Parents, we feel you. You’re longing for a relaxing day out, sipping on crisp cultivars, surrounded by rolling vineyards, and enjoying a delicious meal at a wine estate. But, what about the kids, right?
Many of South Africa’s top wine estates cater to children, ensuring you won’t have to worry about entertaining them or feel judged if your little ones giggle (insert scream) a bit too loud.
Here’s our round-up of kid-friendly wine estates in South Africa.
Kids Clubs and Dedicated Venues:
1. Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Child and pet-friendly, Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate is the perfect destination for the whole family! While you’re enjoying a world-class wine-tasting, your young ones can channel their inner swashbucklers whilst getting a hole-in-one at the Pirate Golf Course and cool off at the Water Park. Gather your crew up after and dine like the lords and ladies of the sea at the scrumptious Blackbeard’s Diner.
2. Hazendal, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
A first of its kind in South Africa, Wonderdal Edutainment Centre at Hazendal, as the name implies, is a place of wonders. It combines technology with physical elements to create an innovatively designed indoor space where children are accompanied by Amuki, the virtual reality inhabitants of Wonderdal, and a creative outdoor play area.
Children can enjoy a specially designed tea menu while enjoying colouring-in pages or order from the kid’s menu in the restaurant adjoining Wonderdal.
3. Boschendal, Franschhoek Wine Valley
Turn your kids free range by taking them to experience authentic farm life at the Tree House edu-play centre at Boschendal. Check out their daily- and holiday-programmes and be sure to book in advance. The farm also has modern nests as climbing structures, a bike track and a splish splash summer play area with picnic options too.
4. D’Aria, Durbanville Wine Route
In addition to the fantastic restaurants, The Terrace and Patina at D’Aria, and Botany lounge, this winery also boasts the CU Kids at D’Aria playground. An entrance fee applies and the venue can be booked for children’s parties as well. Kids can order lunch from the tuck shop while mom and dad sit back with a glass of wine. The tasting room at D’Aria also offers a high tea pairing for moms and a kiddies pairing complete with Jolly Jammers and jelly tots for kids!
5. Weltevreden, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Stellenbosch’s new crown jewel Weltevreden Estate invites little fun-seekers to run away to their Carnival! Boasting a playground ideal for children under 13, the Carnival provides tonnes of shade and a multitude of activities including a Build-Your-Own-Pizza Station, a delicious Sweet Station to rival Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, and a trampoline, jungle gym, arcade games, and more!
6. Spier, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
If kid-friendly means a cupcake, Spier has baked a three-tiered cake. If you can, book an overnight stay which will grant them access to an impressive clubhouse. Expect gently supervised, nature-based experiences at The Buzz Kids Club. Younger children love exploring the Elemental Play Garden dedicated to the four elements of nature, complete with beautiful mosaic water play feature, while older kids enjoy rollin’ with the Segway tours. Children can enjoy a grape juice tasting while their parents enjoy a wine tasting.
7. Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek Wine Valley
Wine enthusiasts with mini-plus ones will adore the idyllic Mont Rochelle wine estate in Franschhoek as their Little Corkers programme is designed to keep youngsters entertained and well-fed. From pizza-making sessions to scavenger hunts and movie nights and lawn games, it’s non-stop fun all year long. For fussy little eaters, a special menu can be catered for.
8. Franschhoek Cellar, Franschhoek Wine Valley
There are two things that really excite us about Franschhoek Cellar’s play area: they have friendly kiddie caretakers on hand, and it’s under a tented roof. This means you will really have no stress whilst enjoying your cheese and Chenin, even when the weather is gloomy.
9. Koelenhof, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
A cost-effective entry fee gives you and your family a fabulous day out in the sun at Koelenhof’s thrilling new KOEL-tainer & Play Area. With award-winning wines and beautiful Winelands views for Mom and Dad and a wonderful play area complete with slides and a bike track for the kids, this is one new venue not to be missed!
