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Stellenbosch · Western Cape

Vredenheim Wine Farm

Vredenheim Wine Farm is a wine farm in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. About 40 km from Cape Town.

40 km from Cape Town Place to stay
Vredenheim Wine Farm
Photograph from the farm website

One of Stellenbosch’s oldest farms — with a wild twist

Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery sits on the R310 Baden Powell Drive at Vlottenburg, between Stellenbosch and the False Bay coast. The name means “peace of the homestead,” yet the visitor experience is anything but quiet: this is a working wine estate that also runs a Big Cat Park (Roofdierpark), a family animal farm (Dierewerf), game drives, restaurants and function venues on roughly 187 hectares.

Title deeds place the farm among Stellenbosch’s earliest grants. Estate history traces farming here to Hendrik Elbertz from 1681, with formal establishment around 1691 as part of the early farms linked to Simon van der Stel. The Cape Dutch Manor House (historically Vredenburgh) was built in the late 18th century, later altered in Victorian fashion, restored through the 20th century and declared a National Monument in 1975. Original handmade glass and gabled architecture still frame the werf.

The modern chapter begins in 1986, when Coen and Rikie Bezuidenhout — cattle and game farmers from KwaZulu-Natal — bought Vredenheim and brought wildlife onto the Stellenbosch wine route. Their children Basie and Elzabé Bezuidenhout now steward the property. In 1987, Elzabé began making wine here and is widely cited as the first female winemaker on the Stellenbosch wine route — a pioneering detail that still shapes how the estate tells its story.

Wines, tasting and farm shop

Vredenheim’s cellar door and online shop cover a broad Cape range rather than a single flagship style. Expect Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Liriek Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, the Akkoord red blend, Gracious Lady, sparkling wine, grape juices and a Cape Vintage Reserve port-style offering. Waxed bottles and seasonal shop promotions appear regularly on the estate site.

Tastings sit alongside gin and port experiences in some guest reviews, and packages can combine wine with Big Cat or animal-farm access — useful for mixed groups where not everyone wants a long seated tasting. For bookings and wine enquiries the estate lists wine@vredenheim.co.za and +27 21 881 3878; always confirm current flight prices and opening times before travel.

Big Cat Park, animal farm and game drives

What sets Vredenheim apart from neighbouring Stellenbosch cellars is the wildlife programme. The Roofdierpark houses big cats — lions, tigers, leopards and cheetahs feature in visitor feedback — with guided feeding tours commonly scheduled around 11:00 and 15:00. The Dierewerf animal farm suits younger children, with educational school visits and interactive feeding when offered.

Game drives (about 90 minutes) explore free-roaming game such as zebra, springbok, fallow deer, eland, water buffalo, sable and birdlife. Estate packages often include a bottle of Vredenheim wine with cheese and droëwors, plus entry to the Big Cat Park and animal farm. Wide lawns, picnic spots, a jungle gym and casual walking areas make the property a full-day destination rather than a 45-minute cellar stop.

Dining, Feestafel and events

Plaaslik Restaurant anchors on-farm dining with garden and Helderberg-mountain views, local seasonal cooking and warm hospitality. Contact numbers published for the restaurant include +27 21 881 3590. Feestafel fire-feast and celebration experiences, coffee stops (Plaaslik / café-style offerings) and a farm shop (Boerderywinkel) round out the day for families and groups.

Vredenheim also markets elegant function venues and a chapel setting for weddings, conferences and private events — photo opportunities across gardens, lakeside spots and historic buildings are a recurring guest theme. Capacity guidance on activity packages suggests the estate can move large groups through tastings and park tours when pre-booked.

How Vredenheim fits a Stellenbosch itinerary

Use Vredenheim when you want:

1. A family Winelands day — kids’ play, animals and wine for adults in one stop 2. A contrast to classic cellar doors — wildlife and game alongside Stellenbosch bottles 3. An R310 corridor stop — convenient between Cape Town airport approaches, Stellenbosch town and False Bay routes

It is not a minimalist boutique tasting counter; it is a diversified hospitality farm. Plan half a day if you want both feeding tours and a meal.

