Lourensford has been growing things since 1709, when Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel established it as a fruit farm. Winemaking came back after Dr Christo Wiese bought the property in 1998. Today it's a working estate of around 4,000 hectares of forest, fynbos, orchards and vineyards, rising up the slopes of the Helderberg above Somerset West, with big mountain and valley views.
Start in the Wine Sales & Tasting Room, open every day from 09:00 to 17:00 (closed on 25 December). The estate makes several ranges. River Garden is the accessible, fruit-forward one, and The Dome range is named for the Helderberg's highest peak, which rises above the estate. There are also boutique Limited Release wines, Cap Classique and flagship bottles. Cellarmaster Hannes Nel believes in minimal interference in the cellar. Cellar tours are by appointment only, so book ahead if you'd like one.
For a sit-down meal, The Millhouse Kitchen is a casual neighbourhood restaurant. Around the estate you'll also find the Coffee Roasting Company, one of the pioneers of specialty coffee roasting in the area, along with Ginologist, the Wedgewood Emporium, East Cafe at Clay Hub, an art gallery and landscaped gardens.
There's plenty to do beyond the tasting glass: archery, clay pigeon shooting, sidecar safaris, horseback rides from Lourensford Stables, mountain biking, and a padel and pickleball club. Younger visitors can try Artjamming, Putt & Play or Total Ninja, and there are garden tours and art galleries for a slower pace.
Two house rules to know about: no outside food or drink, and no photoshoots. Hours and bookings differ from one activity to the next, so have a look at the Lourensford website before you head up.
Getting there from Green Gables
Lourensford is on Lourensford Road at the top end of Somerset West, around 15 minutes by car from Green Gables.
The Lourensford Market
If your timing works, don't miss the market. It's set on lawns under old oak trees, with around 60 permanent stalls selling food and drink, estate wines and craft beer, handmade goods, artwork and artisanal produce, plus pop-up stores.
It runs on Friday evenings from 17:00 to 22:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 16:00, with live music from resident DJs, acoustic artists or bands. Entry is free, but there's a R30 parking charge per vehicle entering the estate.
It's wheelchair and pram friendly, and dogs are welcome on a leash. Children have an interactive fountain and jungle gym, and there's archery and pellet-gun shooting at the Clay Pigeon Adventures hub nearby. The market closes for part of winter and reopens in September, and times can change, so check with the market before you go.
When to go
Plan around the market if you can: Friday evenings and weekends are when the estate is at its liveliest. For a quieter tasting, come on a weekday morning.
In summer, book outdoor activities like horse rides or archery for the morning or late afternoon, when it's cooler. The estate also hosts concerts, cycling and trail-running events through the year, so check the events calendar.
Make a day of it
Vergelegen is on the same road, so it's easy to pair a morning in its gardens with lunch and a tasting at Lourensford. For a walk first, the Helderberg Nature Reserve is also nearby.
