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The Ultimate Guide to Wine Tasting at Benguela Cove
Posted by Benguela Cove Investments On 2025-12-15T17:07:47Z
Your Complete Visitor Experience
Experience one of the world's best vineyards with our comprehensive guide to making the most of your visit to Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate.
When you visit Benguela Cove, you're not just visiting any wine estate – you're experiencing one of the world's best vineyards, with the unique distinction of being South Africa's only ocean-facing vineyard. Located just one hour from Cape Town, this WWF Conservation Champion estate offers an unforgettable wine tourism experience that combines award-winning cool-climate wines with breathtaking ocean views.
Why is Benguela Cove Truly Unique?
Our impressive 2.7-kilometre stretch of vines is planted at a mere 3 metres above sea level. This unique marine terroir, combined with the cooling effect of the Benguela Current flowing from Antarctica, creates ideal cool-climate conditions. This distinct environment slows the ripening process, producing the complex, elegant, and 5-star rated wines you won't find anywhere else in South Africa.
- 100% Estate Grown: Every bottle is grown, produced, and bottled on the estate, guaranteeing premium quality from vine to glass.
- Open Seven Days a Week: We welcome visitors every single day of the week, offering flexibility for your wine tasting trip.
- World-Class Destination: Our location in the Walker Bay area ensures an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and naturally stunning.
Planning Your Perfect Day Out
Operating Hours (Tasting Room)
| Season | Daily Opening Hours |
| Spring & Summer | 09:30 – 20:00 |
| Autumn & Winter | 09:30 – 18:00 |
Best Time to Visit
- Photography: Early morning (9–10 AM) or late afternoon (3–4 PM) for the best lighting over the ocean-vineyard landscape.
- Intimate Experience: Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, perfect for couples.
- Whale Watching Season: Plan your visit between June and December (peak is often September/October) to spot Southern Right Whales in Walker Bay from the estate.
Our Signature Wine Tasting Experiences & Pricing
We offer a range of experiences tailored for every enthusiast. Advance reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot.
Signature Estate Tasting:
- Highlights: A guided tasting of 5 award-winning estate wines, focusing on our elegant, cool-climate style and the influence of our unique marine terroir.
- Price: R220 per person.
- Duration: Approximately 45 minutes.
Hippolytas Chocolate & Wine Pairing:
- Highlights: 5 exquisite wine pairings matched with artisanal chocolates. Learn how complementary flavours can perfectly enhance both the wine and the cocoa.
- Price: R450 per person.
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
Gourmet Oyster & Wine Pairing:
- Highlights: Freshly shucked local oysters, prepared in four unique styles, perfectly matched with four of our crisp, marine-influenced estate wines. A true celebration of our coastal location.
- Price: R450 per person.
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
Klein River Cheese Pairing:
- Highlights: 5 delicious local cheeses from Klein River, expertly paired with 5 of our award-winning wines, highlighting regional flavours.
- Price: R360 per person.
- Duration: Guided.
Cellar Tour and Tasting:
- Highlights: Go behind the scenes with a fascinating journey into our state-of-the-art cellar. See how our award-winning wines are crafted, followed by a tasting of two wines.
- Price: R400 per person.
- Duration: Guided.
Benguela Cove is a destination itself, easily reached via a scenic drive from Cape Town.
- Address: R43, Bot River Lagoon, Walker Bay, Hermanus.
- Transport: We highly recommend arranging a designated driver or transport service.
- Accessibility: Ample free parking and wheelchair-accessible facilities are available.
How to Book
While walk-ins are welcome for general tastings, always book in advance for pairings, tours, and restaurant reservations to avoid disappointment.
- Phone for Enquiries/Bookings: 087 357 0637
- Online Bookings: Visit our wine experiences page online.
Group Bookings and Private Functions
We specialize in creating memorable experiences for groups, whether corporate events, wedding parties, or special celebrations. Our events team can customize experiences to match your group's preferences and budget.
Ready to book your ultimate wine tasting adventure and discover why we are one of the world's best vineyards to visit?
Book today