The Best Art in Stellenbosch: 20 Places To View It

Art enhances life. It reflects our world back to us in ways that make us stop and take notice. It makes us see things from a different angle. From galleries and studios to sculpture gardens, public artworks and private collections, you’ll find Stellenbosch has a distinctly arty side. In between the wining and dining, feed your mind and soul, and discover why wine and art are the perfect pairing.

What are your favourites? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Rupert Museum

A purpose-built, world-class art museum with large galleries, the Rupert Museum presents a veritable walk-through of modern South African art, collected from the 1940s to the 2000s by the late Dr Anton Rupert and his wife Huberte. See works by Pierneef, Tinus de Jongh, Cecil Skotnes, Irma Stern and many more pre-eminent local artists. The museum also manages corporate collections showcasing magnificent French tapestries, Italian paintings and sculptures (both indoors and out, in the riverside garden). The onsite café offers light meals, treats, coffees, teas and wine (and boasts the original “rock art” fireplace from Tretchikoff’s home).
Good to know Keep an eye out for special events, including monthly “Museum Saturdays” (which can feature live music, food tastings, workshops, etc), yoga on Thursdays and walkabouts on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Opening times Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm
Saturday + Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Contact 021 888 3344, info@rupertmuseum.org
Where to find it Stellentia Road, Stellenbosch

Delaire Graff Estate

Situated on the panoramic Helshoogte Pass, Delaire Graff (owned by international jeweller Laurence Graff OBE) has incredible views of the Banhoek Valley, and gardens that are equally a visual delight. Filled with water features and indigenous flora, they are also a living canvas, dotted with bold sculptures by Dylan Lewis, Anton Smit and Lionel Smit. In fact, the whole estate serves as an art gallery, with 400 works from Graff’s private collection on display in various spaces – including Tretchikoff’s iconic “Chinese Girl” alongside art by William Kentridge, Kendall Geers, Sydney Kumalo, Deborah Bell and more. Guided art walks can be arranged.
Good to know In addition to the two excellent restaurants and wine lounge, there’s a day spa and designer boutique, plus fabulous jewellery to peruse.
Opening times Gardens: Daily, 9am – 7pm
Contact 021 885 8160, info@delaire.co.za
Where to find it Helshoogte Road (R310), Stellenbosch

Marvol Art Gallery at Hazendal

At this wine estate, art lovers can feast their eyes on paintings by SA masters Pierneef, Tretchikoff and George Pemba, Soviet Realists and more, as well as fascinating cultural artefacts and rare antiques displayed in the Jonkershuis and Homestead. There are also regular exhibitions by contemporary artists, and eye-catching sculptures dotted throughout the gardens. Join the art walk on Thursday mornings at 11am (R60) or book a tour at another time.
Good to know Kids can get loads of visual stimulation at Wonderdal, an indoor edutainment centre, and there are delicious food and wine tastings on offer in gorgeous spaces. For art of a different kind, check out the classic car collection.
Opening times Tuesday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 021 903 5034, gallery@hazendal.co.za
Where to find it Ronelle Street, via Kruis Street, off Bottelary Road (M23), Stellenbosch

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Mulberry Farm’s majestic slopes and luscious gardens are home to over 60 stunning sculptures created by fêted local artist Dylan Lewis, exploring the theme of “the wilderness within”. In addition to his thought-provoking creations, the seven-hectare property also has a wide variety of indigenous fynbos, buchu, ericas and aloes (at its most beautiful in winter and spring). Visits are by appointment only and private guided tours are available on request. The Old Storeroom offers teas, coffees, cakes and cooldrinks.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 8.30am – 5pm (last entry 3.30pm)
Cost R220 (adult), R150 (student + SA pensioner)
Free (children under 18 years)
R1 500 (private tour)
Contact 021 880 0054, reservations@dylanart.co.za
Where to find it Mulberry Farm, Paradyskloof Road, Stellenbosch

