“May our love be like good wine, grow stronger as it grows older.”
The Cape Winelands wedding industry is big business. Every year, thousands of couples from South Africa and overseas alike tie the knot in one of a multitude of licensed wedding venues in the greater Cape Winelands’ area. Fairy tale scenery, a favourable climate (and a fantastic exchange rate for foreigners) are just a few reasons why the wine farm wedding trend is here to stay.
In the rolling countryside outside Wellington, there are several idyllic winelands wedding venues to consider for your big day. Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, the area has as much of the charm of its big brothers Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, without the crowds or the price tag. Here are three of our favourites.
Grande Dedale
Set amongst 380 hectares of mountains, vineyards, riverbeds, fruit orchards and fynbos, Grande Dédale Country House on Doolhof Wine Estate has a ‘world of its own’ feel about it and is a unique and intimate location for a Cape Winelands wedding. Located at the very end of a long gravel road, tranquillity and privacy are guaranteed. A number of venue options for ceremony, reception or cocktail function are available, with the estate accommodating up to 120 guests. All catering is strictly in-house.
Bride Bronwyn B on TripAdvisor had this to say about Grande Dedale:
“We had our dream wedding at Grand Dédale Country House in Wellington! Excellent service, exquisite decor and a serene setting! We are in awe of this place and will be back to celebrate each anniversary there!”
Kleinevalleij
The popular Cape Winelands wedding venue NEO at Kleinevalleij lies within a vineyard at the foot of Bains Kloof, offering panoramic mountain views. It can accommodate up to 300 guests, with in-house catering provided by the creative team at Slippery Spoon Kitchen. It is equipped with a fully stocked bar, but guests looking to bring their own wines are charged a corkage of R35 per bottle. Venue costs in season range between R20 and R35k.
Contact: Margo at or visit http://www.kleinevalleij.co.za/
Maryke on Facebook said this about the wedding she attended at Kleinevalleij:
“WOW! Absolutely beautiful…surrounded by those amazing mountains and blue sky… speechless!”
Leeurivier
If you’re looking for a blend of the old and the new, this gorgeous restored Cape Dutch venue at Leeurivier offers charm and romance, while boasting breath-taking views of rolling vineyards and a delightful English country garden. The refurbished barn serves as a possible reception hall, accommodating up to 240 guests. As there is no dedicated caterer at the venue, bridal party can select an external caterer. All drinks, including wine, should be purchased externally and the venue does not have a corkage fee. Costs are calculated per person.
Contact: Demarlene Kruger at or visit http://www.leeuwrivier.co.za/
Sleep at Dunstone
While Dunstone Country Estate is not in the Cape Winelands wedding business directly, our family bistro is in close proximity to the three wedding venues above, which makes us an ideal option for both accommodation and functions outside of the main event. We can also cater for intimate weddings of 30 people or less.
The Stone Kitchen can cater for pre-wedding family functions the night before or post-wedding brunches for all wedding guests. Seating up to 150 people, it has indoor and outdoor kids’ play areas, a tasty menu and ample opportunity for photographs under the guava trees with a backdrop of the Hawekwa Mountains.
The 5* Dunstone Manor House serves as the perfect hideaway for the bride-to-be and her lovely bridesmaids, far removed from the stress and distractions of the wedding venue set up. For the wider wedding party, the estate sleeps up to a maximum of 24 adults (extra beds can be made available for children) in a cluster of beautifully furnished self-catering properties and B&B guest suites. All accommodation can be block booked for wedding guests, well in advance.
To discuss your Cape Winelands wedding arrangements with Dunstone, get in touch at