Cavalli Estate: 8 Idyllic Ways to Experience this Elegant Helderberg Wine Farm

Dramatic sculptures and an immaculate avenue of plane trees welcome you to Cavalli Estate, along with manicured fynbos gardens and expansive mountain views. The Green Star-rated contemporary building is home to a light-filled restaurant, a wine-tasting terrace and an events venue, perched right on the water of a wide dam, where winding paths lead through glorious indigenous gardens. As for the magnificent thoroughbreds that give the family-owned estate its name, you might glimpse them in the paddocks and arena of the world-class equestrian facility.

Perfectly positioned at the foot of the majestic Helderberg mountains, in between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, Cavalli is at once meticulously curated and embedded in the natural landscape, the family’s commitment to conservation aligning with a love of art and the pursuit of excellence in wine and food.

Here are eight ways to experience this beautiful Helderberg wine farm.

Wine-tasting on the terrace

Set on soils rich in koffieklip and cooled by False Bay breezes, Cavalli’s terroir produces wines of elegance, freshness and expressive fruit. Winemaker Rianie Strydom brings a wealth of experience to the cellar, “Wine shouldn’t be a pretentious thing,” she says. “It should not be intimidating, and it should be enjoyed by all.” She’s renowned for her Bordeaux-style blends, such as the award-winning Cavalli Warlord, and expresses place and philosophy with precision and character in the rest of the stable of wines, which include chenin blanc, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.

In summer, sit out on the view-drenched terrace looking over vineyards, fynbos gardens and the sun-kissed peaks of the Helderberg mountains for your wine-tasting, perhaps with a generous platter to sustain your wine journey. In winter, head downstairs in the glass-walled lift to the stylish subterranean tasting lounge where a fireplace keeps things cosy.
Cost R100 (3 wines)
R175 (6 wines)
R295 (cheese platter to share)
R375 (charcuterie platter to share)
Good to know All tastings are on a first come, first served basis
Times Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm

To take your wine adventure to the next level, embark on the sophisticated oyster pairing, where four different oysters are matched to four wines: from tempura and mebos with the MCC, to pineapple and citrus with the chardonnay. It’s a one-of-a-kind culinary experience of note.
Good to know There’s also a brand new canapé pairing, should you prefer an alternative to oysters
Cost R295 (4 wines + pairings)
Times Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 3pm

Dining for all seasons

Creativity and sustainability are the watchwords of chef Lucas Carstens, who crafts vibrant seasonal menus from vegetables grown in the estate’s heirloom gardens, foraged herbs and ingredients sourced from local farms. As spring turns to summer, you’ll taste the transition on each beautifully presented plate. The whole dining experience (whether you go for the chef’s tasting menu or the two- or three-course à la carte menu) is thoughtful, elegant and a feast for all the senses.
See the chef’s menu
See the à la carte menu
Times Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – 2.30pm; 6pm – 8pm
Book through DinePlan

Picnic panache

Cavalli’s green lawns edged by fragrant fynbos plantings are the perfect setting for an afternoon of leisurely bliss. Slow down and sip Cavalli wines on a blanket and cushions under the shade of an umbrella and dip into the gourmet hamper of picnic goodies as you soak up the views. This blissfully relaxed afternoon ritual is a not-to-be-missed highlight of a Winelands summer.
See the picnic menu
Cost R795 for two
Good to know Book 24 hours in advance. Only eight baskets (for two) per day. There is a vegetarian option.
Times Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – 4pm
Enquire Now

Visit the stables

The name Cavalli means “horses” in Italian, and the estate was built as a tribute to their strength, elegance and grace. If you’ve been admiring the magnificent thoroughbreds and racehorses from afar, a complimentary guided tour around the stables before or after a wine-tasting is your chance to get a behind-the-scenes peek of their world-class equestrian facilities.
Cost Free (Wednesday + Friday);
R150 (Saturday, includes feeding carrots and apples to the horses)
Free (children under 12)
Good to know Booking essential. Limited places.
There are also more extensive private stable tours available by arrangement (for a fee), including exclusive time with the stable manager and meeting the horses.
Times Wednesday + Friday + Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Enquire Now

Fynbos meanders

The indigenous gardens surrounding the main building extend to create a living canvas of the Cape Floral Kingdom: over 10 hectares of fynbos, waterwise gardens and a conserved tract of endangered renosterveld, where owl and bat boxes and raptor posts attest to the estate’s commitment to biodiversity and regenerative farming in harmony with nature.

Art for the heart

Eye-catching sculptures and art pull you in throughout any visit to Cavalli, but dive deeper and take the lift downstairs to the subterranean art gallery (next to the wine lounge) where you’ll discover the latest exhibition of contemporary art (which is also for sale).

A perfect proposal

Romance sparkles in the air and in the exquisite gardens at Cavalli, where the team have thoughtfully curated two options for the perfect proposal. The Vineyard package creates an idyllic setup in a private vineyard spot with a basket for two and a bottle of bubbly. The Fynbos starts with a setup in a secluded corner of the fynbos gardens, after which you celebrate the “Yes” at a private terrace table, with the chef’s set menu complete with wine pairings. Both options allow you exclusive access for a professional photo shoot to capture the moment (photographer not included)
Cost Vineyard package: R4 895
Fynbos package: R8 700
Enquire Now

Sunset sessions

The first Friday of each month sees live music added to the mix. Book a terrace table to raise a glass to the weekend, and listen to soulful tunes as the mountains turn gold then purple while you graze on a delicious platter and sip the estate wines.
Cost No admission fee. Wines and platters are available to purchase.
Good to know Booking essential.
When First Friday of each month
Times 3pm – 6pm (music from 3.30pm)
Enquire Now

A heady mix of superb seasonal cuisine, exquisite wines, glorious fynbos gardens and art for all to enjoy, every day is an occasion at Cavalli.

Opening times Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Contact 021 855 3218, [email protected]
Where to find it Strand Road (R44), Somerset West

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