SMAC Gallery

This leading contemporary art gallery first opened its doors in a historic building on Church Street in Stellenbosch in 2007, before expanding to Cape Town in 2011 and Johannesburg in 2016. Apart from showcasing some of the continent’s most exciting established artists and emerging talent, it also collaborates on curatorial and other projects with global institutions and practitioners. Smac is a regular at art fairs such as the Cape Town Art Fair, Art Basel Miami Beach and The Armory Show in New York.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Contact 021 887 3607, info@smacgallery.com
Where to find it 1st floor, De Wet Centre, Church Street, Stellenbosch

MOK Gallery at Muratie

Muratie (founded in 1685) captures the very essence of the Cape’s history in its every nook and cranny. Everything from the buildings to the artefacts and trees are relics of a bygone age, and the winemaking remains old-school, too. The original 17th-century farmhouse is now home to MOK, an art gallery with three rooms of regularly changing exhibits by contemporary local artists. (The current show, until 19 June, is Clementina van der Walt’s ceramic art.)
Good to know Don’t miss a wine-tasting in the cobwebbed Tasting Room (complete with old paintings and stained glass). For full immersion, stay overnight in the bohemian-classic GP Canitz Cottage, where the Stellenbosch artist once lived and worked.
Cost Wine tasting from R60
Times Daily, 10am – 5pm
Contact 021 865 2330, info@muratie.co.za
072 553 5547, cecile@mokgallery.com
Where to find it Knorhoek Road (off the R44), Koelenhof, Stellenbosch

Tokara

When it was launched in 2011, the Sculpture Garden at Tokara was hailed as a ground-breaking project. It has grown to include a who’s who of contemporary sculpture, featuring whimsical and poetic works by Egon Tania, Guy du Toit, Wilma Cruise, Strijdom van der Merwe, Angus Taylor and Conrad Hicks, among others. Perched on the edge of a mountain overlooking the Banhoek Valley, Tokara is one of the most breathtaking spots to spend the day. Also in keeping with its picturesque setting is the impressive indoor art collection in the ultra-modern winery (including three rare William Kentridge tapestries).
Good to know You can enjoy wine and olive tastings in the art-filled Tasting Lounge, or dine on chef Carolize Coetzee’s exquisite food in the art-filled restaurant.
Opening times Daily, 10am – 6pm
Cost Wine tasting from R120
Contact 021 808 5900, wine@tokara.com
Where to find it Off Helshoogte Road (R310), Stellenbosch

IS Art Gallery

Established in 2007 by curator, art historian and all-round art wizard Ilse Schermers-Griesel (she’s been in the industry for 30 years), IS Art is one of Stellenbosch’s pre-eminent contemporary galleries. You’ll find works by names now familiar and the ones to watch, in a variety of media; as such, it’s a great place to get a handle on what’s happening in the local art scene. Housed in a beautiful 19th-century heritage dwelling, the space itself is lovely, and a destination for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Good to know IS Art curates the fabulous sculpture garden at Tokara.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Contact 021 882 6909, gallery@isart.co.za
Where to find it 138 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch

Spier Wine Estate

Spier has one of the largest collections of contemporary art in SA (over 1 000 works), which has inspired this estate’s overriding “creativity” ethos. You’ll find them on display in the historic Cape Dutch buildings, wine shop and Spier Hotel (they’re rotated often, so visitors get to enjoy the full spectrum – with occasional specially curated shows). In addition, there is a Mosaic Kraal and over 30 outdoor sculptures (look for Jenna Burchell’s “The Singing Stones”). Download the free VoiceMap guided tour. Also keep an eye out for Spier’s special events, such as the Festival of White Lights (in December) and the Light Art Show (end of summer).
Good to know The Creative Block wine range can be tasted amid paintings from the Creative Block collection (which can be purchased for R1 300). There’s plenty more to see and do, including Segway tours, a bird-of-prey sanctuary, craft market and great dining options.
Opening times Sunday – Wednesday, 9am – 7.30pm; Thursday – Saturday, 9am – 6pm
Cost Wine tasting R95
Contact 021 809 1100, info@spier.co.za
Where to find it R310 (Baden Powell Drive), Stellenbosch

