L’Avenir: A Boutique Winery in Stellenbosch with Award-Winning Wines and a View
L’Avenir, in Stellenbosch, is an exceptionally beautiful wine estate that produces authentic South African wines (Pinotage and Chenin Blanc varietals) with a touch of French flair. It also offers a serene escape with breathtaking views of rolling vineyards and a tranquil lake.
Walking through the guest house area past the infinity pool and beautiful gardens, over green lawns to the French-inspired bistro, it feels like you relax with every step. By the time you arrive at your table, you’re already completely calm before you’ve even had a drop to drink.
My Experience
My experience started with a tour of the wine farm. Ryan Bredenkamp who was officially the Experience and Cellardoor Manager and unofficially a very passionate wine connoisseur, showed me around the estate. He explained what grapes are grown where, why it matters and how it all comes together in the bottle.
Then I was treated to some Cap Classique on a wooden platform in the shade of a tree overlooking the vineyards. Here, Ryan explained the geography, L’Avenir’s location in relation to the rest of Stellenbosch, the wind systems and how this affects the grapes. It was like a geography and biology lesson in one …but with bubbly!
A Cellar Tour and Barrel Tasting
In an extended and unofficial cellar tour and barrel tasting, Ryan took me behind the scenes to teach me more about the entire wine-making process. This woman, who was completely dry/teetotal five years ago when I moved to Cape Town was literally drinking wine from the barrel (in a sanitary way of course) on a Monday Afternoon. And it was awesome!
The L’Avenir Wine Tasting
After the barrel tasting, it was definitely time to eat something so I walked past the owls roosting in the tree and took my seat at the tasting room. This elegant space is inspired by French-bistro culture. The scenery of spongey green lawns and the lake that you can enjoy from here is breathtaking. Picnic tables are also available.
A variety of wine tasting and food pairing options are on offer. For just R320 (*correct at time of posting), I was treated to a platter of Manchego, Colby, Camembert, olives, wild boar salami, smoked beef, beef pastrami and honey herb ham, among other delightful tidbits, served with baguettes.
This platter was for two but I don’t think I got through half of it.
I then did one of the official wine tastings which consisted of Glenrosé, Provenance Chenin Blanc, Single Block Chenin Blanc (produced from a vineyard that was planted in 1971), their Provenance Pinotage (two different vintages) and the renowned Single Block Pinotage 2020. Owned by the French leader of terroir wines, AdVini, L’Avenir’s wines are renowned internationally.
The Glenrosé was a highlight for me. As a love affair between French and South African cultures, I love how the bottle features a Provence-style glass cork while the bottom pays homage to our national flower, with a protea imprint in the base. What a great souvenir for international visitors! And it’s easier to take wine across borders than flowers - just saying!
Their crisp Chenin Blanc is perfect for a warm summer's day. I tried their award-winning 2023 vintage, as well as their Block 30, Single Block Chenin Blanc
The L'Avenir Single Block Pinotage 2020 is a must-try. It won wine of the year in 2023 in the Platter's by Diners Club awards and it’s not hard to taste why, even with a palate that’s not the most sophisticated.
I also tried a mystery carpaccio paired with a Chenin Blanc, the Provenance Chenin Blanc if memory serves me correctly (I had been drinking). It was amazing! Afterwards, I found out that it was crocodile meat. The way the Chenin Blanc cuts through the fat and complements the smokiness was quite the experience. I didn’t set out to eat reptile when I woke up that day but I’m glad I did!
Other things to love about L’Avenir:
The Conference / Event Venue
If you find someone you like as much as I like L’Avenir, you can marry them here.
The L’Avenir Country Lodge:
If you can’t force yourself to leave, there is a stunning guesthouse with a beautiful swimming pool where you can spend the night. Apart from the infinity pool that overlooks the lakes, you can also look forward to breakfast on the deck, a wine tasting and access to mountain biking and running trails through the vineyards.
But where will I park my helicopter?
Don’t you hate it when you want to fly to your favourite wine farm and there’s nowhere to land? It’s okay, L’Avenir has a helipad for your convenience. It also has a car park if you decide to rough it in a 20-year-old car with a 1300 engine and no air-conditioning. (In its defence, my car’s vintage is more impressive than that of a lot of fine wines.) Still, next time I MUST remember to bring the ‘copter!
L’Avenir isn’t just a wine estate—it’s a full-on sensory adventure. Where else can you sip award-winning wine this good, accidentally eat crocodile carpaccio and realise it’s the culinary pairing you never knew you needed?
Whether you’re lounging at the French-inspired bistro, frolicking on the lawns or just pretending the helipad was built for you, L’Avenir offers a truly unforgettable escape.
For more ideas on What to Do in Stellenbosch this Summer, see this.
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