Decanta · Wine farms · Paarl

Paarl wine farms

A wide district under Paarl Rock, inland from Cape Town. Pick one side, then two or three farms.

  • From Cape Town Inland, by car
  • Best months November to March
  • Signature grapes Chenin, Pinotage, Cabernet

How to plan a day

Go with a driver or a tour, and keep the farms near each other. Some tram lines reach the Simondium side. Routes are on the Franschhoek Wine Tram site.

Family-friendly and dog-friendly visits

Check with the estate before you go if you are bringing children or a dog. Two stops on one side of the district make an easier day.

Time of year

Summer, roughly November to March, is the busy season. Harvest is generally February and March. Winter is quieter and more likely to be wet.

Estates worth knowing

A starting point, not a complete list.

  • Nederburg

    Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage.

  • Fairview

    Pinotage and Shiraz, with cheese as well.

  • Laborie

    Pinotage, Mourvèdre and Cap Classique.

  • Glen Carlou

    Cabernet Sauvignon toward Simonsberg–Paarl.

  • Backsberg

    Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc.

  • Avondale

    Chenin Blanc.

  • Vondeling

    Shiraz, on the Voor-Paardeberg.

  • KWV

    A cellar in town, not a farm on the hill.

More of the Cape Winelands

Questions

Where are Paarl wine farms?

Inland from Cape Town and north of Stellenbosch, with Paarl Rock above the town. The district is wide, so choose a side. The other valleys are on wine farms near Cape Town.

How do I plan wine tasting in Paarl?

Two or three farms near each other, with a driver or a tour. Some tram lines reach the Simondium side. Routes are on the Franschhoek Wine Tram site.

What are things to do in Paarl besides the wine farms?

Paarl Rock is the granite dome above the town. The mountain and the streets are worth the walk.

Are Paarl wine farms family-friendly or dog-friendly?

Check with the estate before you go if you are bringing children or a dog. Two stops on one side make an easier day.

Which grapes show up on Paarl wine farms?

Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz and Cap Classique. One day will not cover every style.

A listing is not a partnership or an endorsement. For hours, check the estate. Questions: brandon@decanta.co.za.

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