Glenelly Glass Museum

This farm has a French pedigree (thanks to owner Madame May de Lencquesaing, born into one of Bordeaux’s oldest wine families), a state-of-the-art winery and a beautiful setting amid gardens overlooking the Simonsberg. Another big drawcard is Madame de Lencquesaing’s magnificent glass collection, one of the largest that is privately owned. It features some 500 pieces on display in a specially created space in the winery: from Roman jugs and Baroque decanters to Art Nouveau and Art Deco; from Salvador Dali and Lino Tagliapetra to Lalique, Tiffany, Murano and Woodstock glass (the very first made in SA).
Good to know Head to the elegant Tasting Room on the top floor of the winery, or enjoy French-inspired, seasonal plates at The Vine Bistro.
Opening times Tasting Room and Glass Museum: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm; Sunday, 10am – 3pm
Contact 021 809 6440, info@glenelly.co.za
Where to find it Off Lelie Street, Ida’s Valley, Stellenbosch

GUS Gallery

Housed in the old Lutheran Church, this gallery’s beautiful historic façade is in complete contrast to what you may find inside. As an off-campus extension of the University of Stellenbosch’s Visual Arts department, here’s where you’ll find practice-based research artists and students displaying their works. You can plug into the next generation of art-making, and engage with fresh, contemporary ideas and points of view. What’s on show might include a Master’s student solo exhibition, themed group shows, drawings, sculpture, photography, jewellery, graphic art or performance art.
Good to know Also worth a look is the Stellenbosch University Museum (in a beautiful red-brick heritage building), custodian of a major SA art collection dating from the 1800s to the present. (same opening times). Join a themed Wednesday Art Walkabout for an in-depth look at works.
Opening times Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 4pm; Saturday, 10am – 2pm.
Contact 072 678 9745, gus@sun.ac.za
021 808 3029, usmuseum@sun.ac.za
Where to find it Corner of Bird and Dorp Streets, Stellenbosch
SU Museum: 52 Ryneveld Street

Cavalli Art Gallery

Cavalli Estate (Italian for “horses”) is not merely famous for its magnificent animals; it’s highly regarded among foodies and scenery-seekers. The Helderberg estate draws art lovers too – for the sculpture-studded fynbos gardens, its striking architecture and the art gallery. A magnificent 600-square-metre space, with a “skylit” ceiling that’s a work of art in itself, it’s located alongside the cosy below-ground tasting room – so you can browse the latest in contemporary art and design while sipping. (“On Lines and Lineage”, a group exhibition by Southern Guild, is currently on show until 30 July.)
Good to know The boutique gift shop stocks an array of local designer homeware and accessories. Stay for chef Lucas Carstens’ special 5-course menu (R595) or dine à la carte while feasting on the fantastic views across the dam.
Opening times Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Cost Wine tasting from R83
Contact 021 855 3218, gallery@cavalliestate.com
Where to find it Strand Road (R44), Somerset West

The Red Teapot Gallery

Every town needs an eccentric, larger-than-life artist, and in Stellenbosch he goes by the name of Portchie (aka Jan Hendrik Viljoen). He’s one of SA’s most successful artists you might not have heard of – more than 18 000 paintings sold and over a million prints; and found in many big private and corporate collections. He’s also prolific, like Picasso, producing a new painting a day (he’s been at it since 1995). Step into his joyful, colourful world at The Red Teapot, where his creativity finds an outlet in all manner of objects, from cushion covers and cooler bags to jewellery, quilts and placemats. His self-taught style is impressionist-expressionist-naive, with subject matter largely drawn from country and town life.
Good to know For his 60th birthday in November, he is being honoured with an exhibition in the town hall.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 11am – 4pm
Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Contact 087 148 0291, portchie@mweb.co.za
Where to find it 8 Church Street, corner of Andringa Street, Stellenbosch

