Those in the know love the Western Cape's winelands in winter as this secret season not only offers food and wine lovers cosy meals in front of roaring fires on beautiful wine farms, but also special hearty dishes to entice the taste buds.
Many restaurants from the wine routes across the Western Cape offer food and wine pairings, set menus, or special wholesome winter dishes, but here we highlight only a few to whet your appetite to book as soon as you have finished reading this article.
Stellenbosch
In the heart of the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch has various offerings, from fondues to burgers or steak with your favourite wines. Here are a couple that caught our eye.
Klein Alto
Alto Estate’s Klein Alto has a special Date Night menu every Wednesday especially for the winter at R695 per couple, which includes a bottle of Alto Rouge 2022 or Alto Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2024.
The menu includes an amuse-bouche of roasted tomato and basil soup with smoked mozzarella roosterbrood, and a choice of starter of smoked Buffalo wings with peach atchar yoghurt or biltong aranchine with truffle and parmesan aioli. The main course is a choice of the famous Alto Rouge burger (homemade beef patty, tomato chili jam, mustard mayo, mozzarella, dill cucumber and fresh rocket with hand-cut fries and battered onion rings), fish of the day with seasonal accompaniments, or chef’s pasta.
The dessert to share is Date Night Decadence, the chef's selection of Belgian chocolate dessert.
- Where: Bontehoek, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
- When: Every Wednesday evening
- Contact details: 021 881 3884, info@altowines.co.za
Click HERE to book your table.
Avontuur
Avontuur Restaurant has been awarded numerous accolades as best everyday eatery and best date night restaurant, and now also offers a wonderful winter special.
They offer a two- or three-course set menu showcasing a selection of their most popular dishes at a special seasonal price of R225 for the two-course and R290 for the two-course with wine pairing; R340 for the three-course and R450 for the three-course with wine pairing. It is available Tuesdays to Saturdays for lunch and dinner.
For the two-course, the choice is between:
- Crispy pork belly with an Oriental ginger and plum sauce, served on a bed of vegetables with a side of chips. The optional wine pairing is a glass of Val De Ra Red Blend 2023.
- Aubergine stack with courgette and halloumi, accompanied by a rich tomato sauce and olive tapenade, with a side of chips. The optional wine pairing is a glass of Luna De Miel Chardonnay 2024.
The choice of desserts is crème brûlée with a crispy almond tuile, or bread and butter pudding with orange anglaise and a scoop of full-cream vanilla ice cream.
With the three-course, the two-course above are served with a starter. There's a choice between:
- Lamb kidneys, pan-fried with sage butter, with a balsamic date drizzle and served with homemade gnocchi. The optional wine pairing is a glass of Borrowdale Sauvignon Blanc 2024.
- Wild mushrooms on toasted sourdough, drizzled with truffle oil and crowned with shaved pecorino. The optional wine pairing is a glass of Marydown Rose 2024.
Each dish is a celebration of flavour and warmth – served with sweeping views of the Helderberg and the welcoming elegance of Avontuur Estate. Book your table and taste winter at its finest.
- Where: Avontuur Estate, R44, Somerset West
- When: Tuesday - Saturday for lunch and dinner
- Contact details: 087 822 1834, openhand@polka.co.za
Click HERE to book your table.
Ernie Els Wines
The Winter Celebration at the Ernie Els Restaurant offers the perfect reason to gather, slow down and reward oneself amidst the beauty of the Helderberg. Executive chef Eric Bulpitt, whose philosophy is inspired by the season itself, says: "Winter is a time to embrace comfort and bold flavours. At Ernie Els Wines, our dishes reflect the generosity and depth that winter brings, while maintaining the elegance and refinement our guests expect."
While the menu evolves with the freshest seasonal produce, its essence remains the same, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship and a seamless synergy with Ernie Els’ lauded wines.
“Each dish is designed to complement the unique character of our wines,” Chef Bulpitt continues. “Our approach is to create food that warms the soul and elevates the experience, whether guests are celebrating a milestone or simply enjoying good company and fine wine.”
Set against a breathtaking winter landscape, the estate’s warm hospitality and striking views offer an idyllic setting to savour this seasonal highlight. The winter special underscores the brand’s ethos – to reward the exceptional – and invites guests to immerse themselves in a luxury lifestyle experience.
The three-course winter special is available for lunch throughout winter, until 31 August 2025. The three-course menu is R420 per person, and the wine pairing is an additional R160 per person. Diners have a choice of one starter, main and dessert.
