As a self-professed foodie with an affinity for desserts, there’s nothing I enjoy more in life than a little something sweet, so as you can probably imagine, I was more than a little giddy when I discovered that there are a few wineries in Stellenbosch that offer dessert and wine pairings. Yes, we’re talking cupcakes, fudge and chocolate here!
Today I’m going to be highlighting three wineries that are perfect for dessert lovers as well as suggesting a few others that are still on my foodie bucket list, so let’s dive right in.
Cupcake and Wine Pairing at Delheim
First up, let’s talk about one of the most popular pairings in Stellenbosch: wine and cupcakes!
For this wine tasting, we visited Delheim, which is a family-owned estate on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain. After enjoying a delicious Cape Malay meal at their restaurant, we moved to their downstairs tasting room, known as the Cellardoor.
Here we each received a tray with four different types of cupcakes and accompanying wines. There was a Pomegranate Cupcake with a Pinotage Rosé, a Rooibos Cupcake with a Chenin Blanc Wild Ferment, a Pumpkin Cupcake with a Pinotage, and a Makataan Cupcake paired with a Gewürztraminer.
All four pairings were absolutely delicious and I devoured every last crumb, but if I had to choose favourites, I would go with the Makataan and Gewürztraminer. I know the name is a bit of a mouthful, but basically, the Makataan is a wild melon with a sweet yellow flesh (this is used in the icing and you also get a tiny bit of the candied fruit on top), and the Gewürztraminer is a white wine that is fresh and fruity.
I don’t know if I enjoyed the wine more because of the cupcakes, or the cupcakes more because of the wine, but either way, it was a really fun wine pairing!
As a quick note: the cupcake menu is always evolving and changing according to the season, so you may find something slightly different when you visit, but I’m sure it’ll be wonderful either way – Delheim knows what it’s doing in the wine and cupcake department! I should also mention that Delheim is the only winery to offer a wine and cupcake pairing, so they are worth seeking out.
Address: Delheim Wine Estate, Knorhoek Road, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa
Fudge and Wine Pairing at Avontuur
Avontuur Wine Estate has been producing wine grapes for more than 140 years, and during that time they’ve managed to come up with a whole range of award winning wines. They’ve also discovered that wine and fudge are a match made in heaven, which brings us to our next wine pairing.
After touring their beautiful property which is home to champion studs, we walked back to the tasting room ready to sample their creations. Here we each received a white box with Basilei Handcrafted Confectionary emblazoned in blue and gold.
The box contained five different types of fudge and nougat: Dark Chocolate Fudge, Mint Chocolate Fudge, Cocoa and Caramel Fudge, Fig and Walnut Nougat, and Cranberry and Macadamia Nougat.
This selection of fudge was paired with a range of white and red wines, and let me tell you, it worked! The evidence is in the fact that we hardly used the spittoon, opting instead to drink all the wine. My favourite of the day was Luna de Miel which is a Chardonnay, and as for my favourite fudge, that would have to be the Mint Chocolate.
Have you ever tasted something so amazing that you knew everything else would pale in comparison afterwards? That’s what that bar of fudge did to me.
Now for the saddest part of the day; I was so looking forward to eating the rest of my fudge back at the hotel – I had visions of sitting in bed, a cup of tea in hand, and maybe watching some YouTube or Netflix – but then the worst thing happened…I forgot my whole box of fudge on the table! I’m still mourning that box a month later.
Address: Avontuur Estate, 7130 R44, Firgrove Rural, Somerset West, 7130, South Africa
Chocolate and Wine Pairing at Lovane
I visited Lovane on my first trip to Stellenbosch two years ago, and while I didn’t get to go back on this latest trip – so many wineries, so little time! – I do remember their wine and chocolate pairing, which I thought was cleverly unusual.
It’s been a few years since that visit, so I don’t remember the exact wines we had, but I do remember their chocolates (you can tell my priorities!) including: milk chocolate with liquorice, dark chocolate with chilli flakes, and dark chocolate with sea salt.
Their tasting room was located at basement level and they had exposed brick walls and wine barrels as tables, so it was cozy and casual down there, which I enjoyed.
Address: Lovane Boutique Wine Estate, Polkadraai Rd, Stellenbosch, 7604, South Africa
So there you have it, three wine pairings for the wine lover with a serious sweet tooth! There are a few other wineries in Stellenbosch that also offer wine and chocolate pairings including: Waterford, Lanzerac, Rudera and Bilton. I haven’t visited these myself, but if you’re looking to do a wine and chocolate themed road trip, you could try and hit them all up!
I’ve also read that you can find wine and ice cream pairings at Clos Malverne and Somerbosch, so it looks like I have good reason to return to Stellenbosch. I hope this is a continuing trend because you can’t go wrong with a glass of wine and a little something sweet in my opinion!
Your DIY Guide to Stellenbosch’s Sweet-Tooth Trail
Below you’ll find everything you need to turn three or four estates into a seamless day out—timing tips, etiquette hacks, savoury pit-stops, and transport options
Map Your “Dessert Triangle”
Why it matters: Stellenbosch is compact on a map. But farm roads twist up mountains and down valleys, so poor planning can leave you zig-zagging instead of tasting.
If you’re based in… | Build your route around these estates | Driving distance (each leg) |
---|---|---|
Central Stellenbosch town | Delheim → Muratie → Knorhoek | 5–10 min |
Helderberg / Somerset West | Avontuur → Lourensford → Vergelegen | 7–15 min |
Banhoek Valley | Tokara → Thelema → Delaire Graff | 6–12 min |
Aim for two—max three—sweet tastings in a single day.
Pairing Etiquette 101
- Bite first, sip second. The chef has calibrated sugar and spice so the wine “activates” hidden flavours.
- Verbalise what you taste. Sommeliers relay feedback to kitchen teams fine-tuning new menus.
- Don’t rush. Bookings rarely boot you out—linger, journal, catch that extra photo of ganache dripping down the side of your glass.
Ward Off Sugar Crash With Savoury Interludes
- Tokara Delicatessen – charcuterie & local goat cheese, panoramic deck.
- Middelvlei – DIY boerewors braai at your table, farm cats for company.
- Haskell Vineyards – grab-and-go cheese + baguette for a shady picnic among the Cape fynbos.
A salty snack and sparkling water will rescue your palate before round two.
Getting Around With Ease
Option | Best for | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Dedicated shuttle / guide | Groups & serious collectors | Cooler boxes, insider stories | Costs more (R1 000+ day) |
Blue tuk-tuks | Couples after novelty | Fixed-rate hops, breeze in your hair | Limited luggage space |
E-bike tours | Active travellers | Zero parking stress, calorie burn | Summer heat, fitness level |
Appoint a DD | Friend with will-power | Cheapest | Somebody skips the Chenin 😢 |

