the comfort of the vehicle.

Wilderness Touring specialises in personalised trips that are expertly guided from start to finish. Whether you want to design a bespoke itinerary at your own pace and around your interests, or simply choose from one of their thoughtfully curated options, they make the whole experience effortless.

After being picked up from our accommodation, we made our way to the renowned Spier Wine Farm– but not for the obvious reasons. We were let in on one of its best-kept secrets: the Spier Food Garden. Open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday between 09h00 and 11h00, the garden invites visitors to harvest their own fresh produce.

We all eagerly joined in, having a blast pulling rainbow-coloured carrots straight from the soil. We also harvested beets, green beans, cucumbers, spring onions, and more – ingredients that were later turned into a hearty lamb stew we enjoyed the following day.

After our ‘hard’ labour, we took a relaxed stroll around the Spier Estate, enjoying flat whites from the deli and browsing the beautiful local crafts in the shop.

A definite highlight for my son was discovering the Singing Stones, an interactive outdoor sound installation by artist Jenna Burchell. Twelve ancient rocks have been transformed into musical sculptures and installed along the dam near Spier’s wine tasting room. The three-part series is named after significant prehistoric sites – the Cradle of Humankind, the Vredefort Dome, and the Great Karoo – adding a layer of storytelling and wonder that captivated both children and adults alike.

We were warmly welcomed by the friendly staff at Hazendal Wine Estate, one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms, established in 1699 and nestled in the Bottelary Hills of Stellenbosch. The team introduced us to the impressive array of experiences on offer across the estate, which seamlessly blends heritage with innovation. In addition to a luxury hotel, restaurant, tasting room, and cigar lounge, Hazendal is home to the Wonderdal Interactive Edutainment children’s area, a vintage car collection, a driving range, an 18-hole par-3 golf course, and an adventure golf course. With so much to explore, it would be easy to spend an entire day at Hazendal alone.

We were, however, working to a schedule and eager to experience as much of the Winelands as possible. While the adults enjoyed a wine tasting, the children headed off to the state-of-the-art Wonderdal kids’ centre. Here, parents can check their children in with complete peace of mind, allowing them to play and explore while the adults enjoy other activities. 

For those less interested in wine, we wanted to include a different kind of tasting experience – one that everyone in the family could enjoy (the grandparents in particular). And after a busy morning, we figured you can never go wrong with pizza.

The Banhoek Chilli Oil Company is set in one of the most picturesque corners of the Stellenbosch Winelands, nestled in the Banhoek Valley and surrounded by dramatic mountain views. Here, we enjoyed a chilli oil tasting paired with delicious wood-fired pizzas, the perfect combination after working up an appetite.

Even my nine-year-old joined in, sampling some of the milder oils – possibly encouraged by the irresistible ciabatta bread bites. The venue is wonderfully family-friendly, with a play area for younger children and expansive grassy lawns shaded by trees, ideal for relaxed afternoons or intimate events.

While we opted to enjoy lunch at the Taste Kitchen, the property also features a tasting lounge for those just passing through and looking for a quick yet memorable chilli oil tasting experience.

Being in the heart of the Winelands, with roughly 560 wineries spread across the various wine routes of the Western Cape, it’s worth including another estate on your itinerary. We decided on the family-owned Delheim Wine Estate, which is as dedicated to conservation as it is to winemaking. Large areas of pristine mountain fynbos are actively protected on the estate, including the rare Boland Granite Fynbos, along with more than 120 indigenous plant species and a treasured yellowwood forest. Since conservation is at the heart of Wilderness, it felt particularly fitting to include Delheim in our visit – as both share a deep commitment to preserving the natural environment while offering enriching experiences.

One of Delheim’s most unique offerings is its Wine and Fynbos Cupcake Tasting, where each cupcake is infused with flavours inspired by indigenous fynbos plants found on the estate and thoughtfully paired with a Delheim wine.

Visitors can also enjoy a delicious, hearty lunch featuring dishes such as traditional Cape Malay curry while watching sunbirds sip nectar from the lush gardens. Children may even have the chance to meet the owner’s dog, Chewbakka, as in our case, when the owner kindly asked if my son would like to play with the dog using its ball, adding to the estate’s welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.

If you find yourself in the Winelands with time to visit just one wine estate, Delheim comes highly recommended. The estate also played a key role in establishing the Stellenbosch Wine Route in 1971, recognised as the first official wine route in South Africa – and one of the first in the world.

What would a family holiday be without ice cream? Following a brilliant suggestion from our guide, we stopped in the heart of Stellenbosch at Kirsten’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream. Founded in 1679, Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s oldest towns, renowned for its Cape Dutch architecture, oak-lined streets, and rich cultural heritage. A long-standing centre of wine, education, and the arts, it makes the perfect backdrop for exploring the Winelands.

We sat on the sidewalk outside the shop, savouring our two-scoop sugar cones while watching people stroll by, and soaking up the lively café culture of this vibrant student town as the heat of the day began to fade.

Although there are countless other places to explore in the Winelands, this day gave us priceless quality time together as a family. Wilderness Touring Cape Town made it all possible, providing a stress-free, fun-filled experience that we’ll never forget. Between the laughter, the stories, and the insights shared by our knowledgeable guide, it was an enriching, truly South African adventure – not to be missed.

More family favourites in the winelands