Reasons to visit Zevenwacht Wine Estate in Stellenbosch

Tastings, country dining, accommodation, spa & more

Last updated: 26 July 2024 

A wine farm worth the visit along the Stellenbosch Wine Route, simply because of all you can do there, is Zevenwacht. Country dining in an 1800 manor house; mountain bike trails; braai baskets under the oak trees; country inn accommodation... You might just have to stay for a day (or two) to tick everything off the list. Here’s 10 reasons to visit Zevenwacht Wine Estate. 

1. IT’S ON THE STELLENBOSCH WINE ROUTE  

Zevenwacht is an expansive estate close to Kuils River, just at the start of the Stellenbosch Wine Route. It’s truly a beautiful piece of land, with winding roads under a canopy of trees, a lush forest (with squirrels) and lawns next to a dam. There’s also a playpark for the kids.

It’s a 35 minute drive from the CBD, so you don’t have to go too far to explore one of Cape Town’s most popular wine regions. 

The farm is over 300 years old. Image: Zevenwacht Wine Estate

2. FROM EVERYDAY WINES TO DINNER PARTY BOTTLES

The 7even range is an easy, everyday drinking wine. The 7even Sauvignon Blanc 2023 and the 7even Rood 2021 both received Hidden Gem and Good Value awards in the Platter’s Wine Guide. A standout is the 7even Pinotage; it goes down well with grilled snoek or at a braai with friends (all R85 per bottle).

The Z Collection wines, on the other hand, are made in small batches and really made to wow at dinner parties.  These wines have garnered prestigious accolades and contributed to Zevenwacht receiving the Most Successful Producer at the Investec Trophy Wine Show in 2023.

The Syrah 2022 is stunning with pepper crusted kudu fillet or slow roasted springbok shanks, and the Reserve 2021, winner of the Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-style Red Blend at the Investec 2024 Trophy wine Show, is complex with wet tobacco, blackberry and liquorice.

Zevenwacht is also the home of JAN wines. Jan-Hendrick van der Westhuizen studied and worked on the farm and has collaborated with the Cellar Master, Hagen Viljoen, to create a white and red wine.

Zevenwacht has a range of wines, from affordable everyday labels to top shelf dinner party bottles. Image: Zevenwacht Wine Estate

3. WINE TASTINGS NEXT TO THE BARREL CELLAR  

Zevenwacht’s tasting room overlooks the barrel cellar where the wines are matured and produced. There are five ranges of wines that you can taste. 7even, Estate, Tin Mine, Z Collection and JAN. 

There’s also a chocolate truffle and wine pairing as well as a cheese and wine pairing. Try the baked camembert with fresh herbs, honey, nuts and a toasted baguette or the cheese and charcuterie platter. The kids are sorted too: Their tasting includes strawberry and chocolate milk, a handmade pizza and two handmade animal chocolates. 


The tasting room has a platters and small plates menu. Image: Zevenwacht Wine Estate

4. COUNTRY DINING IN A CAPE DUTCH MANOR HOUSE  

If you’d prefer bigger bites, then Zevenwacht’s restaurant offers upmarket country-style meals in its Cape Dutch manor house, which dates back to 1800. The interior is cosy with two fireplaces and an eighteenth century ambience; while the outdoor patio overlooks the surrounding trees, hydrangea bushes, and a tranquil lake. 

Familiar menu items include West Coast mussels (in a Cape Malay sauce with coconut crumble and flatbread), lamb shank (with smoked cheese croquettes and aubergine), and a mushroom and chickpea ragout pot with semolina dumplings.

The restaurant patio overlooks a scenic lake. Image: Zevenwacht Wine Estate

5. COUNTRY INN WITH VINEYARD VIEWS 

The country inn rooms have a private terrace that looks over the surrounding vineyards and Table Bay and False Bay. It’s idyllic at sunset with a glass of complimentary pinotage. 