Visit tips

  • Address: Vredenheim Wine Farm, R310 Baden Powell Drive, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch
  • Website: vredenheim.co.za
  • Wine / Cat Park: +27 21 881 3878 · wine@vredenheim.co.za
  • Plaaslik: +27 21 881 3590
  • Book Big Cat feeding times and game drives ahead on weekends and school holidays
  • Combine with nearby Stellenbosch Wine Route stops rather than treating it as Helderberg foothills only — the estate sits on the Vlottenburg / R310 corridor
  • Confirm wildlife tour ages, safety rules and weather closures on the day

FAQ

Is Vredenheim mainly a zoo or a winery?

Both. It is a historic Stellenbosch wine estate with a serious hospitality and wildlife offering; most visitors plan wine tasting and the parks.

Can I visit without children?

Yes. Couples and wine groups use the tasting room, restaurants and gardens; wildlife experiences are optional add-ons.

Where exactly is it relative to Stellenbosch town?

On the R310 at Vlottenburg — a short drive from Stellenbosch towards the coast, well signed for wine-route traffic.

Things to do at Vredenheim Wine Farm

  • Wine tasting & pairings

    Wine Tasting (Proelokaal / Tasting Room)

    Introduction to Vredenheim reds/whites; any 5 wines of choice (Activitar). Counter or table seating; private cellar for intimate tutored tastings/groups. Cheese board mentioned on Proelokaal page (price not published). Official site does not list a tasting fee — price omitted.

    Duration About 1 hour (Activitar)

    Booking: Walk-in for small wine tastings, cat park, animal farm (FAQ). Game drives & restaurants: book ahead via Book Now / Activitar

  • Wine tasting & pairings

    Wine Experience (venison food pairing)

  • Wine tasting & pairings

    Port tasting at Boerderywinkel

  • Other experiences

    Big Cats Park (Roofdierpark)

  • Wine tasting & pairings

    Game Drive (includes Big Cats & Animal Farm)

    Paired tasting: Chardonnay with smoked crocodile carpaccio; Merlot with cream cheese & fennel; Cabernet Sauvignon with smoked warthog carpaccio; Port with parmesan & chutney (Activitar). Price not published on Activitar/official pages — omitted.

    Duration About 1 hour

    Booking: Activitar / enquire wine@vredenheim.co.za

  • Other experiences

    Animal Farm (Dierewerf)

Browse all experience types

Wines made here

  • Angels Honey Harvest · Chenin Blanc
  • Vredenheim Chenin Blanc
  • Vredenheim Vredenvonkel · Chenin Blanc
  • Vredenheim White Grapejuice · Colombard

Wine list from wine.co.za. Ask the cellar door what is pouring on the day.

Visiting with kids

Dierewerf animal farm with jungle gyms, sandpits and bike track plus Big Cats Park and wood-fired pizza foodcourt.

With kids. About 39 min from Cape Town. Suited to toddlers, tweens.

Play areaAnimalsLawnsCasual food

  • animal farm
  • big cats park
  • game drive
  • bike track
  • kids parties
  • school outings

Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery is a classic Stellenbosch family day: the Dierewerf animal farm has jungle gyms, sandpits and a bike track, plus a Big Cats Park, game drives and a wood-fired pizza foodcourt. Kids parties and Mon–Fri school outings are offered. Kids under 13 pay animal-farm entry (under 1 free when last checked). Private/own picnics are not allowed — use picnic packages or restaurant food instead. Dogs are not allowed because of the big cats. Suited to toddlers through tweens with kids pricing available. Plan a full morning or afternoon; check current entry fees and opening times before you go so the animal farm and pizza stop line up.

