Wine Town Stellenbosch Returns as Stellenbosch Wine Routes Celebrates 55 Years

Wine Town Stellenbosch is back this winter, bringing nine days of exceptional wine, food and lifestyle experiences to the Cape Winelands as Stellenbosch Wine Routes celebrates its 55th anniversary.

Running from 25 July to 2 August, the annual event will once again showcase the best of the region, culminating in the Stellenbosch Wine Festival on 31 July and 1 August.

This year’s programme includes a host of special anniversary experiences, collaborations and exclusive events celebrating more than five decades of South African wine tourism.

Nine days of wine, food and experiences

Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or visiting Stellenbosch for the first time, Wine Town Stellenbosch offers an opportunity to explore the region through curated tastings, winemaker experiences, restaurant specials and outdoor activities.

Visitors can enjoy specialised wine tours, workshops, vertical tastings, winemaker lunches and dinners, along with exclusive tastings hosted specifically for the event.

Beyond the wine, guests can experience Stellenbosch’s renowned restaurants, galleries, cafés, vineyards, accommodation and outdoor attractions.

Anniversary celebrations begin with a run through the vineyards

Wine Town officially gets underway on Saturday, 25 July, with the inaugural Wine Town Run/Walk at Dornier Wine Estate in partnership with Runventure.

Participants can choose between a scenic five-kilometre or 10-kilometre route through the vineyards.

To celebrate its 55th anniversary, Stellenbosch Wine Routes has also launched the Celebrate With Us campaign in partnership with selected restaurants.

Guests dining at participating restaurants will receive a complimentary glass of Stellenbosch wine with their meal, inviting visitors to raise a toast to more than half a century of exceptional wines, memorable dining and shared experiences.

Wine experiences not to miss

The Wine Town Stellenbosch programme features a diverse range of experiences across the region.

Highlights include:

• Wilder as die Wildtuin, where chefs Bertus Basson, Drikus Brink and Michael Fuller present a venison-focused dining experience paired with Stellenbosch wines.
• Journey into Chenin Blanc at DeMorgenzon Wine Estate, exploring the influence of terroir on the estate’s renowned Chenin Blanc.
• Muratie’s Retro Rouge Winter Wine Fest, celebrating the estate’s history with vintage wines, food and live music.
• Simonsig’s Vintage Day, marking the 55th anniversary of Kaapse Vonkel with rare vintage tastings, food and live entertainment.
• A Sip and Paint Experience at Clos Malverne Restaurant, combining creativity with wine tasting.
• Delheim Wine Estate’s Live Music and Cheese Fondue Sundays, featuring authentic Swiss-style fondue in its cosy underground tasting cellar.
• Morgenster’s midweek Quiz Night, pairing wine with friendly competition.
• A brunch with Blaauwklippen winemaker Narina Cloete as she celebrates a decade with the estate.

Stellenbosch Wine Festival returns

The highlight of the programme is the Stellenbosch Wine Festival, one of South Africa’s oldest wine festivals, which takes place at the historic Stellenbosch Town Hall.

The festival will be held on:

• Friday, 31 July, from 17:00 to 21:00.
• Saturday, 1 August, from 14:00 to 18:00.

More than 60 wine producers and over 200 wines will be available for tasting.

Each ticket includes 20 tasting tokens, allowing guests to explore the wines at their own pace.

Food is also included, with chefs Bertus Basson and Adele Grewar preparing a harvest table, signature small plates and desserts throughout the event. Live music and an Aquasky water station complete the experience.

Tickets cost R600 online or R650 at the door.

Stay longer and save

Visitors can also take advantage of exclusive accommodation specials available during Wine Town Stellenbosch.

Selected properties are offering discounts of between 15% and 20% throughout the event, allowing guests to extend their stay and enjoy everything the region has to offer.

The full programme, booking information and pricing are available on the official Wine Town Stellenbosch website.

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