94

Tokara Winery

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Ethos: the magic is in the soil.

Modern artistry
Founded in the 1990s, Tokara is a family-run estate with quality at its core. Not just in the wines, which seek to tell the story of this magical mountainous terrain nestled in the valleys of Simonsberg, on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, but in the experiences had there too. Guests cannot fail to be impressed by the sleek stone expanse of the winery, which lures you in to provide tastings by the fire in a grand lounge looking out onto the hillsides, ocean and, on a clear day, Table Mountain in the distance. Families are well catered for, with activities and play space for children as well as the wine for the adults.

Your visit
Breakfast and lunch are served at the Delicatessen, a dining area framed by glass to envelope you in the estate’s surrounding vineyards covering the hillsides. Much of Tokara’s own produce is used (including its award-winning olive oil) and the wood-fired pizzas are a sure hit with every age of guest. Outside, the jungle gym is embellished with local artworks and the odd peacock.

Evenings are best enjoyed in the regionally inspired restaurant bedecked in William Kentridge tapestries, with à la carte and tasting menu options of up to six courses - ideal for for tasting alongside the full range of Tokara wines (in addition to a selection from fellow South African producers).

The wines
Bordeaux favourites Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc were the first vines planted on the farm, and the likes of Chardonnay, Shiraz and national star Chenin Blanc have followed. Traditional methods in the vineyards are teamed with new technology in the gravity-fed winery, which you get a peek of from the tasting lounge.

The wines are vinified by the specific parcels of land they came from before being blended. The “Premium” wines come from across the estate, with single vineyard expressions in the “Reserve” range, and then a “Directors Reserve” set of exclusive blends between carefully selected parcels.

Contact