Quoin Rock

With owner Dr Yuliya Gaiduk being an interior architect, you can expect decorative art everywhere you look on this wine estate on the slopes of the Simonsberg. Quoin Rock’s striking modern glass building is worth the visit alone, filled with interior detailing by Charles Haupt (Bronze Age foundry) – a vine sculpture, a towering water feature, archways, laser-cut panels that create a shadow play… Outside in the garden are sculptures by Jean Doyle and Adriaan Diedericks, and occasional art exhibitions are also staged.
Good to know Enjoy the extraordinary surroundings with a sommelier-led wine tasting. For “art on a plate”, book for a meal at fine-dining Gåte restaurant.
Opening times Daily, 11am – 4pm
Cost Wine tasting R300
Contact 021 888 4740, winelounge@quoinrock.co.za
Where to find it Knorhoek Road (off the R44), Koelenhof, Stellenbosch

Stephen Rautenbach Studio Gallery

Step into a fantastical Alice in Wonderland-style space filled with animal characters and powerful symbolism. Sculptor Stephen’s studio gallery is packed with his work in various sizes (from miniature to monumental) and stages of completion, where an in-progress wax baboon stands alongside a cast-in-bronze giant bee. He believes in “sculpting the story” of an idea, and this is certainly apparent in his work, whether a kraken sea monster inspired by Jules Verne, or a dodo or hare inspired by Aesop’s Fables. The historic house, dating from 1804, is furnished with antiques, which also lends a step-back-in-time atmosphere to a visit.
Opening times Daily, 11am – 5pm
Contact 083 650 2608, stephen.studiogallery@gmail.com
Where to find it 44 Church Street, Stellenbosch

Idiom Wines

Idiom’s spectacular sea-facing setting on the slopes of the Helderberg is the perfect “ gallery” for Anton Smit’s monumental sculptures. Known for his human figures and giant heads (look out for Faith, with hands reaching out to the sky, celebrating the majesty of Idiom’s mountain-top positioning), his work enhances the visual appeal of this estate. Contemporary modern artworks by Lionel Smit, Mies, Adriaan Diedericks & Corné Eksteen are also dotted around inside the architect-designed stone-walled building housing the tasting room and glass-fronted restaurant. The Bottega family are passionate supporters of the arts, and it shows. Come here for the wine – in particular the Italian varietals, and the pairings with macarons and canapés – or a wonderful meal, and take a stroll around the gardens to discover all the artworks.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost Wine tastings from R85, pairings from R250
Contact 021 858 1088, reservations@idiom.co.za
Where to find it Da Capo Vineyards, Knorhoek Road, off Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West

Kanonkop Wine Estate

Kanonkop is steeped in history and world-famous for its red wines (considered “collectable” wines by auction houses) – and, in particular, for putting SA’s pinotage varietal on the map. Opened in 2008, Kanonkop’s art gallery is housed in one of the wine oak maturation cellars, and features an eclectic mix of South African paintings, sculpture and ceramics. Best of all, you can book a private wine tasting, which is conducted in the gallery.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Cost Private wine tasting from R400
Contact 021 884 4656, wine@kanonkop.co.za
Where to find it R44, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch

Art on Church Gallery

Owned by the Knight brothers of Sculpture Casting Services, it’s no surprise this gallery specialises in bronze sculptures – many of the works you see around town and on wine farms were likely cast in their foundry. The entrance is graced by three leaping leopards, a tantalising taste of the menagerie inside and in the courtyard. From huge rhino heads, sharks and meerkats to the “baby Big 5”; from Louis Chanu’s illuminated bio-resin figures to Cristina Salvoldi’s whimsical children, it’s a visual feast. There are also paintings and prints on display.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Contact 021 883 3790, info@artonchurch.co.za
Where to find it 38 Church Street, Stellenbosch

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