- Where: Ernie Els Wines, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
- When: Monday - Sunday for lunch
- Contact details: 021 881 3588, bookings@ernieelswines.com
Click HERE to book your table.
Rust en Vrede
At Rust en Vrede Restaurant, Chef Fabio Daniel serves a curated six-course menu that captures the depth and elegance of winter flavours. From 30 July – 30 August, indulge in this exclusive culinary journey for R890. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to showcase seasonal ingredients, delivering a harmonious blend of taste and texture that epitomises fine dining.
Reservations are essential.
- Where: Rust en Vrede, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
- When: Tuesday - Saturday for dinner
- Contact details: 021 881 3757, dining@rustenvrede.com
Click HERE to book your table.
Waterford Estate
The Waterford Estate Winter Warmer Experience offers a three-course pairing menu at SALT Restaurant with Waterford Antigo paired with sautéed gnocchi, truffle and leek velouté, mushrooms, and crumbed bocconcini. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is paired with soy-cured pork belly, corn and jalapeño velouté, pork wonton, and preserved mustard stem. The Estate Chardonnay Single Vineyard is paired with miso-infused malva, citrus salad, vanilla ice cream, and Amarula syrup.
The special runs until 19 August 2025 and is available Tuesday to Sunday from 12h00 – 14h30 at R545 per person.
- Where: Waterford Estate, Upper Blaauwklippen Road, Stellenbosch
- When: Tuesday - Sunday for lunch
- Contact details: 021 880 5316, cellardoor@waterfordestate.co.za
Click HERE to book your table.
There will be many special offers and experiences in Stellenbosch from 26 July to 3 August, when the region hosts its annual Wine Town Stellenbosch celebration. Participants include many wine farm restaurants. For more information and deals, visit winetown.wineroute.co.za.
Paarl
In the Paarl winelands, there are a few options offered at Brookdale Estate, Nederburg, Vondeling, and Perdeberg.
Brookdale Estate
The Bistro at Brookdale Estate hosts its popular Thursday Fire and Wine evenings in winter. This laid-back midweek, early-dinner experience is built around one simple yet flavourful grilled dish, paired with a complimentary glass of Mason Road wine.
Guests are invited to enjoy the warm ambience around the central fireplace while sipping a glass of Brookdale Mason Road’s bold Shiraz, the vibrant GSM red blend (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Petit Syrah), the crisp Chenin Blanc, or the refreshing Serendipity Rosé, while Chef Gary Coetzee works his magic at the grill.
The menu showcases the finest locally sourced ingredients, always providing a vegetarian option too. Each Thursday features a different theme like grilled prawns, curry night for two, steak night, or burgers and chips. Sides and desserts are available as optional add-ons.
For those looking to indulge a little further and stay over after dinner, luxury accommodation is available in the Manor House. Take advantage of the Hibernation Season bed and breakfast special valid until 31 August 2025, which includes the complimentary Fire and Wine dinner for guests booking on Thursday nights (subject to availability; excludes extras, additional drinks, and service).
- Where: Brookdale Estate, Hawequa Bos Pad, Paarl
- When: Every Thursday evening
- Contact details: ..087 183 3919, info@brookdale-estate.com
Click HERE to book your table.
Vrymansfontein
SCAPE at Vrymansfontein by Vondeling Wines offers a winter menu: a two-course meal with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 for R520 or a three-course with a glass Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 for R620.
The starters are mushroom risotto; pork terrine with onion chutney and cucumber pickles; prawn tortellini with fennel chutney, bisque, and rice cracker; ceviche with lime gel and aioli; or braised flatrib with charred baby onions, pickled mustard seeds, and carrot puree.
Mains are roasted pork belly with aubergine romesco; grilled line fish with pea and potato velouté; 300g sirloin with beef jus; braised lamb shank; or roasted sweet potato with feta, salsa verde. Sides are a choice of crispy potatoes, creamy polenta with Moroccan tomato sauce, grilled zucchini, lime and naartjie salsa, and pistachios; za’atar butternut with whipped lemon ricotta, pumpkin, and parsley pesto; or beetroot salad with red wine dressing, goat's cheese, and toasted pine nuts.
The desserts include fynbos honey crème caramel with tuille and blood orange compote; rooibos mille feuille with ginger sorbet and candied ginger; or lemon tart and chantilly cream.
