Lynx Wine Estate

Lynx Wine Estate sits on the edge of Franschhoek along the R301, a small property with views across one of South Africa's most celebrated wine valleys. The estate takes its name from a shy, nocturnal Cape lynx -- a caracal -- that the farm workers spotted roaming the vineyards when the property was first being developed. It was the kind of quiet, serendipitous moment that would come to define the farm's character.

The story begins in 1999, when German engineer Dieter Sellmeyer traded his former career for viticulture and planted the first vines. The maiden vintage followed in 2002, and Lynx quickly established a reputation for wines of concentration and elegance, particularly its Cabernet Franc. In 2018, German couple Manuel and Brigitte, together with their daughter Annabel, acquired the estate and set about transforming it into a complete destination. The tasting room was expanded, the Levante Restaurant was opened, and a guesthouse with seventeen suites and deluxe double rooms was built -- all while preserving the intimacy and artisanal spirit that defined the original operation.

Winemaker Pierre Louw, born and raised on South Africa's Garden Route, joined Lynx in early 2018 as assistant winemaker and has since taken the lead position. His approach is resolutely traditional: open concrete fermenters, manually operated basket presses, and minimal intervention allow the fruit to speak for itself. The Reserve Range showcases single-varietal expressions including Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz. The Blanc de Noir has become a signature pour -- a crowd favourite that draws visitors to the tasting room year-round.

The Levante Restaurant, led by Chef Emile, offers a cuisine inspired by the eastern Mediterranean -- Turkey, Israel, Palestine -- where traditional recipes meet modern innovation. It is an unexpected pairing in a French Huguenot valley, but one that works brilliantly alongside the Lynx wines.

The guesthouse merges old heritage architecture with minimalistic modernism. All rooms are at ground level with en-suite bathrooms and private lounge terraces overlooking the vineyards and mountains. The estate is also a stop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram route, making it easily accessible for visitors exploring the valley without a car.

What sets Lynx apart is the combination of traditional winemaking methods, an unexpectedly cosmopolitan restaurant, and accommodation that places guests directly in the vineyards -- all on an estate small enough that the winemaker, the chef, and the vines are never more than a few steps apart.