Chelaya is situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands surrounded by the sea and mountains. Visitors flock to the area to experience the viticulture and the many Historic Cape Dutch homesteads. In close proximity, approximately 15 minute’s drive from Chelaya, are the following three wine farms, each unique in what they offer.
Chelaya can organize day trips for guests into the winelands. These trips generally include Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek.
Lourensford
Tucked below the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains, this magnificent estate was founded in 1700. It is steeped in history dating back to the time of Willem Adriaan van der Stel. Today, however, it boasts one of the most technologically advanced cellars in the Southern Hemisphere, making use of gravity flow to further enhance the wine making process. This feature is open to the public for viewing by appointment.
Other attractions on the farm include a visit to the Coffee Roasting Company where coffee is freshly ground to order. In the Wine Tasting Centre all current vintages are available for sampling. These can be partnered with a lovely cheese platter or, for the sweet toothed, a chocolate tasting with hand-made Chocolates by Tomes and little shot glasses filled with honey liqueur!
Lourensford Wine Estate is open daily.
Opening Hours
Tasting Room
Monday – Sunday: 09h30 – 16h30
Public Holidays: 09h00 – 16h00
Wine Sales
Monday – Sunday: 09h30 – 17h00
Public Holidays: 09h00 – 17h00
Cellar Tours
By appointment only
Closed on 1 May and 25 December.
Wine Tasting Centre: Jacques Steyn
email: winetastings@lourensford.co.za
Phone +27 21 847-2300
Vergelegen
Vergelegen holds a charm and elegance with its history and Cape Dutch Buildings. It offers a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere and has numerous other attractions apart from its well renowned wines.
When Willem Adriaan succeeded his father, Simon van der Stel, as governor of the Cape in 1700, it didn’t take long before he claimed a modest 30,000 ha piece of land for himself – just as his father had done in his time at Constantia. It took three days by ox-wagon to reach Willem Adriaan’s farm on the slopes of the Hottentots Holland mountain range overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; hence its name ‘Vergelegen’, meaning ‘situated faraway’.
Since 1999, Vergelegen Estate and its wines have earned more than 200 awards.
“It is an incredible accolade to receive such a consistently high rating across a wide range of wine,” says Vergelegen MD Don Tooth. “This is an important milestone in recognizing South Africa as a leading performer in the notoriously competitive top league of world wines.”
Lourensford Road, Somerset West, South Africa
Phone : +27 21 847 1334 – Fax : +27 21 847 1608
Restaurant / Picnic : 021 847 1346 or 021 847 2125
Wine Tasting / Cellar Tours : 021 847 1337
Vergelegen is open daily from 9h30 until 16h00, with the exception of 25 December, Good Friday and 01 May.
Morgenster
Morgenster offers wine tasting as well as their award winning Olive Oil products and an Olive nursery. The 300-year-old wine estate was once part of the thriving farm, Vergelegen, owned by Cape Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel. After van der Stel’s recall in 1708, the property was divided into four. The section now known as Morgenster was bought by Jacques Malan, a Huguenot who had fled religious persecution in France and was to found a dynasty in the Cape. It was he who gave the farm its name. Some 14 years later he handed over the property to his son Daniel, who was to father a family of 13 children.
Morgenster wines specialize in three Bordeaux red wine cultivars and their forte is blending. More recently, Morgenster has also planted small quantities of Italian varieties Nebbiolo and Sangiovese.
Olive Products for Sale
? Extra virgin olive oil
? Lemon enhanced olive oil
? White truffle olive oil
? Monte Marcello Extra Virgin Olive Oil
? Black & green table olives
? Olive paste
Tel: +27 21 8521738
Fax: +27 21 852 0835
Email: info@morgenster.co.za
Wineland Cellars
All the wineland cellars