Vredenheim Wine Farm

Vredenheim is one of the oldest farm titles in the Stellenbosch winelands, tracing its origins to 1691 when the land was first granted during the early years of Dutch settlement at the Cape. For three centuries, the property changed hands as the Stellenbosch wine industry grew around it. The modern chapter began in 1986 when Coen and Rikie Bezuidenhout purchased the run-down estate and embarked on a transformation that would turn Vredenheim into one of Stellenbosch's most distinctive destinations — a place where wine, wildlife, and family hospitality converge.

The Bezuidenhouts planted new vineyards, restored the cellar, and added a series of attractions that expanded the estate's appeal far beyond traditional wine tasting. Today, Vredenheim is owned by the couple's children, Basie and Elzabe Bezuidenhout, who have maintained the family ethos while modernising the estate's wine programme under winemaker Kowie du Toit.

The wine portfolio is rooted in classic Stellenbosch cultivars. The whites — a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a tropical Chenin Blanc — are bright and approachable. The Rose is dry and elegant. The reds carry the weight of Stellenbosch terroir: a concentrated Pinotage, a supple Merlot, a peppery Shiraz, and a structured Cabernet Sauvignon. The flagship Gracious Lady — named after the estate's beloved matriarch Rikie Bezuidenhout — is a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz blend with classic dark berry fruits, cigar box, and forest-floor aromas that will reward cellaring for five to eight years. The Vredenvonkel sparkling wine adds a festive option for celebrations.

The tasting room sits alongside the estate's Plaaslik Restaurant, offering groups of any size the chance to taste through five wines for R40 per person. A private cellar is available for intimate tutored tastings. For families, Vredenheim delivers far beyond the glass: the Big Cat Park is home to lions, tigers, and leopards; an animal farm keeps younger children entertained; and the estate's gardens and picnic areas provide space to spread out.

Plaaslik Restaurant — formerly Hudson's — serves breakfast and lunch with views over the vineyards, combining classic South African comfort food with estate wines. The estate also hosts weddings, corporate events, and private functions in its conference centre and garden venues.

Vredenheim sits on the R310 between Stellenbosch and the N2 highway, making it one of the most accessible wine farms for visitors arriving from Cape Town International Airport. With its combination of affordable wines, family attractions, and a 330-year heritage, Vredenheim occupies a unique niche in the Stellenbosch landscape: an estate that takes its wine seriously without ever taking itself too seriously.