Budgeting the Sugar Rush
- Cupcake flights: R120–R150
- Fudge boxes: R100–R130
- Chocolate trios: R80–R110
- Tasting fee often waived when you purchase 2+ bottles.
- Travelling on a shoestring? Share one pairing—servers will happily split pours into two glasses.

Seasonal Menus—Know Before You Go
Season | Typical treats | Matching sips |
---|---|---|
Summer (Dec–Feb) | Granadilla macarons, lemon-verbena sorbet | Crisp Sauvignon Blancs |
Autumn (Mar–May) | Poached pear tartlets, fig & walnut fudge | Spicy Pinotage, fortified Hanepoot |
Winter (Jun–Aug) | Malva pudding bites, cinnamon doughnuts | Barrel-aged Shiraz, mulled Cabernet |
Spring (Sep–Nov) | Elderflower cupcakes, honeycomb brittle | Floral Chenin, blush MCC |
Sweet Add-Ons Worth Booking in Advance
Estate | Experience | Why it’s special |
---|---|---|
Spier | “Wine & Whisk” chocolate-tempering class | Make & pair your own bonbons. |
Lourensford | Beekeeper tour + honey tasting | See bees that produce dessert-pairing honey. |
Boschendal | Saturday bottomless rosé brunch | Farm eggs Benedict meets sparkling MCC. |
🍮 Local Desserts to Pair (Beyond the Usual)
Stellenbosch’s culinary scene means there’s always something new to try. Pair these South African classics with local wines:
Dessert | Wine Pairing Suggestions |
---|---|
Malva Pudding | Late harvest, Muscat, or Cape Vintage Port |
Milk Tart | Chenin Blanc, MCC, or Gewürztraminer |
Koeksisters | Floral white (Gewürztraminer) or sparkling Cap Classique |
Peppermint Crisp Tart | Sweet Rosé or demi-sec sparkling |
Tip: Many wineries offer their own dessert creations—always ask about the day’s special or new pairings.

🍷 How To: The Perfect Tasting Experience
Follow these steps for maximum flavor and fun:
- Wine First: Swirl, sniff, and taste. Notice fruit, spice, or floral notes.
- Then Dessert: Take a bite and pay attention to texture, sweetness, and mouthfeel.
- Sip Again: Notice how the flavors change—sometimes the wine feels fruitier, sometimes the dessert’s spice or creaminess shines through.
- Cleanse: Use water or a cracker between tastings to keep your palate fresh.
- Order Matters: Taste from lightest to richest, ending with the boldest wine and dessert.
🗺️ Planning Your Own Stellenbosch Sweet Safari
- Reserve Ahead: Bookings are recommended—especially at popular spots like Waterford, Lanzerac, or Clos Malverne.
- Designate a Driver or Book a Tour: Stellenbosch’s wine trams and guided tours let you taste safely and stress-free.
- Bring a Cooler Bag: Stock up on chocolates, fudge, and maybe a few cupcakes to savor later. Many estates have lovely picnic areas.
- Don’t Skip the Markets: Stellenbosch’s Slow Market (Saturday) is packed with artisanal sweets, pastries, and take-home treats.

🌿 Sample Itinerary: One Sweet Day in Stellenbosch
Time | Experience |
---|---|
10am | Start at Waterford for chocolate & wine pairing |
12pm | Head to Lanzerac for their heritage tasting |
1:30pm | Picnic lunch (market treats, bakery finds) |
2:30pm | Avontuur for fudge and wine |
4pm | Finish at Clos Malverne or Somerbosch for ice cream & wine |
5:30pm | Sunset stroll in the vineyards |
Have you tried any dessert and wine pairings?
What would you like to see paired with wine?
I visited Stellenbosch as part of the #Stellenblog campaign organized by Destinate.
Ahhh this is entirely unrelated but I saw you today! In Budapest! You were maybe 2 feet away when I realised, Sam dandering just behind you helped the recognition a bit. Then I didn’t wanna be the freak that calls out to strangers in the street, so raging I didn’t say hello though, you’re one of my favs. Next time 🙂
Ahh, that’s so cool! YouTubers in the wild. I hope we weren’t being too weird whatever we were doing. Have a great time in Budapest! 🙂
Great article and won’t lie but the pics are making me drool. Amazing pics. Thanx
What a fun day, desserts and wine!
You have the best of everything in one sentence: chocolate, cupcakes and wine!
Cupcakes and wine are both a perfect combination during celebrations!! Thank you for sharing this one :).