Another option is to stay in one of the seven vineyard cottages. Each cottage has three double rooms with en-suite bathrooms and a cosy lounge. Or stay in the self-catering chalet, set high on the slopes and surrounded by vineyards. 

Guests can enjoy a complimentary wine tasting and the guests-only swimming pool and sauna. Other activities include cellar tours, vineyard walks, mountain biking or the day spa.

The country inn overlooks the vineyards. Image: Zevenwacht Wine Estate

6. TRAILS WITH A TIN MINE JUMP  

Zevenwacht is a member of the Bottelary Hills Conservancy with 84 hectares of the farm allocated to the conservancy. They’re one of the few private farms open to visitors for walking, running and cycling.

Designated mountain bike trails form part of the greater Bottelary Hills Conservancy and the MTB routes are allowed via controlled access to the conservancy along the well-marked trails. BHCMTB Day Permits are available from Zevenwacht Security, or Annual Permits can be purchased online. 

The downhill track on Zevenwacht is one of a few tracks in the area where Western Cape Downhill holds races. This track hosts the infamous Tin Mine jump, which takes cyclists over the opening of a Tin Mine shaft. You do not need a Bottelary Hills Conservancy MTB permit to ride the downhill track. These permits, as well as the Walking Trail permits, can be purchased from the Zevewwacht Tasting Room.

All cyclists, walkers, hikers and runners require a permit to enter the estate and make use of the designated routes and trails. 

7. YOU CAN BRAAI UNDER OAK TREES  

Prefer cheese and wine to exhilarating mine jumps? You can pick up a basket and picnic on the tree-shaded lawns sloping down to the lake. There are a few options, like the farmhouse or vegetarian baskets, which include a selection of fresh breads, cheeses, patés, hummus, and salads.

There’s even a braai basket with everything you need to make your own braai under the shade of the large oak trees (including wood, firelighters and a braai grid). There’s also a kids’ basket and playground nearby. 

The picnic baskets include a bottle of wine, of course. Image: Zevenwacht Wine Estate

8. SPA WITH SEASONAL SPECIALS  

As if there isn’t enough to do at Zevenwacht, there’s also a spa on site. Bakwena Spa has seasonal specials and fantastic packages year round; like the full day spa package which includes six treatments, breakfast, lunch and limited complimentary drinks. Or the night spa for two which includes two treatments, dinner and limited complimentary drinks. 

There’s even packages for special events like bridal showers, baby showers, ladies day out and much more. 

9. THERE’S WEDDING VENUES, TOO  

Zevenwacht Wine Estate is the epitome of a dream wedding venue, offering beautiful lawn ceremonies and enchanting forest ceremonies.

There are also two reception venues. The Alfresco venue, with its thatched roof in the forest and idyllic surroundings adjacent to the lake, is suitable for weddings with 100 or more guests. The Lapa, set in a wooded glade above the lake, accommodates a minimum of 40 guests in season and 30 out of season.

See the Zevenwacht weddings website for more information. 

If you’re looking for a wedding in a forest setting or a beautiful lawn ceremony overlooking a lake, Zevenwacht might be a top choice. Image: Striped Fox Photography

10. CONFERENCE ROOMS FOR 8 TO 64 PEOPLE  

Zevenwacht also has various conference rooms which can hold between eight and 64 people. The facilities include the Auditorium which seats 64 (perfect for large gatherings, presentations, and seminars) with its high-tech audiovisual and computer equipment and comfortable seating. 

In addition to the Auditorium, there are versatile spaces that can be tailored to suit your specific requirements, whether it’s a corporate meeting, workshop, or private function. See more information on the Zevenwacht website. 

VISIT ZEVENWACHT WINE ESTATE 

Zevenwacht restaurant is open: Monday - Saturday, 7.00am to 11pm. Sunday, 7.00am to 5pm
Tasting room is open: Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. Saturday - Sunday, 9.30am to 5pm
Find it: Langverwacht Road, Kuils River
Contact on: 021 900 5700; info@zevenwacht.co.za

By Julia Rowley

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