- Where: Vrymansfontein, Suid-Agter-Paarl Road, Paarl
- When: Wednesday - Sunday, lunch and dinner
- Contact details: 082 617 4903, info@vrymansfontein.co.za
Click HERE to book your table.
Nederburg
At Nederburg Wines, their Dinner of Discovery 2025 edition is in full swing with a bold new chapter, inviting guests on an unforgettable exploratory journey of taste, storytelling, and sensory wonder.
Inspired by Nederburg’s reputation as South Africa’s most globally travelled wine brand, this year’s edition embraces the spirit of exploration. Curated under the inspired direction of head chef Linda Trautmann, the 2025 edition dares guests to wander off the beaten path and discover food and wine in places where stories live, shadows dance, and flavours come alive.
This is not a traditional dining experience. Dinner of Discovery invites guests to dine in the unexpected spaces that transform into stages for immersive, atmospheric storytelling. Without revealing too much, expect an unfolding of the evening – each course a new chapter, each location a new scene. It’s intimate, immersive, and ever-evolving. Chef Linda’s menu, exclusive to the series, draws inspiration from memory, landscape, and emotion. Using seasonal produce sourced close to home, she creates thought-provoking dishes that evoke warmth, nostalgia, and surprise – each one paired to perfection with Nederburg’s award-winning wines. Whether it’s the smokiness of an open fire, the richness of a slow-cooked sauce, or the unexpected crunch of something foraged, every flavour is meant to delight the senses and spark conversation.
Diners are treated to canapés and a welcome wine experience on arrival, an immersive sensory experience, a 3-course dinner paired with premium Nederburg wines, and a personalised gift. Seats are limited, so book on Dineplan to secure your place at one of the Cape Winelands' most unique and memorable dining experiences.
- Where: Nederburg, Sonstraal Road, Paarl
- When: 25 & 26 July; 29 & 30 August; and 26 & 27 September at 18h30
- Contact details: 021 862 3104, info_nederburg@heineken.com
Click HERE to book your table.
Perdeberg
Perdeberg Restaurant has a cosy date night-themed event on Friday, 25 July 2025. Go enjoy their award-winning wines, stay for the smash burgers and sweet moments. On the very first Smash Burger Date Night, diners can enjoy two burgers of their choice, homemade tortilla chips, two glasses of wine, and a shared dessert for R325 per couple.
A winter evening made for good food, great wine, and even better company.
- Where: Perdeberg Cellar, Vryguns Road, Paarl
- When: Friday, 25 July 2025
- Contact details: 021 020 1626, dine@perdeberg.co.za
Click HERE to book your table.
Wellington
Doolhof
Enjoy the Wine Down Wednesdays at Mila at Doolhof, where winter midweek just got warmer, cosier, and far more delicious. Join the team on Wednesday evenings between 17h00 and 19h00 for a relaxed dining experience that celebrates hearty flavours, great wine, and meaningful connection. Enjoy a generous seasonal main course, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients – paired with a glass of Doolhof wine of your choice.
Whether you're gathering with friends, winding down after work, or just looking to treat yourself midweek, it’s the perfect excuse to pause, indulge, and soak in the peaceful beauty of the estate at sunset.
- Where: Doolhof Wine Estate, Wellington
- When: Every Wednesday evening
- Contact details: 021 864 2805, eat@doolhof.com
Click HERE to book your table.
Durbanville
The Durbanville Wine Valley with unrivalled views of Table Mountain, Table Bay and the rolling hills surrounding the Cape metropole, is a short drive from the centre of town.
Diemersdal
The Farm Eatery at Diemersdal offers their delightful winter menu until the end of August. Chef Martin de Kock has crafted a culinary journey that pairs perfectly with Diemersdal's finest wines. Whether you're craving a cosy winter lunch or a charming winter dinner, they've got you covered.
The Winter Lunch is available from Wednesday to Friday and costs R500 for two people. The Winter Dinner is available Friday evenings and is R600 for two. Bookings are essential.
- Where: Diemersdal Estate, Koeberg Road, Durbanville
- When: Winter Lunch: Wednesday - Friday, 12h00 - 15h00 | Winter Dinner: Friday, 18h00 - 21h00
- Contact details: 021 976 1810, restaurant@diemersdal.co.za
Click HERE to book your table.
