The Cape is definitely the wine capital of South Africa, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy visiting stunning wine estates when in KwaZulu Natal.
These three farms are set in the cooler areas of KZN between the Midlands and the Drakensberg, so you’ll still get to enjoy beautiful views while sipping on a series of delicious wines.
If you’re thinking of breakfast while reading this, check out 5 breakfast spots in and around the Midlands.
Also read: Cheers! South Africa’s wonderful wine routes
1. Cathedral Peak Wine Estate
Cathedral Peak Wine Estate is set in the central Drakensberg in the middle of the Winterton Valley. This boutique wine estate began in 2007 with the pinotage and merlot grapes and has progressed, now including cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, petit Verdot, and sauvignon blanc.
Below the wine estate are views of the vineyards, a large dam, and 3000 ha of game farms that you can enjoy while tasting their wine selections.
- Wine tasting hours: Wednesday – Monday | 9:30 – 16:00 (book in advance)
- Fees: R10 per tasting
- Location: Unnamed Road, Winterton, 3340, South Africa
- Website: cathpeakwines.com
- Contact: [email protected]
Also read: A foodie’s guide to Durban: 7 Restaurants and cafes to visit
But let’s stop for a minute. Do you want to know about the places where you eat in the surrounding areas of Kwazulu-Natal? Then take a look at this guide to the top Hillcrest restaurants.
Now let’s go on.
2. Abingdon Wine Estate
Picture: Abingdon Wine Estate
Abingdon Wine Estate is a pioneering one, being KwaZulu Natal’s first farm to produce a certified estate wine. Their first vines were planted in 2004, and their maiden vintage was produced in 2007. The estate ‘produces certified single vineyard estate wines from 100% Abingdon grapes.’
Sit beneath the big old oak trees and look onto the vines while wine tasting and enjoying a gourmet harvest board. On those chilly Midlands days, use their outdoor fire pits or indoor fireplaces.
- Wine tasting hours: Friday – Saturday | 11:00 – 12:00; 15:00 – 16:00
- Cost: R120 p p to taste 4 wines
- Location: Abingdon Estate, 7, District Road, Lions River
- Website: abingdonestate.co.za
- Contact: [email protected]
Also read: Babylonstoren: all you need to know
3. Highgate Wine Estate
Highgate Wine Estate offers 100% estate wines in the heart of the KZN Midlands. Their first commercially produced wine was bottled and sold in 2016. Take a tour through the vineyards and cellars, book a picnic in the forest, or enjoy a delicious wine tasting overlooking their picturesque scenery.
- Wine tasting hours: Friday – Sunday | 11:00 – 16:00 (First come first serve)
- Cost: R120 p p to taste 4 wines
- Location: R103 Dargle, Lions River
- Website: highgatewineestate.co.za
- Contact: [email protected]
Pictures: GettyImages
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ALSO READ: Enjoy the best of both worlds: Five wine farms with hikes and tastings