Let Them Play:
10. Knorhoek Wine Farm, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
There is so much for your young ones to see and do at the impressive Knorhoek Wine Farm, you’ll never hear the dreaded “Mom, I’m bored!” phrase! From getting up close and personal with zebras and springboks to jumping castles with slides and a fun pool to cool off in before gorging themselves on specially catered for small pizzas, it’s a kid’s paradise.
11. Spice Route Destination, Paarl Wine Route
Eeny meeny miny moe, to which artisanal shop shall we go? Block out a couple of hours to explore a collection of deliciousness. With a big, central play area, you can either sit down, grab take-away goodies, or buy the Tasting Passport which will include samples of wine, beer, chocolate, charcuterie and gin at Spice Route.
12. Lourensford, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Lourensford is a hive of activity. There’s The Millhouse Kitchen restaurant, a coffee roastery, an art gallery, MTB routes, clay-pigeon shooting, and of course, a winery. On Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays during the day they host the most vibrant market with live music and a children’s play zone. Art jamming, kids putt-putt and a 3D archery course awaits young visitors.
13. Rhebokskloof, Paarl Wine Route
A big pond in the middle of this fairytale farm sets the scene for a relaxing picnic, kiddies’ party, or dining at the restaurant. Either way, your children will have a ball on the trampoline, jumping castle, jungle gym, and free pony rides. Book in advance for horse riding or quad biking.
14. Skilpadvlei Wine Farm, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Fun for Mom Dad and the kids is guaranteed at the slow-living, beautiful Skilpadvlei Wine Farm. A huge play area directly attached to the expansive outdoor seating area is conveniently located to allow your youngsters to burn off excess energy. A Little Turtle kiddies’ menu ensures tiny rumbling tummies are satisfied. With an additional indoor play area for cooler days, Skilpadvlei is the ideal family-oriented wine farm all year round.
15. Zevenwacht, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Your kids will have a great time as they climb, crawl and clamber on the wooden jungle gyms on the lawns of Zevenwacht. If you go during summertime, they’ll have jumping castles and slippery slides to enjoy too. Go for the picnic option and order baskets according to your own and your children’s tastes to ensure a happy family.
16. Maskam Brewery, Namaqua West Coast Wine Route
Maskam Brewery is a kids’ paradise. They have huge lawns with slippery slides in summer, a petting zoo, a jungle gym, jumping castles, and you can host a birthday party there. Don’t worry parents – you’re sorted too with a fine selection of wine and Maskam’s own delicious craft beer.
17. Meerendal, Durbanville Wine Route
Meerendal conveniently has two restaurants to choose from, both kid-friendly but with different vibes. La Romantica offers delicious Italian food paired with Meerendal estate wines and Bossa Winelands is a more relaxed family eatery. The outdoors offers a big jungle gym and outspread lawns too. The Meerendal Hiking and Running and Mountain Biking Clubs give visitors access to trails of varying difficulty levels. For dessert, pop into the farm’s latest addition, the Cocoafair Chocolatier!
18. Bloemendal, Durbanville Wine Route
Drum roll please, as Bon Amis, the restaurant at Bloemendal, takes the podium position for having one of the most epic play areas in the Winelands. Not only do they have an incredible jungle gym and sandpit next to the deck, but a state-of-the art mountain bike track for the whole family too.
Jungle Gyms by Design:
19. Tokara, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Did you know that Tokara’s fancy fine-dining restaurant has a sister down the road called Tokara Delicatessen? And great news – she loves children. For a trendy but casual outing, book a table here. They have modern play gyms, a hanging nest, a sandpit, and a basket of toys on request.
20. Bosjes, Breedekloof Wine Valley
While the adults bask in the beauty of Bosjes’s gorgeous gardens and astonishing architecture, the youngsters will delight in the custom-designed playground, cleverly built into the garden’s landscaping. The Broombrug is a marvel of climbing nets for the under-10 set while older kids will enjoy the mini zip line. Topped off with water fountains and sand pits to entertain toddlers, Bosjes’s play area is the place to be for children on a visit.