Nitida
Cassia Restaurant at Nitida Wine Farm has a hearty soup offering on Sunday, 27 July 2025. There will be choices of pulled pork and pea, creamy mushroom and thyme, curried carrot and lentil, hearty oxtail, or rustic chicken and vegetable soup. All soups are served with a panini. If you want to have all soups, the price is R200 per person; two soups at R120; and one soup R95. Boerie rolls will also be available. Local artist André Nel will perform live to set the mood.
Click HERE to book your table.
Namaqua West Coast
If you find yourself on the Namaqua West Coast, be sure to include a visit to Lutzville and Vredendal’s wine farms.
Lutzville Vineyards
The Lutzville Vineyards Tasting Room and Eatery has a special menu for winter with lovely dishes like jalapeno poppers with sour cream mayo; mini three cheese nachos; snoek samoosas with pickled red onion, mango atjar, and tartare sauce; and lamb pie with vegetables and potato wedges, all to warm the cockles of visitors’ hearts.
The chef, Luchelle Nel, and her two right hands, Sophia Lombard and Ruchelle Williams, make everything from scratch and are famous for their milk tarts, koeksisters, and cheesecake.
The winery also offers their popular Christmas in July clearance sale on your favourite wines.
- Where: Lutzville Vineyards, Lutzville
- When: Monday - Friday for breakfast and lunch
- Contact details: 076 812 4344, info@lutzvillevineyards.com
Teubes Family Wines has wonderful wine and food pairings especially for these cold winter days and hearty seasonal meals in their cosy restaurant. The team also offer guided cellar and vineyard tours. Book on 027 213 2377.
Die Keldery
The Red-Ox Steakhouse at Die Keldery in Vredendal has a weekday July Pensioner's Madness special of a two course meal for R75, which includes a glass of Namaqua Hanepoot Jerepigo on arrival. There's also a Namaqua wine pairing at R295 per person that includes a Goiya Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc with a Caprese skewer; Cape West Sandveld with salmon roses; Goiya Shiraz/Pinotage with bobotie cigar and Dhaniya chutney; Cape West Stoneflower with springbok carpaccio and Balsamic spheres; and Cape West The Blend with sirloin pepper crusted on rocket, drizzled with truffle oil and whole mushroom.
- Where: Die Keldery, Vredendal
- When: Monday - Sunday for lunch
- Contact details: ..027 213 3699, info@diekeldery.co.za
Hemel-en-Aarde
The scenic valleys, hills and vineyards of Hemel-en-Aarde is worth a visit in itself, but foodies will not be disappointed on the wine and food scene either.
Creation
There's no better time to discover why Creation Wines ranks No. 3 in the World and No. 1 in Africa for wine experiences. Surrounded by the splendour of the Cape Floral Kingdom along the scenic Hemel-en-Aarde Road, Creation offers the perfect winter retreat.
Their acclaimed wine and food pairing experiences showcase the perfect marriage of Creation's award-winning wines with crafted dishes that celebrate both local ingredients and international flair. Choose between the sophisticated Winter of Wonder 5-chapter wine pairing menu (R1 570) or the plant-based alternative (R1 460), each designed to take you on a sensory journey through their finest vintages.
Begin with their Creation Viognier – "Vivaldi in a Glass" – paired with fynbos, naartjie, and ginger kombucha, before progressing through chapters featuring the Ocean's Gift Sauvignon Blanc Semillon with spinach watercress soup, their Absolutely Brilliant Reserve Chardonnay, the Red Velvet Reserve Pinot Noir, and culminating with either their Jasmine Neroli Elixir Cape White or Pure Joy Elation.
For those preferring a more casual experience, their à la carte menu offers everything from hearty winter warmers like aromatic vegetable curry and chicken masala to sophisticated options such as springbok loin with honeybush jus or octopus with black rice.
Exclusive winter special for wine.co.za readers
"This winter, we're treating wine.co.za visitors to something extraordinary. When you book a tasting and lunch experience, choose between two exclusive friandise flights: their bright and refreshing Cape White paired with three expertly crafted citrus-based friandise, or indulge in their rich Fine Cape Vintage accompanied by three decadent chocolate friandise – both designed to showcase the beautiful interplay between their dessert wines and artisanal sweets,” says Carolyn Martin, co-owner of this loved wine estate.
Book their winter wine escape today and discover why Creation continues to set the standard for wine tourism excellence in South Africa.
- Where: Creation, Hemel-en-Aarde Road, Hermanus
- When: Monday - Sunday
- Contact details: 028 212 1107, info@creationwines.com
Click HERE to book your table.
