Things to do at Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch

Everything you never knew about Spier unpacked by us

Last updated: Tuesday, 14 January 2024

So you think you know Spier Wine Farm? Yes, it’s one of the best and most-visited wine farms in Stellenbosch and the Winelands. But did you know about its 21 Cape Dutch gables and the elegant wine collection named after them? The over 3 500 art pieces (including a replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà made from mieliepap), the art gallery-like tasting room, the singing stones and the million wildflower walk over the bridge? 

Let us re-introduce you: Here are 21 things to do at Spier. Many of which will delight and surprise you. 

Spier in Stellenbosch has a plethora of experiences. Image: Spier

1. WINE TASTING IN AN “ART GALLERY”

The chocolate-and-wine tasting is popular for many reasons, especially because you get the chance to also taste the wines only available at the farm, like Spier’s elegant Prestige Cuvée. Also, you’ll discover Spier’s impressive collection of mid-range and high-end wines, in an art-filled tasting room with an eye-catching chandelier made from 334 recycled Spier wine bottles.  

Spier's tasting room walls are lined with artworks from the Creative Block project. Image: Spier

2. PICNIC ON FARMER ANGUS CHARCUTERIE 

You can pre-order a basket or create your own at the Picnickery. Baskets are filled with farm fresh treats like a garden veg salad with labneh and dukkah, Farmer Angus charcuterie, boerenkaas, marinated olives, lavash, a fresh baguette and a chilled bottle of Spier wine. The Werf, Spier’s farmyard with its ancient oaks, is a lovely place to picnic. As is the Riverside area on the grassy banks of the dam. 

Picnic under the oak trees on the Werf. Image: Spier

3. THE BEST PASTEIS DE NATA 

Spier has many eateries on site. Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery is favoured for breakfast, pizza, beef brisket, and pork belly with apple ketchup. Their pastéis de nata, Portuguese tarts, are flaky, creamy, and not too sweet.

Vadas is famous for their pasteis de nata. Image: Spier

4. FARM-GROWN PLANTS AT COWSHED SHOP

There are Barrydale woven goods, organic cosmetics, jewellery, candles, ceramics and Farmer Angus’s bottled scrambled eggs at the farm shop, along with other unique finds. The Soil Room –  a mini botanical room attached to the Cowshed – has indoor plants and garden accessories.

Exclusive indoor plants are available at the Soil Room. Image: Spier

5. HERB-INFUSED MASSAGE AT THE SPA

Choose from facials, massages, and pamper packages, some including platters and wine. Treatments are done using Vine Therapy products, which are made with local herbs and natural ingredients. 

One standout option is the Malachite Facial (with collagen eye treatment), using malachite (a green gemstone used for deep energy cleaning) crystal extract, baobab fruit powder, and omega-rich ingredients to detox your skin.

Relax and recharge at the Spier Spa. Image: Spier

6. TOUR OF ICONIC 21 GABLES

Stroll Spier’s brick paths and learn about its 332-year history from information boards along the way. You’ll see the 21 Cape Dutch gables – the largest collection on any South African wine farm – at, for example, the restored Manor House and the Old Wine Cellar, the oldest dated wine cellar in the country.

One of 21 gables found at Spier. Image: Spier

7. ELEMENTAL PLAY GARDEN FOR KIDS

It’s a natural playground kids love. Its four sections represent water, air, fire, and earth, all connected by a spiralling waterway inspired by the Fibonacci Sequence. With indigenous plants, a slide, crawl tunnel, wind sculpture, swing bridge, and splash-friendly water.

The Elemental Garden’s spiralling waterway. Image: Spier

8.  MILLION WILDFLOWER WALK

The River Walk, designed by landscape architect, Patrick Watson, and horticulturalist, Wilton Sikhosana, is a short, scenic trail that crosses a bridge along the south bank of the Eerste River. Over a million wildflowers, including proteas and other indigenous wildflowers, line the path. If you're staying at the hotel, you can join a morning run on this route.

Proteas planted along the River Walk at Spier. Image: Spier

9. SEGWAY TOUR & WINE TASTING 

See Spier’s vineyards and eco-friendly farm from a unique angle on a Segway tour. Zip past the vines accompanied by Spier’s free-roaming chickens on either a 1-hour or 2-hour tour that ends with a wine tasting. 

Chickens roaming freely through the Spier vineyards. Image: Spier

10. PLAY THE SINGING STONES

Artist Jenna Burchell’s 12 interactive stone sculptures, known as the singing stones or The Songsmith, are a free, family-friendly experience near Spier’s wine tasting area. Gently touch each stone to hear its unique sound.

