Exploring Historic Muratie & Scenic Stark-Condé | A Private Stellenbosch Wine Tour

Stellenbosch offers far more than world-class wines. On this private Stellenbosch wine tour, my three German guests experienced a wonderful combination of history, beautiful mountain scenery, exceptional wines, and relaxed food experiences.

Our first stop was Muratie Wine Estate, one of South Africa’s oldest and most historic wine farms. Walking through the centuries-old cellar feels like stepping back in time, with original wine barrels, fascinating stories, and historic features that have been carefully preserved. One of the most memorable sights is the old prison cell window, still covered in delicate cobwebs, giving visitors a glimpse into the estate’s rich past.

After our cellar tour, we enjoyed a generous charcuterie board paired with Muratie’s wines beneath the shade of the estate’s beautiful gardens. Sharing local cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruit and artisan bread is the perfect way to slow down and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Cape Winelands.

Next, we travelled over the scenic Helshoogte Pass to Stark-Condé Wines, one of my favourite wineries in Stellenbosch. The tasting room sits beside a peaceful lake with spectacular mountain views, creating one of the most picturesque wine tasting settings in the region.

The guests enjoyed a premium tasting while taking in the beautiful surroundings, and the calm setting made it easy to appreciate both the wines and the incredible scenery.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was simply relaxing together on the deck with a glass of wine while surrounded by the vineyards and dramatic mountain landscape.

Before leaving Muratie earlier in the day, one of the guests even sat down at the old piano inside the tasting room, adding another memorable moment to an already enjoyable day.

After a fantastic afternoon exploring two very different wine estates, I dropped the guests at Alluvia Boutique Winery in the beautiful Helshoogte Valley, where they enjoyed dinner overlooking the vineyards.

Every tour is different, but combining historic estates like Muratie with breathtaking wineries such as Stark-Condé creates a perfect introduction to the Stellenbosch Winelands.