ONE OF THE first farms on the Stellenbosch Wine Route. Top Wine SA Hall of Fame. Producer of one of the best expressions of Pinotage and an ‘old vine' Chenin. Pioneer of bottle-fermented Cap Classique – Kaapse Vonkel (Cape Sparkle) being the first South African sparkling wine made according to the traditional method. Plenty of reasons to visit the Simonsig Family Vineyards of the Malan family in the KIoelenhof area north-west of the town – another attraction added in 2026 with the opening of their Vonkel restaurant.
Vonkel at Simonsig is a brunch and lunch spot open daily from 9am to 5pm. “The Med done right – pizza, pasta, bruschetta, tartare – is the anchor at the restaurant, but it’s complemented with a fun and unfussy selection of café favourites…” There’s seating indoors, but more inviting are the tables on the deck under the oaks, overlooking flowerbeds and lawns, flanked by the wine-tasting venues complete with water feature. Good service; friendly staff.
We can recommend the shared boards – the Langbult Steen and Cape Fox Chardonnay went well with the cheeses, bread and preserves. And the pizza was good – thick crust, thin base, the lamb-topping option enjoyed with a glass of Tiara, Simonsig’s Bordeaux-style red blend. Full menus and winelist here.
And who can resist the experience of the famous Kaapse Vonkel Brut. Or perhaps better still, a glass of the Simonsig Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs, with the 2022 vintage having been awarded double gold at the 2026 Cap Classique Challenge.
