Just because you’re travelling with kids doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fruits of the beautiful winelands! Unlike many other wine regions around the world, the South African winelands are incredibly accommodating towards families with kids so that everyone can have an enjoyable time. From picnics to playgrounds and even wild animals plenty of entertainment is provided for the whole family. We’ve got a variety of family-friendly day tours that tick all the boxes for a fun-filled family vacation! When visiting the winelands, here are a couple of wine farms for families that you don’t want to miss…
1. Spier
Spier Wine Estate wins the family-friendly award – there are a variety of activities no matter what age your kids are. The little ones can taste alongside you with a juice tasting in which three grape juices are available to be tasted in addition to a colouring/activity sheet which illustrates the role that insects play in vineyards. For animal lovers, the on-premise bird sanctuary, Eagle Encounters, allows kids to see rare birds up close. This is one of the largest raptor rehabilitation centers in South Africa. For the older kids, take them on a segway tour of the vineyards where they’ll learn about how the vines are grown and cultivated.
2. Creation Wines
Creation wine estate in Hemel-en-Aarde wine valley boasts the most extensive kids pairing. Kids between the ages of 5 and 12 can do a tasting that includes juices, flavoured milks and a selection of healthy nibbles. The best part is that it lasts 30 minutes, long enough for the adults to experience the amazing wine and canapé tasting.
3. Fairview
If you love cheese, Fairview is the perfect family-friendly wine farm & cheesery that boasts South Africa’s very first goat cheese. Fairview Wine Estate, located in Paarl, offers exquisite wine tasting, expertly paired with a selection of 6 Fairview cow and goat’s milk cheeses. Everything they do at Fairview is guided by their philosophy that fresh and homemade is always better.
The absolute main attraction for kids at Fairview is the goat tower. The animals climbing up the tower stairway which doesn’t even have a railing, captures the imagination of adults and children alike. There is also a huge, safely covered pond with enormous koi fish that delight the children.
4. Warwick
Warwick Wine Estate is a destination spot for many local Stellenbosch families. Reserve an outdoor picnic and keep an eye on your kids as they play on the jungle gyms and in the water fountain which doubles up as a paddling pool. Break out the boules and get your children in on the game.
5. Babylonstoren
Known the world over for its beautiful garden, Babylonstoren is home to fascinating plant species, adorable animals and incredible workshops making it one of the top wine farms for families. Walk through the winding peach pip covered paths discovering all sorts of weird and wonderful plants before visiting the donkeys or walking alongside some adorbale waddling ducks. For the older kids, visit the Scented Room. A magical space filled with dreamy fragrances that allows guests to make their own bath salts, body scrubs and face masks using plants from the garden.
6. Vergenoegd
Children of all ages will fall in love with the Indian runner ducks that are in charge of hunting snails in the vineyards at Vergenoegd Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. The duck parade has hundreds of ducks march out to work in the morning, and return in the late afternoon. You can see the duck pens and the breeding rooms and at the right time of year, hold a baby duckling. Adults can taste wine in the manor house and even blend their own wine.
7. Spice Route
The biggest problem is what to do first. Paarl Spice Route offers an outdoor play area and artisanal chocolate tasting for kids. The views are spectacular and parents can try out local craft beer, wine, and meat tastings. The Spice Route restaurant is the estate’s fine-dining option. A more family-friendly choice is La Grapperia for pizzas and tapas.
8. Villiera Wines
Villiera wine estate in Stellenbosch is perfect for parents with slightly older, animal-loving kids. They offer a 2 hour game drive throughout the adjacent nature reserve where you can spot Springbuck, Kudu, Giraffe, Bontebok, Eland, Gemsbok, Black Wildebeest, Bush Pig, Burchell’s Zebra, common Duiker, Steenbuck and Grysbok. The best part is that parents can follow this with an MCC (bubbly) tasting of some of South Africa’s best sparkling wine.
9. Middelvlei
Middelvlei is all about entertainment for the family. Enjoy a traditional South African barbeque (braai), which is served daily at the farm for lunch. Kids can even make their own “stokbrood” and marshmallows on the braai. The kiddies will get started early with the wine discovery experience, which includes a mini introduction to the art of winemaking and wine appreciation. For the rest of the day, kids can play in the large sandpit, ride on kick bikes and feed the animals on the farm.
10. Mulderbosch Vineyards
Set in the beautiful Stellenbosch winelands, Mulderbosch Vineyards is a child-friendly wine estate to visit with family and friends for a relaxed afternoon of wine tasting and thin crust pizza. While there aren’t any child-specific activities, there’s a large lawn and jungle gym for kids to play on. Make sure to reserve a spot in the outdoor veranda to sip wine and play boules whilst you keep your kids within sight.
11. Boschendal
Located in the Cape’s culinary capital, Franschhoek, Boschendal is a firm favourite on anyone’s list of wine farms for families. From trail horse riding and cycling through the vineyards to outdoor cooking and art classes, the kids can be entertained for hours on end while you relax with a glass of wine in hand.