Fort Simon Wine Estate

Fort Simon in the Bottelary Hills

Fort Simon Wine Estate sits in Stellenbosch’s Bottelary Hills, a north-western Stellenbosch sub-region of rolling elevations, cooling maritime air and decomposed granite soils long associated with structured Cape reds and site-expressive whites. The property was historically known as Houmoed — Afrikaans for “keep faith” — a motto the family still treats as a working philosophy rather than a slogan.

Unlike some Bottelary neighbours that are tasting-only boutique cellars, Fort Simon balances estate winemaking with a strong hospitality programme: weekend tasting room, garden picnics, weddings and conferences. That mix makes it useful both for wine travellers and for groups seeking a scenic Stellenbosch venue with vines in the frame.

Family origins: from Houmoed to Fort Simon

The estate story begins with Dr Simon Uys, who after building a medical career returned to the Cape and acquired Houmoed as a multi-generational project. The name Fort Simon was introduced by Renier Uys to honour his father and to signal resilience, stewardship and protection of place. The Fort itself is framed as a symbol of continuity more than a statement of grandeur — architecture that cues identity while vineyards and measured development remain the real work.

Today the next generation continues that line: Renier leads the winery with a background in viticulture and entrepreneurship; Simon focuses on vineyard development and farming. Official messaging emphasises measured, deliberate, long-term decisions — small, carefully considered releases as vineyards mature and the estate voice sharpens, rather than volume for its own sake.

Terroir and estate wines

Bottelary Hills fruit is the foundation. Elevation and False Bay–influenced breezes moderate summer heat; granite-derived soils drain and stress vines in ways that favour concentration and structure. Fort Simon positions production as estate-driven, aiming for clarity, balance and authenticity.

Wines listed through the estate shop and tasting narrative include:

• Cabernet Sauvignon (e.g. 2020 vintage listings)
• Merlot (e.g. 2022)
• Shiraz (e.g. 2022)
• Sauvignon Blanc (e.g. 2023)
• Family-linked bottlings such as Anna Simon, connecting people, land and story without overwrought marketing copy

Prices on the official online collection have recently sat in rough bands from about R130 for Sauvignon Blanc toward R190–R240 for reds — confirm current vintages and stock on fortsimon.com. Free shipping promotions on larger orders appear periodically on the site.

Tasting room experience

The tasting room is the public heart of a wine visit. Guests taste curated bold reds and crisp whites in a setting of vaulted stone arches indoors or under oaks outdoors overlooking vineyards. Cheese and charcuterie platters — artisanal cheeses, cured meats, preserves and ciabatta — are designed for sharing.

Opening times: Friday–Sunday, 09:00–17:00. On wedding days the tasting room closes at 13:00 — always ask when you book. Walk-ins are welcome when space permits; the estate strongly encourages advance booking for weekends and event days.

Booking / contact: Online tasting-room booking via fortsimon.com; WhatsApp +27 72 504 3656; tasting-room email channels listed on the site (e.g. tastingroom@fortsimon.com). Tasting fees are not always published as fixed menu prices on the public product page — confirm when reserving your table.

Picnics, weddings and conferences

Garden picnic baskets (about R400, wine and beverages excluded) include cheeses, cold meats, preserves and rustic ciabatta with basket and blanket for on-site use; glassware is provided when wine is purchased at the estate. Baskets are prepared for your booking time; no-shows typically forfeit the picnic — book only when you can commit.

Weddings are a major Fort Simon use-case: vineyard views, photogenic architecture and coordinated catering. Viewings are by appointment only (events contacts such as fortsimon@immaculateevents.co.za / events@fortsimon.com appear on official pages). Conferences and corporate celebrations use the same serene estate setting for meetings and functions away from city noise — package downloads and viewings are arranged through the events team.

If your primary goal is quiet wine tasting, check the wedding calendar so you are not surprised by early tasting-room closure or event traffic.

Bottelary Hills itinerary fit

Fort Simon sits among a Bottelary cluster that historically includes names such as Hartenberg, Beyerskloof, Kaapzicht, Bellevue and Hazendal on the wider hills map. Use Fort Simon when you want:

• A weekend-friendly tasting window (Fri–Sun) rather than midweek-only boutique hours
• Food on site without a full fine-dining reservation (platters / picnic)
• Possible same-day scouting for a future wedding or offsite meeting

Pair with other Bottelary red specialists for a north-west Stellenbosch day, or continue toward Polkadraai / Stellenbosch town for dinner.

Visit tips

• Website: fortsimon.com
• WhatsApp: +27 72 504 3656
• Hours: Fri–Sun 09:00–17:00; early close on wedding days
• Book tastings and picnics online ahead of busy weekends
• Confirm GPS / access via the estate map before first visit — Bottelary farm roads reward careful navigation
• Estate wines available to purchase online with periodic free-shipping thresholds

FAQ

Is Fort Simon open midweek for tasting?

Published tasting-room hours are Friday to Sunday; midweek access is not the standard public offering.

Can I hold a wedding at Fort Simon?

Yes — wedding viewings by appointment through the events contacts on the official site.

Do I need to book a picnic?

Yes — picnic baskets are prepared for a booked time; wine is separate.

What does Houmoed mean?

“Keep faith” — the historic farm name that still informs the estate’s long-term philosophy.