Wine estate · Tulbagh

Saronsberg

In summer the south-easter pushes into the Tulbagh basin and takes the edge off the afternoon heat. Just under five kilometres north of town stand the vines of Saronsberg, nearly all of them planted after 2003.

On 2 September 2003 a major fire burnt almost all of the farm's orchards and vineyards. Nick van Huyssteen then planted 50 hectares of new vines and built the cellar that same year. The place itself is old: vines were probably grown here from around 1710, after the term of Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel. Today Saronsberg stands for Rhône-style wines, Shiraz above all, and counts over 400 awards since 2004, by its own reckoning.

fire and fresh start
2003
of vines replanted
50 ha
awards since 2004, per the estate
400+
lead variety, Rhône style
Shiraz

The Classic tasting costs R160 and the Full Circle R220; the fee is waived if you buy wine worth R800 or R1,200 respectively (as of September 2026). There is no restaurant, and no picnics either. Instead there is art in the gallery, and you can stay in the cottages. On bookings, the estate website contradicts itself: it says "Bookings are essential", and on the same page that bookings are needed for groups of more than eight. When in doubt, book.

Cost
Classic R160, Full Circle R220, waived with purchases from R800 or R1,200, as of September 2026
When
Mon to Fri 10:00 to 17:00, Sat and public holidays 10:00 to 14:00, Sun 10:00 to 13:00, as of September 2026

Our tipPair Saronsberg with Krone, about a kilometre further north as the crow flies, and book there in advance. Saronsberg serves no food; Rijk's near Tulbagh has a restaurant open at lunchtime, as of September 2026.

Town guide: Tulbagh

Saronsberg: frequently asked questions

Do you need to book a tasting at Saronsberg?

The Saronsberg website contradicts itself: it says bookings are essential in one place and only needed for groups of more than eight in another (as of September 2026). The safer choice is to book ahead.

Can you eat at Saronsberg?

No, Saronsberg near Tulbagh has no restaurant and no picnics. It does have an art gallery and cottages to stay in.

What happened at Saronsberg in 2003?

On 2 September 2003 a major fire destroyed almost all the orchards and vineyards at Saronsberg near Tulbagh. Nick van Huyssteen then replanted 50 hectares of vines and built the cellar the same year.