Waterford Estate

The basics

Waterford Estate offers a selection of tastings, ranging from a single glass of its flagship red blend, The Jem, to a wine and chocolate experience and a sampling of its cellar collection. More adventurous visitors can explore the estate and enjoy tastings on a guided hike or a wine drive safari before refueling at the on-site restaurant, Salt. Waterford Estate can be visited independently or as part of a guided wine-tasting tour of the region from Cape Town.

Things to know before you go

• Advanced bookings are recommended for tastings, while the wine walk and wine drive safari must be booked a week in advance.
• Children under the age of 10 are not permitted on the wine walk or wine drive safari.
• The restaurant, Salt, offers platters and main course meals.

How to get there

Waterford Estate is located on Blaauwklippen Road, south of Stellenbosch, around 34 miles (54 kilometers) from Cape Town. Take the N2 to the R310 to the R44. An easy day trip from Cape Town, the estate is included on several wine-tasting tours of the region, making for a hassle-free day of wine tasting.

When to get there

Waterford Estate is open daily from mid-morning to late afternoon. Most tastings last from 15 minutes to an hour. The wine walk and wine drive safari are usually available daily at 10am and 2pm. Salt is open from Tuesday to Sunday. The estate offers special events throughout the year, including sunset sessions with live music, shows and festivals, and special dinners. Check the calendar for the latest schedule.

Wine walk and wine drive safari

Waterford Estate offers two immersive wine-tasting experiences. On the Porcupine Trail Wine Walk, visitors are guided through the vineyards and natural fynbos, all while enjoying a tasting of three wines, a light lunch, and a wine and chocolate experience. The Wine Dive Safari offers a 2–3 hour journey by safari vehicle, a handcrafted platter designed to pair with the wine tasting, a sample of The Jem, and a wine and chocolate experience.