15 Best Sights in Paarl, The Western Cape and Winelands

Although the farm was established as early as 1693, current owners Johnny and Ginny Grieve have done some serious reorganizing in the vineyards and built a state-of-the-art cellar that's dug into a dry riverbed. Avondale started producing wines in 1999, making it one of the newer kids on the block. The winery hit the ground running, and its wines win one award after another. The reds are especially good, and the intense Paarl summers result in full-bodied grapes that deliver knockout flavors. Great care is taken to maintain top-quality soil, and no pesticides or herbicides are used. If you're interested in the wine-making process, book an Eco Wine Safari, a 2½ hour tour that starts with a glass of bubbly, takes a tractor ride into the vineyards (with tastings among the vines) and ends in the state-of-the-art gravity-flow cellar, constructed three stories underground. There are also gentle hikes and a bike track, or if you're looking for something less energetic, book a table at the fabulous Faber restaurant.

Set high on a hill overlooking Paarl, the towering Afrikaanse Taalmonument is a fascinating step back into the past. It was designed by architect Jan van Wijk and built with Paarl granite and cement. The rising curve of the main pillar represents the growth and potential of Afrikaans. When it was unveiled in 1975, the monument was as much a gesture of political victory as it was a paean to the Afrikaans language. Afrikaans is one of South Africa's 11 official languages and although it is gradually coming under threat, attempts are being made to ensure that the culture isn't lost. The view from the top of the hill is incredible, taking in Table Mountain, False Bay, Paarl Valley, and the various mountain ranges of the Winelands. A short, paved walking trail leads around the hillside past impressive fynbos specimens, particularly proteas. Free, guided walks are available from Monday to Friday. You can buy a picnic basket at the monument's restaurant and find a pretty spot to enjoy the wonderful view.

Now in a new, contemporary tasting room in the centre of Franschhoek, Backsberg is still serving up its comprehensive range of accessible red and white wines. Among the wines to look out for are The Patriarch Cabernet Franc and the Smuggled Vines Chardonnay. It also produces six kosher wines that are palatable, including a Chenin Blanc, a Pinotage, and a decent red blend. A fun way to spend an hour is doing one of the various food and wine pairings, including the Circumventing the Cape pairing, which focuses on local dishes. You can also order platters and sandwiches in the tasting room.

Built by engineer Andrew Geddes Bain and opened in 1853, Bain's Kloof Pass Road links Wellington to Ceres and Worcester. The vertiginous road, an extension of the R303, winds north from Wellington and through the Hawekwa Mountains, revealing breathtaking views across the valley below. On a clear day you can see as far as the coast. The road has a good tar surface, but unlike many Western Cape passes, Bain's Kloof has not been widened much since it was built, so take your time and enjoy the views. There are places where you can park and walk down to lovely, refreshing mountain pools—great on a hot summer's day.

Diemersfontein is best-known for originating what has become one of the most successful styles South Africa has yet created: coffee Pinotage. Pinotage, a South African grape that is a cross between Pinot Noir and Hermitage, can be bitter and is sometimes described as rubbery. Through careful yeast selection and the addition of toasted oak staves during aging, Diemersfontein's Bertus Fourie brought out prominent coffee and chocolate notes in the wine, creating a new and hugely popular style. The estate's other brand, Thokozani, is a Black empowerment project, partly owned by the winery staff. It's a beautiful setting for a tasting, or try the pairing of three wines with three sweet treats.

Also known as the Strooidakkerk, the old Dutch Reformed Church is a thatched building dating from 1805. The cemetery contains the tombstones of the Malherbe family, who were instrumental in the campaign to gain official recognition for Afrikaans. The church is still active, and you can peek inside.

A visit to Fairview is a treat for the whole family, including kids and adults who aren't fans of wine. Children get a kick out of seeing peacocks roaming the grounds and goats clambering up a spiral staircase into a goat tower. And those goats aren't just for decoration—Fairview produces a superb line of goat cheeses which come with the wines when you order a tasting. The estate's wines are top-drawer and often surprising. The Fairview Eenzaamheid Shiraz is excellent, as is the La Beryl Blanc. The winery also makes creative use of the farm's many Rhône varieties. Perhaps it's just because the pun was irresistible, but (as claimed by the label) goats are sent into the vineyard to personally select grapes for the Goats-do-Roam, which is indeed like a young Côtes du Rhône (infuriating French winemakers). If you care to linger, you can have a light meal and freshly baked bread at the Goatshed Restaurant.