21. Vergelegen, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Two words: “next level”. With 18 gardens, heritage sites, Camphor trees that are over 300 years old and three different dining options, you’re in for a treat. Make sure you have a booking at Stables restaurant, which is right next to the ultra-modern play area.
22. Vrymansfontein, Paarl Wine Route
Set to be a firm favourite with visitors to Paarl’s Vrymansfontein Farm, home of Vondeling Wines, the Shed restaurant caters to little ones with their gourmet pizzas and a custom-built play area. Additionally, the large surrounding laws provide ample space for little runners.
23. South Hill Vineyards
The highlight of the kids’ offering at South Hill has to be their remarkable maze. Through a network of strategically planted vineyards, young and old can navigate their way to reach the picnic area in the middle. They also have family-friendly hiking trails, lawn games, and a nice kiddies menu.
Hiking & Biking:
24. Blaauwklippen, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
There is fun aplenty for the young and the young-at-heart at the gorgeous Blaauwklippen estate as it offers visitors a state-of-the-art kiddies play area with a cycling track and a massive jungle gym, a Bike Park with a Velosolutions Pump Track and a Specialized Experience Centre.
25. Constantia Uitsig, Constantia Wine Route
For laps of fun, the Bike Park at Constantia Uitsig offers mini- and macho-cyclists 2.8km of tracks to explore. The Heritage Market is a selection of artisanal shops (including slow-churned ice cream) that can be found in a row of quaint cottages every day of the week.
26. Almenkerk, Elgin Wine Valley
Whilst everything on this farm is done in notably good taste, you won’t feel out of your league. The outdoor sculpture garden doubles up as a play area for the kids, and they have a pretty cool climbing gym. Additionally, they now offer The Active with 7 interactive play areas along their hiking trails. Expect tire flips, balancing beams, and more along the way. It’s an Instagram-worthy outing with cool climate wine freshness guaranteed.
27. Leopard’s Leap, Franschhoek Wine Valley
Leopard’s Leap is known to be a hearty, relaxed farm and as expected, they welcome kids with open arms. Most of the restaurant’s tables have a view of the play area featuring jungle gyms and lawns. For keen young cyclists, the new dirt Bike Track is sure to be a thrilling hit. Young ones are picky eaters, so their healthy buffet-style lunch ensures that you only pay for what you dish.
28. Jakkalsvlei, Herbertsdale
A delicious day out in the Winelands is worth it at Jakkalsvlei where a lucious lawn and the farm’s border collie Google ensures hours of endless fun for your kids. There are jungle gyms for the tots and yummy pizza to satisfy everyone’s hunger. For older kids, the Jakkal trail run (6km or 12km) and the mountain biking trails (10km, 25km, 40km and 60km) offer a great opportunity to burn some energy.
29. Du Toitskloof Wines, Breedekloof Wine Valley
Sit back and relax as you enjoy a glass of Du Toitskloof Wines while your little ones run wild and free at the outdoor play area within full view of the outdoor seating area. With free accessible Wi-Fi on offer, your teens will be entertained too. This winery has earned their stripes with mountain bikers; more than 1 000 Cape Epic riders have taken to the trail, it’s a stalwart in the annual Gravel and Grape event and Du Toitskloof Wines have equipped the space with changing rooms, wash bays for bikes etc.
30. Paul Cluver, Elgin Wine Valley
Don’t stress about having bored kids inside the tasting room – Paul Cluver has giant dominoes and Jenga sets that can keep them occupied or they can try their hand at being a chef with the DIY biscuits. Outside kids can run on the lawns or enjoy the jungle gym at the family friendly Bloem restaurant. For cycling teens wanting a bonding experience with Mom and Dad, there is a lung-busting excellent mountain biking and hiking trail that provides breathtaking views of the Elgin Valley for the whole family
31. Bergsig, Breedekloof Wine Valley
For families with a taste for adventure, Bergsig Wine Estate offers an excellent mountain biking trail on the farm with stunning vistas of the Breedekloof Wine Valley. See if the youngsters can outdo Mom and Dad’s personal best time before heading off for a spot of wine tasting and birdwatching.
