Tokara Wine Farm
Tokara Wine Estate, Helshoogte Road, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa+27 (0) 21 808 5900winelounge@tokara.com
High on the Helshoogte Pass above Stellenbosch, Tokara Wine Estate is one of the Cape's most complete wine destinations. Award-winning wines, a serious art collection, estate-pressed olive oil and a tasting lounge with views across the vineyards to False Bay and Table Mountain make it a must on any Stellenbosch wine day.
Known for
Cabernet
Plus Sauvignon Blanc, art & olive oil
Tokara sits on the upper slopes of the Simonsberg, on the mountain road between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, so the drive in is part of the experience. It's one of the estates we recommend most often in our guide to the top wine farms in Stellenbosch.
At a glance: Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauvignon Blanc | Director's Reserve blends | Fine-dining restaurant & deli | Art gallery & sculpture garden | Estate olive oil | Helshoogte Pass views
Our Visit to Tokara
Visited by: Quinton, September 2026 Experience: Reserve Tasting Our standout: Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon
Tokara is a seriously impressive estate. Inside, it's modern with an industrial edge, and as you walk in you can see through to the cellar and its stainless steel tanks. Glass panoramic windows look out over vineyards rolling in every direction. There's beautiful art on the walls, two huge fireplaces sit side by side, and on a warm day the windows open to let the breeze through.
Tokara is known for its Director's Reserve wines, its art collection and its olive oil, and there's a wide range of tastings to choose from. I went for the Reserve Tasting because I wanted to sample two whites and two reds of real quality. The higher-end tastings don't cost drastically more, and they give you the chance to taste something genuinely special.
- Reserve Collection Elgin Sauvignon Blanc: very mineral on the nose, with plenty of minerality on the palate too. A lovely, well-rounded structure and a really lovely wine to drink.
- Reserve Collection Chardonnay: a lovely, well-structured flavour profile with a fine, mouth-filling finish. Like the Sauvignon Blanc, a very delicious wine.
- Reserve Collection Syrah: heavy on dark fruit from the first sip, but incredibly delicious. Very well rounded with a beautifully smooth finish: a magnificent wine.
- Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon: dark fruit comes through at the start, then it turns wonderfully soft and velvety. That smoothness comes from removing the pips before the skins are soaked in the juice. My personal favourite, and worth the visit on its own.
Come for the Cabernet and the breathtaking views, and if you're visiting in winter, grab a seat by the fireplaces. It's easily one of my favourite wine estates in the Cape.
These are Quinton's impressions of the wines tasted in September 2026. Tastings and vintages on offer may change.
The Estate
Tokara combines wine, food, art and olive oil on one estate:
Mountain vineyards
Home vineyards on the granite slopes of the Simonsberg, cooled by breezes from False Bay, plus cool-climate fruit from Elgin.
Tasting lounge
A modern, architect-designed lounge with a view into the fermentation cellar and panoramic windows over the vineyards.
Art
Contemporary South African art inside, William Kentridge tapestries in the restaurant, and sculpture in the gardens.
Olive oil
The estate presses its own extra virgin olive oil from olive groves planted on the farm.
Wine & Tasting
Tokara focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, with wines made across three collections:
- Premium Collection: fruit-driven wines from a range of vineyard sites.
- Reserve Collection: single-vineyard wines made in limited quantities, including the Elgin Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah and Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon we tasted.
- Director’s Reserve: the estate's flagship Bordeaux-style blends.
- Something special: you can also try the XO Potstill Brandy, or a glass of Telos, Tokara's top Cabernet Sauvignon.
Current tastings and prices are on the Tokara website. Cheese platters and olive oils are available with your tasting.
Food at Tokara
Tokara Restaurant
Fine dining from Executive Chef Carolize Coetzee, built around local produce and paired with estate wines. Booking recommended.
Tokara Delicatessen
A relaxed, family-friendly spot among the olive groves with a seasonal menu, pizzas, coffee, olive oil products and a children's playground.
Good to Know & Essential Details
| Location | Helshoogte Pass (R310), Stellenbosch, on the upper slopes of the Simonsberg |
| Tasting lounge | Daily, 10:00 to 17:30 (closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day) |
| Collections | Premium, Reserve and Director's Reserve, plus Telos and XO Potstill Brandy |
| Dining | Tokara Restaurant (fine dining) and Tokara Delicatessen (casual, family-friendly) |
| Families | The Delicatessen has a playground and is the easiest stop with children |
| Also on the estate | Art gallery, sculpture garden, olive oil tasting, weddings and corporate events |
Why Visit Tokara?
- The views: panoramic windows over vineyards, with False Bay and Table Mountain in the distance.
- Top-tier Cabernet: the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was the highlight of our visit.
- More than wine: art, olive oil and two very different places to eat.
- Easy to combine: Tokara sits on the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, so it fits naturally into a day on the Stellenbosch Wine Route.
Insider tip
Skip the entry-level flight and book the Reserve Tasting. It doesn't cost drastically more, and the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is worth the trip on its own. In winter, ask for a seat by the fireplaces; on a warm day, the windows open onto the view.
Visit Tokara on a Wine Tour
Add Tokara to a private day in the Winelands. Build it into a full-day private wine tour, or choose your own estates on a custom tour, with hotel pickup, a private guide and your tastings and lunch booked for you.
Plan a Custom Wine Tour → Ask about Tokara on WhatsAppFrequently Asked Questions
Where is Tokara Wine Estate?
On the Helshoogte Pass above Stellenbosch, on the upper slopes of the Simonsberg, between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
Which tasting should I book at Tokara?
On our visit in September 2026, we chose the Reserve Tasting: two whites and two reds from the Reserve Collection. It doesn't cost drastically more than the entry-level options, and the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was the standout.
What is Tokara known for?
Its Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, the Director's Reserve blends, its art collection and its estate-pressed olive oil.
Can I eat at Tokara?
Yes. Tokara Restaurant offers fine dining, and the Tokara Delicatessen serves a relaxed seasonal menu with pizzas and coffee.
Is Tokara child-friendly?
The Delicatessen is the best stop with children, with a playground among the olive groves.
Can you include Tokara in a wine tour?
Yes. Tokara fits well into a full-day private wine tour or a custom wine tour, and we'll book your tasting or lunch.