Rust en Vrede Wine Estate

Probably the best wine estate in Stellenbosch. It is definitely a bit more on the expensive side but the wines are exceptional. I would also recommend the wine makers lunch, salmon dish. We have probably had it 6 times already. The service is also amazing. I must take my hat off to the people working here and the management team.

Classy and glossy estate, it all shines around. Since stepping through the gate up to main entrance, everything neat and clean, sharp. At the wine tasting dozen of workers running after clients apparently. A great presentation. Substance? Let’s start saying we - two of us, stepping into the tasting room mid afternoon during festive season - had the impression that everyone around was busy not after clients and it was not peak time. In spite of tables out half empty, restaurant shut, no one out of the aforementioned dozen staff checked on us wanting to get acquainted of sitting & tasting. It took some time and effort to catch the attention of someone and to get harbor in the garden. At that point we started questioning and that’s exactly where one might start questioning. They claim to offer fine dining and fine wines. Not cheap, then. But there is serious intent on perfection here, and any tasting goes through protocol and storytelling to impress. Pity it does not deliver a thing. Soon customers will discover tasting limited to second-rate wines, the good ones their admission just for sales. Huh, that’s stellar marketing for some flawless, well-renowned, majestic, wine farm whose wines are sooo good to split them into a premium line and a commercial one. Rust en Vrede Wine does not belong to this class of farms, with or without the flock of honeyish reviews by self-styled local guides on here. The wine selection comes with Shiraz, Merlot, Red Estate as flagships incl. their ‘single wine yard’ versions it turns out being the worst red labels in the Stellenboch area so far second only to […] censured, please check through my reviews if interested. Reds either lack character or excess in acidity. Their ‘beautifully crafted blend, of the cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and merlot’ - bottle of R600 / € 30 for the record - it’s stoned closed up rich in acidity and tannins. In addition, we had the opportunity to taste the premium line - yes, we made it thanks to a nice and wise assistant keen to - and being vaguely poured in our glasses after we almost spitted out their bush-league labels. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and the Single Vineyard Cab come empty, flat, missing body, structure, finishing. It is not even a Cab almost. The sad side of story is that price range of Rust en Vrede wines turns to be one of the most expensive when compared to similar labels / competitors in the area. For short, one mark to the approach and quality of wines, the Estate itself has some nice views around the area even though with such wine tasting it won’t ever come to our mind to return. Place for gentrified clients. Other than that, if one won’t even look / understand the cultivars being poured in his glass, it can work.

Delectable food and wine experience. We had the winemakers lunch, which is a must if you're in the area. I had the steak, which was perfectly cooked, and my girlfriend had the salmon, also beautifully done. We followed it with a mini tasting of their three wines: a cab sav, Syrah, and blend. A nice way to finish it off.

Besutiful garden. Seems to be a place for lunch three options to choose from, as it was packed when we arrived at 2pm. Nice tasting. Got to taste three of their reds.

A truly fantastic spot to eat a delicious fillet or sirloin with chips and a glass of wine. The quality is excellent and consistently good. Make sure to sit outside underneath the trees to fully appreciate what the winelands has to offer. Large open grass area for the kids to play in while the adults enjoy good wine too! Make sure you wear your mask! Temperature taken upon entry.

This incredible farm was the first to host Nelson Mandela after he won his Nobel Peace Prize in 1996. The farm is a marvel with outstanding wines and a great menu for lunches. I would highly rate this farm for its flavours, thinking, ingenuity and warm hosts. Literally the only thing I would have liked more off is that the delicious wines were paired with food - however, I totally respect that it was the chef's and winemaker's intention not to have a tasting food menu because they wish for the guest to taste the wines uninterrupted. We have a fantastic table, but I do like the tasting room separate from restaurant vibes - preferably outside. The path driving in can be tricky to steer if it gets very busy. This is an incredibly popular and busy farm. A guest might not get space here if no bookings are made or if one is taking a chilled drive on holiday and wanted to stop for a quick tasting.

We went to Rust en Vrede on NYD and couldn’t have been happier with our choice! We enjoyed the winemaker lunch and tried their amazing wines. Everything was perfect from the very warm welcome of the staff to the tasty food and the amazing wines. We ended up ordering 48 bottles - shows how much we loved it!

We are super amazed the service quality at this restaurant, every single staffs who work at the restaurant are truly professional. Excellent service. The food is absolute delicious, I am the person who don’t normally eat deserts but with this restaurant I ate all the deserts . The chef came out to greet every single table which does not happen any other restaurants we visit in South Africa. Super friendly. We will definitely visit again .

Amazing gardens, which are rich in plants and trees. The staff was attentive and professionals. Food is simple for lunch with only three options beef fillet , sirloin or salmon. The fries could be hand cut and the salad a bit proper. Tasty wines. I would come again

Relaxing, with the food, as always, superb quality and tasty. Never never will I go to a restaurant where there is a large variaty like 50 items to choose fromThe smaller the menu the better the experience!!