32. Stettyn Wines, Worcester Wine & Olive Route
A gem just waiting to be discovered, Stettyn Wines regularly hosts family fun days that invite you and your young ones to kick off your shoes and have some outdoor fun. A mountain biking day pass allows you to earn a complimentary wine tasting for the parents and cold drink for the youngsters and an adventure on the farm. Whether it’s fishing, swimming, horseback riding, animal petting or simply playing on the jungle gym that tickles your kids’ fancy, there is an activity for everyone!
Animal Encounters:
33. Vredenheim, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Old MacDonald’s farm has nothing on Vredenheim’s Animal Farm, Dierewerf, which gives kids the perfect place to play and explore. In addition to petting the farm animals and visiting the Big Cat Park, youngsters can enjoy sand pits, jungle gyms, and a bike track while Mom and Dad relax with the award-winning wines on offer.
34. Villiera, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
You had us at a wine-pairing game drive, Villiera! The twice-daily game drives are an excellent opportunity for your kids to experience the magnificent wildlife, mainly bucks and giraffes, on display while you enjoy the complimentary wine tasting.
35. Fairview, Paarl Wine Route
Tell the children you’re taking them to see goats and eat cheese. You won’t be lying, coincidentally, there will just be wine too. Visit the ever popular Tasting Room & Deli for wine and cheese tastings and stock up on your favourite cheeses, freshly baked farm goodies and delicious deli products. Or stay for lunch at The Goatshed Restaurant while the young ones explore the gardens and watch the resident goats climb up and down the tower. Win-win.
36. Groote Post, Darling Wine Route
Mark the family calendar for the last Sunday of every month in Summer and Spring, because it’s road-tripping time. The Groote Post Country Market will let your kids discover their inner country mouse with tractor rides, farm animals, Zorb balls, kiddies’ quad bikes, and vast open spaces to let loose.
The Groote Post conservation area spans 2,000 hectares and the early morning drive in a safari vehicle is sure to be one of your Winelands highlights. Spot kudu, black wildebeest, giraffe, red hartebeest, bontebok, springbok, quaggas, eland, and gemsbok and enjoy a wine and cheese tasting in the vineyards, with views of Table Mountain
37. Boplaas, Klein Karoo Wine & Olive Route
There is more to Boplaas than award-winning Port-style wines. Their unpretentious cellar in Calitzdorp boasts a tasting room and the Stoepsit bistro with a playground. Their other tasting room is near Kleinbrak in the Garden Route, where kids can play outdoor chess and feed the alpacas.
Kids Tastings & Pairings:
38. Van Loveren, Robertson Wine Valley
Chocolate, cheese, charcuterie, nougat and nuts. These are the yummy nibbles that your kids can pair with the non-alcoholic tasting at Van Loveren. And if they’re cranky, let them take a hike complete with the farm’s Picnic on a Stick food offering. There’s an easy walking trail, safe and in the shade, where as many as 100 bird species can be spotted.
39. Botha Cellar, Breedekloof Wine Valley
A flavoured milk and cookie pairing awaits kids at Botha Cellar. A delicious addition to the kids’ menu is the Happy Treat offering, which includes a pizza, s’mores, and more for your little ones. The jungle gym will give them the opportunity to burn all that energy again while their parents take in the stunning mountain views and enjoy one of two wine tastings in the tasting room.
40. Die Keldery, Namaqua West Coast Wine Route
Die Keldery is the official tasting room for Namaqua Wines. Enjoy a wine tasting paired with chocolate or, for a truly South African experience, biltong while the kids enjoy the Master Taster experience of grape juices paired with jelly tots to earn their badge and certificate.
