A haven for oenophiles, nature enthusiasts and foodies alike.
Translated from Afrikaans as “Heaven and Earth”, the celestial Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is characterised by rolling vineyards, towering mountains and a scattering of beautiful farmlands, tucked behind the seaside town of Hermanus.
Its proximity to the ocean not only ensures extraordinary views, it also brings cool-air currents that create an utterly hospitable environment for grapes to thrive – the fruits of which are ripe for the tasting.
Speaking of tasting, the valley is sprinkled with an array of warm and welcoming wine farms, each of which offers a string of pleasurable pursuits for a gorgeous day out. We’ve chosen our top 10.
Which are your favourite? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Creation Wines
No trip to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley would be complete without a visit to the vineyards of Creation Wines. Enjoy one of the estate’s unusual wine-and-food pairings, or choose something from the tantalising menu that changes weekly.
Early-risers might be interested in the daily 10am brunch pairing (five courses paired with five wines), or there’s a six-course Story of Creation pairing with eight estate wines; small-plates-and-wine pairing; wine-and-chocolate pairing; a nonalcoholic tea pairing; and even a surprise pairing for children.
Sit on the terrace on a sunny day (or inside if it’s chilly) and drink in the epic views of the vineyards over the farm dam and the towering Babylon Toren Mountain, while the little ones play on the lawn below.
Bring your bikes and hiking shoes, as a network of scenic trails runs through the farm.
Opening times Wine-tasting + sales: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Contact 028 212 1107, info@creationwines.com
Where to find it Hemel-en-Aarde Road, R320, Hermanus, Western Cape
Book through DinePlan
Bouchard Finlayson Winery
Just 10 minutes from the centre of Hermanus, Bouchard Finlayson Winery is a slice of luxury, famed for its pinot noir and Missionvale chardonnay. Work up an appetite exploring the property’s beautiful fynbos-clad hills with three well-marked walking trails and then settle in for a grazing platter of locally sourced cheeses, freshly baked bread, charcuterie and seasonal preserves.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 4.30pm
Saturday + Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 028 312 3515, info@bouchardfinlayson.co.za
Where to find it Hemel-en-Aarde Road, R320, Hermanus, Western Cape
Ataraxia Wines
Greek for “a serene state of mind, free from worry and preoccupation”, Ataraxia is situated on Skyfields farm, the highest elevation area in the valley. The four wines produced here are done so with as little interference as possible, allowing their natural flavours to shine. And you’ll get the opportunity to taste them in the unique Wine Lounge, built in the vernacular of the Overberg area. Wine aside, Ataraxia is a scenic haven for those seeking a relaxing day out.
Good to know The tasting fee (R75 per person) is waived if you buy wine.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm
Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Contact info@ataraxiawines.co.za
Where to find it The Skyfields Farm, Hemel-en-Aarde Road, R320, Hermanus, Western Cape
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
This beautiful piece of land sat untouched until 1975 until founder, Tim Hamilton Russel, bought the 170-hectare property with the dream of turning it into a spectacular Winelands destination steeped in nature and passion. With the cellar and tasting room set beside a bucolic lake, frequented by a raft of resident ducks, you’ll feel worlds away. Amid the greenery of the vineyard-dotted hills, weeping willows, fynbos and Italian cypress and eucalyptus trees, the fantastical tasting room offers a suitably fresh outlook from which to sip the winery’s signature pinot noirs and chardonnays.
Before you leave, pop into the farm shop for homemade olive oil and freshly made fynbos honey.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Contact 028 312 3595, info@hamiltonrussellvineyards.com
Where to find it Hemel-en-Aarde Road, R320, Hermanus, Western Cape
La Vierge
As one of the highest-elevated wine farms in the valley, it’s no surprise that La Vierge boasts some of the most incredible views, over plains of farmlands and out towards the ocean. The glass-walled tasting room capitalises on these uninterrupted vistas, providing the ideal conditions to sample the estate’s award-winning wines.
The delightful restaurant, which prides itself on its eclectic culinary offering, serves a wide range of dishes from tasty pastas and linefish to curries and lamb shank. If the weather’s good, enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio, overlooking the vineyards from its elevated location, or choose to sit inside the purple-accented interior. And, should you wish to stretch your legs after lunch, the steep vineyard-dotted hills are the perfect place to do so.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm (tasting room)
Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 4pm (restaurant)
Contact 028 313 0130/2007, info@lavierge.co.za
Where to find it 12 Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Road, R302, Hermanus, Western Cape
Newton Johnson
This feted family-owned restaurant and wine estate (off the R43, a 10-minute drive from Hermanus) is known for its modern South African cuisine, spectacular wine selection, and exquisite views of vineyards stretching out towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Stretch your legs with an informative tour through the vineyards, before settling in for a shared platter or one of the artfully prepared seasonal dishes.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm
Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Contact 028 312 3862, wine@newtonjohnson.com
Where to find it Hemel-en-Aarde Road, R320, Hermanus, Western Cape
Book through DinePlan
Bosman Hermanus
A bevvy of attractions awaits at this fynbos-enclosed vineyard on a quiet corner of the upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Known for its striking Frame House – a contemporary wooden tasting room, coffee shop and restaurant in one – Bosman Hermanus marries modern style with tranquillity and endless nature.
Whether you’re here for a coffee, wine tasting or a platter of tapas, sit on the verandah and drink it all in. Then take a walk up one of the many fynbos-clad mountain paths, whose awe-inspiring vistas all the way towards Stanford, Gansbaai and beyond are worth the trek. Keep your eyes peeled for elusive ribboks, duikers and porcupines.
