This farm and its wine are firm favourites for WWW.
Established in 1682 as the first farm in the Cape, the estate is known for its Chardonnay – but that’s not to say all of their wines aren’t delicious.
Only 30 minutes from the Cape Town CBD and along the Constantia Wine Route, The Steenberg tasting room offers a relaxed and contemporary experience with rolling grass hills and a gorgeous water feature that add to the vibe.
In addition to the tasting room, the farm offers 2 restaurants in Bistro 1682 (alongside the tasting room) and Tryn as well as a hotel and spa.
Tasting Room
Their highly experienced and engaging tasting team offer 4 tastings:
- Express Tasting – Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc Sparkling + any two Estate, Fleet or Flagship wines (3 total)
- Classic Tasting – Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay Cap Classique + 4 from the Estate or Fleet ranges (5 total)
- Bubbly Tasting – Try 4 of the Steenberg Bubbly Wines on offer
- Flagship Tasting – Try all 6 wines in their Flagship range including the sublime Steenberg Catharina Red Blend 2017
If you’re a local, use their wine delivery service when buying a couple of bottles. It’s delivered in no time. Reservations are currently required (COVID-19). More info
TOP TIP: Book for an early lunch at Bistro 1682 and then spend the rest of the arvie tasting the Steenberg’s range.
Top 3 picks
Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay Cap Classique – Wineglass rating: 5
This is BY FAR one of my all-time top-5 MCC picks. It’s fresh and crisp and is easy-drinking and an every-kind-of-occasion kind of wine at that.
Steenberg The Sphynx Chardonnay 2019 – Wineglass rating: 5
Another firm favourite from the farm, this one is so silky and delicious it almost moves like syrup in the glass. As their website describes, it starts off like Crème brûlée on the nose, develops into an oak-ey vanilla and then finishes with flavours of dried apples and pears.
Steenberg Syrah 2017 – Wineglass Rating: 4.5
Bet you didn’t expect that! If I remember correctly, the grapes are not grown on the farm but their winemakers certainly know what to do with a good Shiraz grape. If you’re like me and enjoy a spicy smooth Shiraz, look no further: delicate black fruit, spice and all-around yumminess in a glass.
Hayley’s Notes
It’s no secret I love coming back to this farm over and over. Not only are the wines delicious, but the consistency of the experience at both Bistro 1682 and the Tasting Room mean it’s one I always recommend to (or bring) visitors to the city who aren’t keen on making the trek to the other wine route hubs.
H x
*Disclaimer: We’re no wine experts but just a couple of broads (Hayley & Jeanne) that enjoy a glass and enjoy sharing our faves. We’re sure we’ll learn much more about wine through this process but for now, we’re just wine lovers who love to share our favourite wines and wine-tasting experiences.