41. Middelvlei, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Listen, they had me at “braai your own marshmallow”. Middelvlei is known for their heartily hosting of traditional South African barbecues, and the atmosphere is like the locals: relaxed. A kid needs a break from kick-bike riding, juice tasting and feeding farm animals, so, the Kiddie Snack Box will do the trick.
42. Nederburg, Paarl Wine Route
If custom-made snack boxes, a cupcake decorating session, and a milkshake and cookie tasting sounds like the best way to entertain your kids while you’re enjoying a spectacular wine tasting, then a visit to Nederburg Wine Farm is an absolute must for you and your family. To work off the sugar high, your mini adventurers can enjoy some zip lining, the jungle gyms, take a ride on the swings, or explore the tree house which is conveniently located close to The Courtyard, Nederburg’s casual restaurant.
Family Picnics:
43. Babylonstoren, Franschhoek Wine Valley
If you have heard friends and family gushing about the impressive Babylonstoren and its kid-friendly activities, it is for a good reason! Your children will love you for treating them to the opportunity to feed the resident donkeys, help the bakers knead bread, collect eggs, and learn to harvest vegetables and fruit with special workshops. Add in a scavenger hunt or two and you’ll have very happy (and deliciously tired after all that activity!) little farmers. Enjoy a picnic-style lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant, tucked away in the back of the garden.
44. Warwick, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Is there anything cooler than booking a private picnic pod for your family? With six distinctly different dining and alfresco areas to choose from, Warwick is an entertainment heaven. And bonus: their children’s picnic baskets have been designed by people who are parents too.
45. Cape Point Vineyards, Noordhoek
Perched on a hill in Noordhoek, Cape Point Vineyards offers something unusual: sea views. Order a picnic basket and their famous Sauvignon Blanc, lounge on the oversized bean bags, and let the kids enjoy the outdoor play area dotted all along the dam, or cozy up to a new friend at the petting zoo!
46. Perdeberg Cellar, Paarl Wine Route
You’d be forgiven for thinking the incredibly popular candy floss or marshmallow pairing at Perdeberg Cellar was for the kids, folks. Nope, it’s all for Mom and Dad, exquisitely paired with the estate’s signature wines. The kids are well catered for with a cookie and juice pairing of their own and a fantastic play area near the outdoor seating. There is a braai picnic available for the whole family to enjoy.
47. Grand Provence, Franschhoek Wine Valley
Who said wine tasting can’t be a family affair? Enjoy exchanging flavour-notes with your little lass and lad at Grand Provence as they become mini grape juice connoisseurs. During spring and summer, families can enjoy country style picnics under the oaks, complete with a kiddies menu. It is important to note (and appreciate) that the jungle gym has supervision.
Franschhoek Top Tip: The local hop-on hop-off wine tram is a fun and carefree narrated tour, with five different routes to choose from. Your kids will love it!
48. Hasher Family Estate, Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Valley
Mark your calendars and gather your friends and family with kids for the Hasher Family Estate’s seasonal Family & Fine Wine Feast! This family-friendly event is a wonderful opportunity for your tykes to explore the expansive vineyards on a walking safari, learning the wonders of the Cape Floral Kingdom while helping to forage for seasonal ingredients and help with dinner preparations. Special events aside, enjoy a Picnic & Wine Experience for the whole family while the children unwind in the play area.
49. Zorgvliet, Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Let your family’s weekend meander lead you to Zorgvliet Wine Estate’s De Vliet Country Bistro and picnic area, the more casual option for those of us with little ones. A vast picnic and play area, aptly named Grapes & Greens, is where the young ones can frolic to their hearts’ content and play in the sand pit or on the jungle gym while Mom and Dad feast on one of the delectable picnic boxes on offer. Try your hand as a family at the padel court or cool off on a hot summer’s day at the Splash Pad.
50. Luka Vineyards, Plettenberg Bay Winelands
Worth the drive and definitely a hidden gem on your next holiday, Luka Vineyards is the perfect place to spot elephants and zebra! It offers a small play area for youngsters and a wonderful kids’ picnic box, filled with treats for even the fussiest of little diners.