If, like us, you’re protea-obsessed, pop by the on-site flower shop and grab some beautiful blooms to take home.
Opening times Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Saturday + Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 076 3000 819, taste@bosmanhermanus.com
Where to find it De Bos Farm, Karwyderskraal Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus, Western Cape
Book through DinePlan
Bartho Ecksteen
Surrounded by a lush forest and intimate rows of vineyards, this family-owned boutique wine farm is a more recent addition to the valley (founded in 2015), yet it still manages to personify its tranquil countryside charm. In addition to a wonderful tasting room, where visitors are invited to relax and sample a selection of homegrown wines, the destination is home to Maná Deli whose lovely array of fresh, light dishes and alfresco platters go down a treat.
The estate’s extensive vegetable and fruit gardens (dubbed “food forests”) ensure that most of the ingredients in the dishes are organically grown. Take a stroll around them, do a forest hike, or try your hand at a chilled game of boules.
Then, before you leave, pop into the farm shop for homemade preserves, seasonal veggie boxes, pickles and freshly baked goods.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 072 323 5060, mana@hermanus.co.za
Where to find it Hemel-en-Aarde Road, R320, Hermanus, Western Cape
Spookfontein Wines
Chris Rebok
Perched atop a sweeping slope – overlooking 313 hectares of untouched nature and rustic farm roads – this charming wine farm blends effortlessly into the Overberg’s epic landscapes. The welcoming, bricked tasting room, designed to emulate the rolling hills of the valley, is a wonderful spot to sit back and soak up the spectacular setting, with a glass of the valley’s finest in hand. The on-site restaurant serves contemporary farm-style comfort dishes, and is open for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday. And, if you find yourself unable (or unwilling) to leave, there are two quaint cottages perfect for scenic stayovers.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 10am – 4.30pm
Sunday & public holidays, 10am – 4pm
Contact 028 125 0128, james@spookfontein.co.za
Where to find it Spookfontein Farm, Hemel-en-Aarde Road, R320, Hermanus, Western Cape
Whalehaven
If you’re a wine lover (novice or connoisseur), chances are you’ve heard of the Bottega family (of Idiom Wines in Somerset West). They also happen to own this artisanal winery, founded in 1995, that’s named after the protective bay that shelters breeding southern right whales during winter.
Its exceptional merlot, cabernet franc, chardonnay and pinot noir, created by winemaker Reino Thiart, who has an imputable passion for creating boutique, handcrafted wines with edge, are all worth tasting!
Those who wish to explore the surrounding valley without breaking a sweat can do so with a hop-on hop-off safari-style wine tour – a fun excursion through this magnificent region and wineries that lie within it.
Opening times Wednesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm
Saturday + Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 028 316 1633, experience@whalehaven.co.za
Where to find it R43, Hemel-en-Aarde Road, Hermanus, Western Cape
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10 Responses to “The 10 Best Wine Farms in The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley”
Christelle Hattingh
which winefarm is pet friendly? I’ll have ny 2year old very friendly yorkie with me thos weekend
Meghan
Horrifically incorrect information!!
Disappointed to walk into wine farms where this article listed having farm shops, and getting told they never had one! Do your own research before blindly following this article!
Bouchard Finlayson Winery → mostly accurate, they have wine pairings which are good. Lovely service
Bartho Ecksteen → lovely service and platter and rose (Blom)! they don’t have a shop yet, but are working on it. They do sell wine and jams though.
Bosman Hermanus → only a tasting room with food, the flower shop is seasonal, not permanent!
Hamilton Russell Vineyards → never had a farm shop and were very confused that we asked about it. Only has a tasting room.
Inside Guide
Hi Meghan
As per the disclaimer on this article (and all of our posts), we do our best to ensure all information on our site is factually correct and up to date. Before publishing, we send all information to the featured properties for fact-checking. This article was last updated in 2021 (stated in the disclaimer). Can you let us know which wine farm you are referring to?
Norma Walters
Sounds like a good stepway to
Explore 2023….
Lesley Tosh-van Wijk!
Looking for accommodation and wine tasting with restaurant near Hermanus. Is springfontain still a Michelin star restaurant?? Need some advice please
Lesley
The Inside Guide
Hi Lesley,
We recommend any of the wine farms mentioned in our post. Springfontein is still a Michelin star restaurant. You can view some accommodation options in our post, The Best Places to Stay in Hermanus.
Alison Roux
Would love to hear all about the wines, tastings and specials.
The Inside Guide
Hi Alison. Thanks for your message.
We recommend subscribing to our newsletter for up-to-the-minute news about cool happenings in and around Cape Town. Let me know if you’d like us to subscribe you.
Heidi
We love the Hermanus wine farms.
Our favourite is Ataraxia, for the view and wine, but we loved Newton Johnson too. it provides great wine with an incredible view of the bay. Creation lunch or food and wine pairings are excellent. We also liked Benguela Cove for the decor, beautiful scenery and the mini golf. Not as busy as Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, great wine and great service. Always worth a visit!
Garrie & Margaret Bolton
You have just taken us back to the that lovely drive through the valley and had the same difficult choice of which winery to visit for lunch, wine tasting and more. Waiting to list SA again but just made a few notes in my travel file. The The Hemel en Aarde wines seem to be featuring more and more over here.
Thank you for making our day. Garrie & Margaret,UK