Jenna Burchell’s singing stones art installation. Image: Spier

11. CRAFTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS

The Craft Market sells handmade souvenirs created by local crafters. Many of them use recycled materials to create these one-of-a-kind jewellery and decorations. The makers love to share the stories behind their collaborative projects, including how certain items, such as a pig crafted from Coke cans, were brought to life.

The Craft Market sits next to the Spier Dam. Image: Spier

12. BECOME AN ART COLLECTOR

Art is everywhere at Spier - even floating on the dam. Artworks for sale are displayed in the wine tasting area and the Riverhouse, where you can buy pieces from the Creative Block art project (it supports emerging, local artists) directly off the wall.

"Ophelia" by Nandipha Mntambo floats in Spier’s dam. Image: Spier

13. SCULPTURE MADE OF MIELIES

Inside the Manor House is the Mieliepap Pietà, created in 2004 by Cape Town artist, Wim Botha. Part of the Spier Art Collection – one of the largest in South Africa – is a mirror image of Michelangelo’s Pietà, made with mieliepap. 

Wim Botha’s Mieliepap Pietà inside the Manor House at Spier. Image: Spier

14. WORK “REMOTELY?” FROM THE WERF

Connect automatically to Spier’s free wifi available across the farm for on-the-go virtual meetings, catching up on admin work, or posting snaps of your picnic on the Werf to the Gram.

The sprawling Werf laws at Spier. Image: Spier

15. BRAINSTORM IN A ROOM WITH 400 ARTWORKS

There are many team-building venues at Spier, all artfully decorated. Like the Yellowwood Lounge (40+ people), the Riverhouse with 400 Creative Block artworks (16–30) and the cosy Riverhouse Studio (up to 12). Your team can have lunches on the terrace, picnics on the Werf, or meals at Vadas, with activities like Segway tours and wine blending.

Creative Block artworks adorn the walls of the Riverhouse. Image: Spier

16. BUBBLY & PREGO ROLL WITH A DAM VIEW 

Take in the views of the Spier Dam with a glass of Spier’s Cap Classique at Bubbles & Braai. This pop-up has a menu with braai-inspired options, including Spitbraai Karoo lamb buns, prego rolls, Farmer Angus boerie rolls and burgers, and artisanal platters to pair with your drinks.

Boeries and bubbles at the Bubbles & Braai Bar at Spier. Image: Spier

17. WINEMAKER’S DINNER IN THE MANOR HOUSE 

During winter, Spier hosts themed Winemaker’s Dinners in the restored 1822 Manor House. Each four-course meal is paired with Spier’s award-winning wines, with the chance to meet the winemakers. Past themes have included Cape Classics Heritage Dinner, and Roots and Regeneration with Farmer Angus. Seating is limited to 22 guests and booking is a must.

Agapanthus in front of the Manor House at Spier. Image: Spier

18. HARVEST IN THE ECO-GARDEN

When you book the self-harvest experience, you get to see Spier’s commitment to ethical farming. It happens in the Food Garden (8am to 11am, Tuesday to Sunday), where you’ll walk among free-roaming ducks, pick fresh seasonal produce like lettuce, root vegetables, and cauliflower, and chat with the gardeners.

The Food Garden at Spier. Image: Spier

19. SPLASH IN A MOSAIC FOUNTAIN 

Always bring a towel and a change of clothes because the kids will be drawn to Uthomi, the large-scale mosaic fountain artwork by Lizette Chirrime, located behind the Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery. This quiet and hidden spot is a safe and fun space for children to play.

The Uthomi mosaic fountain is behind Vadas. Image: Spier

20. ROTATING ART EXHIBITS

Spier’s Old Wine Cellar, built in 1767, hosts rotating art exhibitions every three months. The exhibitions often feature interactive works, such as Berco Wilsenach’s “Blind Astronomer,” where visitors can touch and engage with the pieces. 

The Old Wine Cellar at Spier. Image: Spier

21. NEW CAPE-LUXE 5-STAR HOTEL 

The new 5-star Spier Hotel, set to open in March 2025 after a major renovation, will offer luxurious rooms designed with natural tones, featuring private fireplaces and local art. The hotel will also have two restaurants and three bars.

A fireplace in the newly renovated Spier Hotel rooms. Image: Spier

VISIT SPIER

Spier is open: Monday-Sunday, 9am-5pm
Find it: R310 Baden Powell Dr | Stellenbosch | Western Cape
Book: www.spier.co.za
Contact on: 021 809 1100

By Marisa Crous

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