Before you go

  • Dogs are not welcome.
  • Outside picnics are not listed.
  • A children's price is listed. Confirm the amount when you book.
What can kids do?

Dierewerf animal farm with jungle gyms, sandpits and bike track, plus Big Cats Park and game drives.

Can we bring our own picnic?

No — private/own picnics are not allowed; picnic packages and restaurant food are available.

Are dogs allowed?

No — dogs are not allowed due to the big cats.

Nearby with children

  • Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden — Nature reserve, Stellenbosch · 1 km Website
  • Jan Marais Nature Reserve — Nature reserve, Stellenbosch · 2 km
  • Vredenheim Dierewerf & Roofdierpark — Animals, Vlottenburg · 6 km Website
  • Jonkershoek Nature Reserve — Walk or hike, Stellenbosch · 7 km Website

Family notes checked 5 October 2026. Confirm on the farm’s website before you drive. Source. More family farms in Stellenbosch. Things to do near this farm. Stay on this farm. Weddings on this farm.

Staying here

Three self-catering cottages on the wildlife winery — Poppelien and Harmonie (sleep 4) plus Kelderhuis above the cellar (sleep 8).

Place to stay. About 39 min from Cape Town. 29 min from the airport. Poppelien|Harmonie|Kelderhuis.

Cottage, Self-catering, Farm stay. Sleeps 4|4|8 a unit. Up to 16 guests. 3 units. From R2200 (per unit).

RestaurantKitchenKids welcome

Cape Dutch estate gardens; Kelderhuis overlooks working barrel cellar; wildlife/Big Cats Park on farm

Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery is a verified wine-farm accommodation listing in the Stellenbosch (audit region: Stellenbosch). Stay types noted: cottage, self_catering, farmstay.

Named properties: Poppelien; Harmonie; Kelderhuis.

Three self-catering cottages on the wildlife winery — Poppelien and Harmonie (sleep 4) plus Kelderhuis above the cellar (sleep 8).

Setting / views noted: Cape Dutch estate gardens; Kelderhuis overlooks working barrel cellar; wildlife/Big Cats Park on farm.

Amenities flagged in the audit: kids welcome, self-catering, onsite restaurant.

Published from R2200 (per unit, 2026). Bases differ across estates — do not compare unlike bases as equal nightly prices.

We only publish facts from official sources gathered in the stay audit (Last checked 5 October 2026). Re-confirm units, min stays, child policy and load-shedding backup on the estate’s own booking page before you pay a deposit.

Travellers comparing Stellenbosch wine-farm stays should match stay type (hotel vs cottage), dated rate basis, and child or pet rules before shortlisting Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery.

Before you book

  • The listed rate is per unit. Confirm the season before you compare.
Does Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery offer wine farm accommodation?

Yes — our audit marks has_accommodation as

yes

, with named stay products listed above.

What are the property names?

Poppelien; Harmonie; Kelderhuis.

What is the rate from?

From

R2200

, basis

per unit

, year

2026

. Re-confirm before booking; seasonal specials may differ.

Which amenities are flagged?

Audit flags include: kids welcome, self-catering, onsite restaurant. Policies change — confirm in writing for your dates.

Are children welcome?

Kids welcome is flagged yes in the audit — confirm cot/extra-bed policy and any min age for spa or restaurant areas.

Stay notes checked 5 October 2026. Confirm the rate and what is open before you book. Book. Source. More stays in Stellenbosch. With kids. Weddings.

Weddings here

Feestafel intimate weddings with thatch chapel or garden ceremony and homemade hostess catering on a wildlife wine farm

Hosts weddings. Up to 180 seated. About 39 min from Cape Town. 29 min from the airport.

