When GT Ferreira purchased the Tokara farm in 1994, he planted classic varietals to complement the slowly-sloping land. This unique combination gives the wines at Tokara a strong structure and beautiful fruit expression.
Aside from wine tastings and dining experiences, Tokara also has a contemporary art gallery and peaceful walking trails through olive groves and vineyards. This is a perfect day out for couples, friends, or families.
Experience the Vineyards
In the heart of the Cape Winelands lies Tokara – on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg mountain, a fynbos-rich massif that’s been home to exceptional vineyards since the 17th century. Located at the top of Helshoogte Pass, Tokara’s vineyards and olive groves offer dramatic views over Stellenbosch and False Bay.
Tokara is a family-run estate with quality at its core – not only in its wines but also in the experience it offers visitors. The estate seeks to tell the story of its magical mountainous terrain in its wines and to provide a world-class experience for all who visit Tokara Wine Estate. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed by the sleek stone expanse of the winery, offering tastings by the fire in a grand lounge looking out onto hillsides and ocean, with Table Mountain visible on a clear day.
The Tokara Restaurant is a Cape architectural icon, combining glass, steel and stone to create a space that’s both intimate and contemporary. The restaurant serves terroir-focused, contemporary cuisine and Tokara’s wines. A four- or six-course Chef’s Selection menu is available, with all dishes expertly paired with the estate’s wines.
In the cosy, indoor wine shop and tasting room, Tokara’s knowledgeable staff guides visitors through a relaxed tasting of its full range of red and white wines. The winery’s lauded wines and extra virgin olive oils can be enjoyed with the restaurant’s delicious food or taken home as a cherished reminder of your time at Tokara.
Taste the Wines
At Tokara, a passion for craftsmanship is evident from the wines to the buildings and landscapes. The winery seamlessly blends traditional methods with modern technology in a way that honors the history of South African winemaking while remaining at the forefront of innovation.
The tasting room offers a variety of wines and olive oils from Tokara’s estates, each carefully crafted to showcase the vineyards and mountains. Guests are invited to enjoy a tasting alongside an experienced wine sommelier, who will be happy to recommend pairings for the dishes served at the Tokara Restaurant.
Visitors can also experience a guided tour of Tokara’s olive groves. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the farm’s award-winning olive oil, and the estate’s dedication to sustainability.
Tokara is renowned for its Bordeaux favorites such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as national stars like Shiraz and Chenin Blanc. Its two-label wines, Tokara and Zondernaam, represent classic varietal wines with a focus on elegance and balance.
The Tokara Restaurant is a popular fine-dining venue that serves contemporary South African cuisine paired with Tokara’s wines. Within its first year, the restaurant was awarded the prestigious Haute Performance Award from JHP Gourmet Guide and included in The World’s 50 Best Discovery list for 2020. The dining space is bedecked with William Kentridge tapestries, and diners can choose from an a la carte menu or tasting options of four or six courses.
Dine at Tokara Restaurant
At Tokara, quality is not just in the wine — it extends to the dining experience too. The farm’s sleek stone tasting room, engulfed by the vineyards and mountains that surround it, welcomes visitors for wine and olive oil tastings and a world-class meal.
The restaurant, which is located at the top of Helshoogte Pass, sits 400m above sea level and offers breath-taking views over Stellenbosch and False Bay. Diners sit in a polished stone dining room draped in large-scale tapestries by William Kentridge and bathed in natural light from the vast panoramic windows. Chef Carolize Coetzee draws on personal memories to create refined “plaaskos” (farm cuisine) such as roasted bonsmara beef served with lemon-glazed shimeji mushrooms and springbok loin drenched in clove and bay leaf jus, all paired with Tokara wines.
The Tokara wine and olive farm is a picture-perfect destination that features scenic strolls with aromas of fynbos to awaken the senses and beautiful sculptures by local artists. If you are in need of an escape, Tokara is a must-visit for all discerning travelers who value the finer things in life. Experience Tokara and all it has to offer on a day-trip or multi-day helicopter package with Sport Helicopters. Contact us today to start planning your trip to Tokara. We will take care of everything from start to finish, ensuring that you arrive at Tokara fully rested and with cherished memories.
Shop at Tokara’s Art Gallery
The family-run estate, nestled on the slopes of Simonsberg just outside Stellenbosch, has quality at its core – not only in its wines but also in the experiences it offers visitors. Wine tastings take place in a contemporary tasting room that opens out to reveal an expansive glass expanse with views of the vineyards, mountains and, on a clear day, Table Mountain. The wine menu includes a variety of white, rose and red wines plus an olive oil tasting featuring premium extra virgin oils from Tokara’s groves.
Art is present in every corner of the estate, from the restaurant to the sculptural garden filled with works by South African artists. In the main gallery, visitors can view the private collection of owner Eveleigh Schermers and a series of commercial exhibitions that rotate every few months. A map and mobile app for an arts route around the farm will soon be available, offering visitors a chance to self-guide their way through the estate’s various galleries.
The drinks list features a personal and evolving selection of fine wines, Tokara XO potstill brandy and cocktails. Wines are served already in the glass rather than being poured, which is a little frustrating. However, the service is friendly and enthusiastic.
