Lanzerac

As you enter Lanzerac through its majestic oak-lined driveway, time seems to slow. The towering mountains of the Jonkershoek Valley rise on every side, rows of lush vineyards stretch toward the horizon, and the elegant Cape Dutch homestead -- dating back more than three centuries -- anchors the scene with a grandeur that feels both earned and effortless. This is not merely a wine estate. This is one of the most storied properties in the Western Cape.

Lanzerac's history begins in 1692, when the land was first granted as one of the earliest farms in the Stellenbosch district. Over the following centuries, the property passed through many hands, each leaving their mark on the architecture, the gardens, and the vineyards. The homestead was transformed into the Lanzerac Hotel in 1959, inspired by the traditional French model of fusing a country hotel with a working wine estate. That dual identity -- serious winemaking estate and five-star country retreat -- has defined Lanzerac ever since.

The estate's most celebrated contribution to South African wine history came in 1959, when Lanzerac bottled the world's first commercial Pinotage. The variety had been created in 1925 by Professor Abraham Izak Perold at the University of Stellenbosch, who crossed Pinot Noir and Hermitage (Cinsaut) to create a uniquely South African grape. It was at Lanzerac that this experimental variety was first vinified and released to the public, forever linking the estate to one of the country's defining wine stories.

Today, Cellar Master Wynand Lategan oversees a portfolio structured in three tiers. The Jonkershoek Range offers award-winning single varietals: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinotage Rose. The Heritage Range presents limited-release flagship wines honouring key figures in the estate's history -- Le General (Red Blend), Mrs English Chardonnay, Pionier Pinotage, the Commemorative Pinotage, and DOK (Malbec). The Keldermeester Versameling (Cellar Master's Collection) features Lategan's own artisanal limited releases, including PROF (Cinsaut/Pinot Noir), BERGPAD (Pinot Blanc), BERGSTROOM (Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon), and KURKTREKKER (Cinsaut). A Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs Brut and the Aliquid Novi Pinotage complete the range.

The tasting room offers three distinct experiences. The Jonkershoek Tasting allows guests to explore five wines from the core range for R120. The Wine and Chocolate Tasting pairs five wines with artisan chocolates for R225. The Heritage Tasting showcases three flagship wines plus the Cap Classique for R280. Daily cellar tours led by expert Wine Advisors reveal the working cellar and the estate's rich production heritage.

Dining at Lanzerac spans five venues. The Tasting Room and Deli serves all-day breakfast, artisan sandwiches, cheese platters, and pastries in a cosy indoor setting or on the vineyard terrace. The Manor Kitchen delivers opulent buffet breakfasts and reimagined classical dinner dishes. The Taphuis offers a relaxed contemporary bistro experience. The Craven Lounge provides cocktails and light fare in an elegant setting, while The Library offers an intimate space for whisky, cigars, and quiet conversation.

The Lanzerac Spa is a sought-after wellness retreat with eight therapy rooms, an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, mist room, NeoQi Mediq Cocoons, a fitness room, and a Vitality Corner serving wholesome dishes and raw juices. Treatments range from facials and massages to body wraps and ancient Rasul rituals.

The hotel offers rooms and suites that balance the estate's revered past with contemporary sophistication -- elegant finishes, original artwork, manicured gardens, and mountain views. Complimentary amenities include sparkling wine on arrival, a stocked minibar, and a shuttle service to Stellenbosch town. Lanzerac is also one of Stellenbosch's premier wedding and events venues, with function spaces, conferencing facilities, and a dedicated banqueting team.