Laborie Wine Estate

Laborie Wine Estate sits at the foot of Paarl Mountain on Taillefer Street, one of the Cape's oldest agricultural addresses. The land has been under vine since 1691, when French Huguenot settler Jean Taillefert -- a winemaker from the Loire Valley -- received the grant and planted what would become one of Paarl's founding vineyards. The Taillefert family brought with them a tradition of Cap Classique and fortified winemaking that still runs through Laborie's DNA more than three centuries later. The estate takes its name from 'La Borie,' a Provencal word for a small stone farm dwelling, and the connection to French agricultural heritage remains visible in every corner of the property.

For much of the twentieth century, Laborie operated as a showpiece estate under the KWV (Kooperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging), South Africa's powerful wine cooperative. During that era, the Cape Dutch manor house -- built in the late eighteenth century -- was maintained as a national monument and the estate became known for its gardens, its views of the Taal Monument, and its role in hosting dignitaries and state occasions. When KWV was restructured in the early 2000s, Laborie passed into the hands of the Beck Family, who also own Graham Beck and have since invested heavily in transforming the estate into what they call a 'vineyard village.'

The transformation has been comprehensive. The historic Manor House has been revived as the home of wine tasting, where guests choose from elegant MCCs and crisp whites to bold reds and fortified favourites. Two restaurants now anchor the estate's food offering. Stoep is a bistro-style venue with a living garden on one side and mountain views on the other, serving seasonal lunch and dinner daily from midday, with a three-course business lunch on weekdays and live-music Thursday evenings at R240 for three courses. Suzanne, the estate's second restaurant, offers coffee, cocktails, and small plates in a more intimate setting.

The Farm Grocer, a curated farm shop, stocks locally sourced produce, artisanal goods, a butchery with premium cuts, and a selection of wines from Laborie and the broader Drakenstein region. The grocer also hosts a monthly Wine Club on Thursday evenings, featuring a different winery each month with canapes and R100 towards a bottle purchase.

Accommodation is spread across the estate in three distinct offerings: Vineyard Suites with views over the vines, Werf Rooms in the estate's historic working yard, and a private Villa. All were styled by the late interior designer Jan Blok, blending contemporary elegance with calming neutral tones that complement the estate's historic architecture.

Laborie has positioned itself as a weddings and events destination, with the Audrium -- a purpose-built venue seating up to 250 -- hosting conferences, celebrations, and film screenings. The estate's gardens, mountain backdrop, and historic buildings provide a distinctive setting for vineyard weddings. Walking and cycling trails wind through the property, connecting visitors with the landscape that has sustained viticulture here for over three hundred years.

The estate's wine tasting experience, held Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00 and Sundays 11:00 to 17:00, offers guided tastings through Laborie's range. Seasonal picnic crates are available to enjoy on the lawns or between the vines, with platters ranging from fruit and cheese to full charcuterie boards.