What comes out of Glen Carlou is rather special. The Quartz Stone Chardonnay is exceptional, and The Collection Red Blend is also remarkable. There's a small art gallery here with rotating exhibitions, as well as an excellent restaurant open for lunch. The menu changes seasonally, but you can look forward to dishes like springbok loin with red wine jus, and chocolate croquettes with tonka bean mousse. There's also a children's menu.

Halfway down the hill from the Afrikaans Language Monument is a turnoff onto a dirt road and a sign for the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve. The dirt road is Jan Phillips Mountain Drive, which runs 11 km (7 miles) along the mountainside, offering tremendous views over the valley. Along the way it passes the Mill Water Wildflower Garden and the starting points for several trails, including hikes up to the great granite domes of Paarl Mountain. The dirt road rejoins Main Street at the far end of Paarl.

Short for Ko-operatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging (Cooperative Winegrowers' Association), KWV regulated and controlled the local wine industry for decades. This is no longer the case, and KWV is seeking to redefine itself as a top wine and spirit producer. KWV produces an enormous selection of excellent wines, and its cellars are some of the largest in the world, covering around 55 acres. Cellar tours here are very popular; among the highlights is the famous Cathedral Cellar, with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and giant vats carved with scenes from wine-making history. The tour ends with a tasting of two white wines, two red wines, a fortified wine, and a brandy. There is a range of fun pairing experiences on offer, too, including bubbly and nougat or brandy and chocolate. As well as award-winning wines, KWV produces some of the finest brandies, with the KWV 12-year-old regularly raking in the accolades.

With a name meaning "crown of the land" in Afrikaans, this venerable estate, run by the ninth generation of the de Villiers family, produces a Cabernet Sauvignon—with hints of spice and oak—that's up there with the best. Look out for the Paul de Villiers Wine Range. For a little something to sip after a long, leisurely dinner, try the Cape Vintage—a dark, fortified port-style wine with aromas of black prunes and tobacco. As well as tastings, there are food and wine pairing options, or you can buy a bottle and bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds.

Coming from the north, Main Road doglegs to the right at Lady Grey Street before continuing its way south. On your left, the Paarl Museum, formerly the Oude Pastorie, occupies a fine Cape Dutch home built as a parsonage in 1787. The building itself is of more interest than the collection, which includes odds and ends such as silver, glass, and kitchen utensils donated by local families.

This winery sits at the head of a shallow valley, backed by hillsides covered with vines and fynbos. It's a lovely place for lunch on a sunny day, and you can explore the estate and beyond on a series of walking, biking, or horseback trails. The restaurant serves à la carte meals and teas on an oak-shaded terrace overlooking the gardens and mountains. There's also a pizzeria, or you can order a picnic basket for two brimming with fresh baguettes, cold meats, salads, delicious cheeses, and a bottle of wine (must be booked in advance). Try out the wine and chocolate pairing for dessert. The estate makes an excellent Shiraz, thanks to its unique terroir, which is composed of old decomposed granite soils. Other wines to look out for are the Pinotage, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.

Based in a converted old wine cellar, this complex between Franschhoek and Paarl can occupy a whole family for the afternoon. There's an award-winning craft brewery here, Soul Barrel, specializing in unique, barrel-aged beers, some fermented with yeast harvested from surrounding fynbos. The complex is also home to the tasting room of Painted Wolf Wines, best known for their spicy Shiraz, and Stillman Distillery, who make great gin. For kids and artsy types, you can design and paint a glass bowl at Fanglasstic, or just shop for some of their beautifully etched glassware. There's a restaurant on-site, as well as a kids' play area.

Spice Route produces deep-flavored wines, using mostly untrellised "bush" vines. This practice, which is uncommon outside of South Africa, leads to fruit with great flavor intensity but lower volumes. Try the Spice Route Chakalaka, a signature Swartland blend, which has clove and savory notes. But there is much more to this estate than wine tasting. Spice Route was conceptualized as an artisan village, and it features a chocolatier, microbrewery, charcuterie, and distillery. You can hop between producers enjoying tastings of their wares. There's also a deli and a gift shop selling arts and crafts, plus two restaurants.