In-house cateringChapelSmall weddingOutdoorIndoor

Feestafel (fairy-lit thatch/lattes venue with lounge bar); Banketsaal; Plaaslik hall/loft (secondary capacities); small chapel; lawns/lakeside

Thatch-roof chapel (indoor); garden ceremony among vineyards/mountains

Working wine farm; lawns, lakeside, vineyards and mountain photo opportunities; Big Cat Park on estate

Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery is a wine-farm wedding venue in Stellenbosch, known for working wine farm. Feestafel intimate weddings with thatch chapel or garden ceremony and homemade hostess catering on a wildlife wine farm.

At a glance

  • Capacity: 180 seated; 200 standing
  • Spaces: Feestafel (fairy-lit thatch/lattes venue with lounge bar); Banketsaal; Plaaslik hall/loft (secondary capacities); small chapel; lawns/lakeside
  • Ceremony: Thatch-roof chapel (indoor); garden ceremony among vineyards/mountains
  • Chapel: yes
  • Accommodation: unknown
  • Catering: in-house
  • Coordinator: yes

It suits elopements or smaller celebrations where noted in the estate materials.

Rates on enquiry. Enquire via feestafel@vredenheim.co.za.

+2 Feestafel wedding content + wedding package PDF listed on site (2025-2026); +1 chapel + garden ceremony; +1 capacity (Feestafel event info PDF cited up to 120 with dancing / 180 seated / 200 Indoor/outdoor use: both.

Last checked 5 October 2026 against the estate's official information. Confirm details directly before booking.

How many guests can Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery seat?

180 seated, with standing capacity 200 as audited from published materials — confirm for your floor plan.

Can we have an outdoor ceremony at Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery?

Published ceremony options include: Thatch-roof chapel (indoor); garden ceremony among vineyards/mountains. Confirm weather plans when you book.

What does a wedding at Vredenheim Wildlife & Winery cost?

Rates are on enquiry. Ask for a written quote covering venue hire, catering and any accommodation.

Is catering in-house?

Yes — in-house or on-estate catering is indicated in the published materials.

Wedding notes checked 5 October 2026. Guest numbers and packages change. Ask the farm for the current offer. Enquire. Brochure. Source. More wedding farms in Stellenbosch. With kids. Stay. Tours.

Tours that stop here

All wine tours

Questions before you go

Where is Vredenheim Wine Farm?

Vredenheim Wine Farm is at Vredenheim Wine Farm, R310 Baden Powell Dr, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch. Most visitors drive there from Cape Town in 45–60 minutes.

When is Vredenheim Wine Farm open?

Open Sunday. Hours change, so call +27 60 387 5593 before you drive.

How much is a wine tasting at Vredenheim Wine Farm?

Walk-in. Prices change, so confirm when you book.

Can I bring my dog to Vredenheim Wine Farm?

The wine route lists Vredenheim Wine Farm as pet-friendly. Keep dogs on a lead and call +27 60 387 5593 to check which areas allow them.

Is Vredenheim Wine Farm open on Sundays?

The wine route lists Vredenheim Wine Farm as open on Sundays. Sunday hours are often shorter, so call +27 60 387 5593 first.

Can I stay over at Vredenheim Wine Farm?

Yes, the farm offers accommodation. Call +27 60 387 5593 for rates and availability.

Wine of Origin

Geographical unit: Western Cape → Coastal Region → Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is the flagship Wine of Origin district of the Cape: granite mountains, university town, and the densest cluster of visitor-ready wine farms in the country.

Terroir snapshot

Elevation and soil figures are modelled at the pin, not a vineyard block survey. Use them to compare farms, not to quote a technical sheet.

Latitude
-33.935277
Longitude
18.859444
Elevation
110 m (Open-Meteo)

Sources

  • OpenStreetMap node 12537996504
  • Phone, hours, and facilities: farm website
  • Wine route membership: association listing
  • Wine list: wine.co.za
  • Family notes: farm website, checked 5 October 2026
  • Stay notes: farm website, checked 5 October 2026
  • Wedding notes: farm website, checked 5 October 2026
  • Tours: operator pages
  • Elevation: Open-Meteo
  • Soil: ISRIC SoilGrids

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