Under Oaks Estate

Under Oaks is one of those rare Cape wine estates where you can feel history in the very ground beneath your feet. Established in 1695 as a freehold granted by Governor Simon van der Stel, the property on the Noord Agter-Paarl Road is among the oldest farms in South Africa -- a distinction it wears lightly, with the ease of a place that has been welcoming visitors for centuries rather than preserving itself behind glass.

The farm's early history is intertwined with the story of Ansela van Bengale, a founding mother of the Basson family, whose descendants helped shape the agricultural character of the Paarl valley. Through Dutch colonial rule, British administration, and the arc of South African history, the land endured -- vines, fruit trees, and the towering oak trees that would eventually give the estate its modern name.

The contemporary wine story at Under Oaks began in 2001, when winemaker Bertus Fourie started producing boutique wines from the estate's vineyards. Working with Paarl's warm granite soils and a portfolio that includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Rose, Fourie crafts approximately 30,000 bottles annually -- small enough to maintain a hands-on approach in the cellar, large enough to offer visitors a genuine tasting experience. Wines are released under three labels: Under Oaks, Britz Brothers, and Grande Roche, each reflecting a different facet of the estate's terroir.

But what has made Under Oaks a household name across the Cape Winelands is the pizzeria. Housed in the original wine cellar, the rustic space was transformed by owner Marcelo Bassi into a destination in its own right. Thin-based, wood-fired pizzas emerge from the oven to be enjoyed alongside Under Oaks wines on the broad terrace beneath the ancient oaks, with views stretching across the vineyards to Paarl Mountain. On a warm Saturday afternoon, it is one of the most convivial spots in the winelands.

Beyond wine and pizza, the estate offers guesthouse accommodation for those who want to linger. The rooms are set among the oak trees and gardens, providing a tranquil base for exploring the Paarl wine route. A meeting room is available for small corporate retreats and private events, and the tasting room offers guided flights of the full range.

Under Oaks succeeds by not trying too hard. It is an estate where three centuries of history, honest boutique winemaking, and a wood-fired pizzeria come together in a setting so naturally appealing that visitors return season after season. Hansie Britz, the current custodian, maintains the family tradition of warm hospitality that has defined this corner of Paarl since the days of Simon van der Stel.