Cupcakes, Fudge & Chocolate: Dessert & Wine Pairings You Have to Try in Stellenbosch!

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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!

Cupcakes, Fudge & Chocolate: Dessert & Wine Pairings You Have to Try in Stellenbosch! Fun dessert and wine pairings in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

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.

Wine tasting at Delheim, Stellenbosch with an intimate setting and impressive collection of wine

Wine sampling at Delheim, Stellenbosch with macro details of the wine glasses, historic photos and unique bottles of wine

 

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.

Cupcake and wine pairing at Delheim in Stellenbosch, South Africa with an assortment of sweet flavours to choose from

Wine and cupcake tasting at Delheim in Stellenbosch, South Africa trying red, white and rose with different cupcakes

 

 

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.

Wine tasting at Avontuur Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa with horses grazing on a beautiful property with mountain backdrop

Touring Avontuur Estate in Stellenbosch with macro details of the white flowers, pathways and Audrey Bergner That Backpacker posing

The studs at Avontuur lined up horses posing with mountain views

 

 

 

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.

Fudge and wine pairing at Avontuur in Stellenbosch as a delicious combination in South Africa

Wine and fudge pairing for dessert lovers with an assortment of different kinds to try in Stellenbosch, South Africa!

 

 

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.

Wine tasting at Lovane, Stellenbosch with beautiful fall foliage on display in all of its macro detail glory in South Africa

Chocolate and wine pairing at Lovane with bottles lined up and That Backpacker enjoying the ambience both inside and outside in Stellenbosch

 

 

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!

Cupcakes lined up in a row in Stellenbosch to be paired with wine in South Africa

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 estatesDriving distance (each leg)
Central Stellenbosch townDelheim → Muratie → Knorhoek5–10 min
Helderberg / Somerset WestAvontuur → Lourensford → Vergelegen7–15 min
Banhoek ValleyTokara → Thelema → Delaire Graff6–12 min

Aim for two—max three—sweet tastings in a single day.

Pairing Etiquette 101

  1. Bite first, sip second. The chef has calibrated sugar and spice so the wine “activates” hidden flavours.
  2. Verbalise what you taste. Sommeliers relay feedback to kitchen teams fine-tuning new menus.
  3. 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

OptionBest forProsCons
Dedicated shuttle / guideGroups & serious collectorsCooler boxes, insider storiesCosts more (R1 000+ day)
Blue tuk-tuksCouples after noveltyFixed-rate hops, breeze in your hairLimited luggage space
E-bike toursActive travellersZero parking stress, calorie burnSummer heat, fitness level
Appoint a DDFriend with will-powerCheapestSomebody skips the Chenin 😢
Honest artisanal chocolate being held in the hand in Stellenbosch, South Africa

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.
That Backpacker Audrey Bergner studying her cupcakes and wine pairing in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Seasonal Menus—Know Before You Go

SeasonTypical treatsMatching sips
Summer (Dec–Feb)Granadilla macarons, lemon-verbena sorbetCrisp Sauvignon Blancs
Autumn (Mar–May)Poached pear tartlets, fig & walnut fudgeSpicy Pinotage, fortified Hanepoot
Winter (Jun–Aug)Malva pudding bites, cinnamon doughnutsBarrel-aged Shiraz, mulled Cabernet
Spring (Sep–Nov)Elderflower cupcakes, honeycomb brittleFloral Chenin, blush MCC

Sweet Add-Ons Worth Booking in Advance

EstateExperienceWhy it’s special
Spier“Wine & Whisk” chocolate-tempering classMake & pair your own bonbons.
LourensfordBeekeeper tour + honey tastingSee bees that produce dessert-pairing honey.
BoschendalSaturday bottomless rosé brunchFarm 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:

DessertWine Pairing Suggestions
Malva PuddingLate harvest, Muscat, or Cape Vintage Port
Milk TartChenin Blanc, MCC, or Gewürztraminer
KoeksistersFloral white (Gewürztraminer) or sparkling Cap Classique
Peppermint Crisp TartSweet Rosé or demi-sec sparkling

Tip: Many wineries offer their own dessert creations—always ask about the day’s special or new pairings.

Nomadic Samuel sipping on wine in Stellenbosch, South Africa

🍷 How To: The Perfect Tasting Experience

Follow these steps for maximum flavor and fun:

  1. Wine First: Swirl, sniff, and taste. Notice fruit, spice, or floral notes.
  2. Then Dessert: Take a bite and pay attention to texture, sweetness, and mouthfeel.
  3. Sip Again: Notice how the flavors change—sometimes the wine feels fruitier, sometimes the dessert’s spice or creaminess shines through.
  4. Cleanse: Use water or a cracker between tastings to keep your palate fresh.
  5. 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.
Final cheers from That Backpacker Audrey Bergner tasting wine in Stellenbosch, South Africa

🌿 Sample Itinerary: One Sweet Day in Stellenbosch

TimeExperience
10amStart at Waterford for chocolate & wine pairing
12pmHead to Lanzerac for their heritage tasting
1:30pmPicnic lunch (market treats, bakery finds)
2:30pmAvontuur for fudge and wine
4pmFinish at Clos Malverne or Somerbosch for ice cream & wine
5:30pmSunset 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.

Join the Conversation

6 Comments

  1. says: Sarah

    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 🙂

    1. says: Audrey Bergner

      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! 🙂

  2. says: Rana Singh

    Great article and won’t lie but the pics are making me drool. Amazing pics. Thanx

  3. says: Irene

    You have the best of everything in one sentence: chocolate, cupcakes and wine!

  4. says: John Marc Ramirez

    Cupcakes and wine are both a perfect combination during celebrations!! Thank you for sharing this one :).

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