Wine Tasting at the Saxenburg Estate

Savour one of South Africa’s finest Shirazes alongside other outstanding reds and whites at this unassuming family farm

In the same amount of time it takes to send out a few emails or mow a patch of lawn, you could travel worlds away and find yourself sipping on some of the finest wines South Africa has to offer. Lying on the outskirts of Stellenbosch in the hills above Kuils River, the historical Saxenburg farm is a mere 30 minutes away from Cape Town, and its proximity to the city leaves town dwellers with no excuse not to hop over one free Friday afternoon for an exceptional sampling session.

Most well known for its superbly smooth Shiraz, the estate crafts a number of other exceptional reds and whites, and during the tasting, visitors can sample between four and six of the very best vinos in the farm’s premium Private Collection. The knowledgeable hostess at the sampling centre will walk guests through the unforgettable flavours and notes of the voluptuous Cabernet Sauvignon (a former vintage won the best Cab in the world), the rich Merlot, the smoky Pinotage, the crisp Sauvignon Blanc, the wonderfully balanced oaked Chardonnay and, of course, the statement Shiraz.

All of these wines have been nurtured with love by champion winemaker Nico van der Merwe, who’s worked at the winery for a full 25 years and is now practically part of the founding family. While his well-informed touch and his tendency to only use a small percentage of the finest grapes in the vineyard certainly has a lot to do with the stature of the vintages, he attributes their high quality to good soil, a great climate and an ideal location. 

Should patrons get a little peckish while they’re treating their taste buds to Saxenburg’s creations, they have the option of ordering a cheese platter for two, which comes with a glass of the entry-level Guinea Fowl Collection red or white blend (tip: while you’re at the farm, look out for live guinea fowl as well as zebra, springbok, wildebeest and more).

The tasting room itself is rather modest, but we guarantee that the wine will make time spent here especially enjoyable and the short 30-minute trip to the farm well worth it.

Pricing and booking info for the standard wine tasting at Saxenburg

Wine tasting at Saxenburg estate is very affordable: it costs R35p/p to sample six vintages from the Private Collection or R20p/p to sample four. The cheese platter for two goes for R70, and, as mentioned, this price includes a complimentary glass of red or white. Booking is not necessary unless you are a group of 10 people or more, in which case, you can make a reservation by emailing info@saxenburg.co.za.

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Read more about Saxenburg wine farm in Stellenbosch.

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