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Explore the top 10 places to go wine tasting in Johannesburg
The wine culture in South Africa is as strong as ever with a thriving wine industry spread across the country. One of the best cities to go wine-tasting is Johannesburg with its different types of restaurants, pubs, and bars!
With so many wines and spirits to try out, we’ve listed the top places to go wine tasting in Johannesburg. Put on your wine connoisseur hat as we take your palette on a spirit-filled journey!
1. Solo Sandton
Address: 24 Central, Shop 2A, Central Centre Cnr Gwen Lane, Fredman Dr, &, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
Distance from JO: 22 minutes
Website: https://solosandton.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 10 100 8043
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Monday, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Solo Sandton is the wine-tasting place to be if you want something classy. The best part about this hotel is its wine cellar tunnel displaying the different beverages available to help you choose which one to try out next.
Pair your spirits with delectable food from their menu. Some of their best-sellers include chicken korma, sushi platter, lamb chops, and strawberry cheesecake for dessert—all perfectly served with your preferred beverage!
| Pro Tip: When ordering food here, make sure that you check the portion sizes with the wait staff. Some ala carte menu items aren’t just for one diner but might be good for sharing (such as their salads and pasta). |
2. Winehouse at Ten Bompas Hotel
Address: Ten Bompas Hotel, 10 Bompas Rd, Dunkeld West, Randburg, 2196, South Africa
Distance from JO: 20 minutes
Website: https://www.tenbompas.com/
Contact Number: +27 11 325 2442
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
True wine aficionados know that variety is what makes this life interesting, and that’s why the Winehouse at Ten Bompas Hotel is a must-visit for them. With one of the most comprehensive wine lists in South Africa, it’s hard not to fall in love with this restaurant.
They have champagne, sparkling wines, and some white and red wines. You can also go for their fruity merlots such as Jordan Black Magic, Groote Post, and Eagle’s Nest.
| Pro Tip: Wine-tasting events are usually held at the Winehouse every last Thursday of each month. During these dates, wine pairings are combined with three-course meals, making them highly sought after. Book in advance to reserve your slot! |
3. Clico Restaurant
Address: 27 Sturdee Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Website: https://clico.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 11 252 3300
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Closed on Sunday
For something more intimate, Clico Restaurant might be right up your alley. Going on a date in this restaurant is a fine way to spend the evening, especially with their flavourful local dishes and collection of South African wines.
These include exclusives such as the Quando Pinot Noir 2009, Painted Wolf Merlot 2011, and the La Vierge Jezebelle Chardonnay 2012. You can also enjoy these beverages with some bar food items like roasted lamb neck, ostrich fillet,
| Pro Tip: You can skip the starters and the mains of this restaurant and go straight for desserts that are also paired with local wines. They have panna cotta and marmalade paired with their Lynx Viognier 2014 or De Grendel MCC. |
4. Eighteen13 Wine Shop & Tasting Room
Address: Cedar Square Centre, Willow Ave, Fourways, Johannesburg, 2068, South Africa
Website: https://www.eighteen13.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 71 002 3925
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
You can call this a wine-tasting room if you want, but we think you can also call this a wine library! With shelves lined with boutique South African wines and foreign alcoholic drinks, you can’t help but compare it to a well-stocked and organised library!
Some of their exclusive wine offerings include Wild Fermented Sauvignon Blanc from Solitary Vineyards, Smokkelman White Blend, and Bruce Cabernet Franc from Garajeest. You can pair these with either their cheeses or biltong (cured meat)!
| Pro Tip: Check out the “suggestions” wine shelf of this tasting room. It’ll give you some ideas of which wines to buy for yourself or for that special someone. |
5. Dry Dock Boutique Liquor
Address: 37 4th Ave, Parkhurst, Randburg, 2193, South Africa
Distance from JO: 20 minutes
Website: https://www.drydockliquor.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 82 866 9472
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Closed on Sunday
Dry Dock Boutique Liquor isn’t just for wine enthusiasts, as it also features other alcoholic beverages like whiskeys, beers, and spirits (gin, rum, tequila, etc.). Simply put, if you want to try out local and foreign drinks, you need to check this boutique out!
They usually host wine and beer tastings on specific days, so make sure that you check their social media page for updates. You can also check out their online shop for any sales; their Baleia Chardonnay x 6 is on sale as of this writing!
| Pro Tip: If a special occasion is coming up, you can also give the gift of liquor to your special someone or your buddy. Visit the gifting page of the shop to check out some wines packed in classy gift boxes. |
6. The Spier Tasting Room at Indaba Hotel
Address: William Nicol Drive, Pieter Wenning Rd, Fourways, Johannesburg, 2055, South Africa
Website: https://www.indabahotel.co.za/Tasting-Room/tasting-room.html/
Contact Number: +27 11 840 6600
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Closed from Monday to Tuesday
You might not have the time to visit a far-flung wine farm, but the Spier Tasting Room has that rural kind of vibe that will make you feel like you’re in one! The ambience of the venue is phenomenal with greenery and rustic furniture dotting the wine-tasting area.
Their wine-tasting events usually involve pairings with cheese and meat platters. One of their best-sellers is Visio Vintners Pinotage 2020, best enjoyed with a cheese or meat platter.
| Pro Tip: You can learn more about local wines by taking up a wine course such as those offered by the Cape Wine Academy. They hold these wine classes at the Spier Tasting Room, so check out their social media feed for the schedule. |
7. Gerakaris Family Wines
Address: REEA Complex, Gate B, Marlborough Ave, Craighall Park, Randburg, 2196, South Africa
Distance from JO: 23 minutes
Website: https://gerakaris.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 72 638 7636
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday, 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Closed from Monday to Tuesday
You can’t go any more local than the wines offered by Gerakaris Family Wines. They have been creating products in this winery since 2010 using locally sourced ingredients such as grapes coming from the Western Cape and Johannesburg itself.
They have regular wine-tasting sessions held in their modest but well-kept garden, and during these tasting events, you might even chat with the owners themselves. If you want to try their wines out, then you should reserve a table in advance!
| Pro Tip: Make sure that you arrive on time once you’ve reserved a slot for their wine tasting. Gerakaris Family Wines will only hold your table for 20 minutes before giving it to the next customer if you don’t arrive on time! |
8. Winebar
Address: 19 Dartfield Rd, Kramerville, Johannesburg, 2031, South Africa
Website: https://www.winebar.shop/
Contact Number: +27 0741515051
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Friday, 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Here at Winebar by Father Coffee, you can try out alternative wines from lesser-known winemakers. Think of it like an indie film; they may not offer the most expensive local wines in the country, but they sure keep up with the big players thanks to their taste!
Some of their more affordable wines to try out include the Aye Aye Cabernet Sauvignon, Barebones Colombar, and Break a Leg Chardonnay. You can also order some food plates while you taste these concoctions to complete your experience!
| Pro Tip: Aside from their wines, you can also check out the coffee at their Kramersville store. They offer classic coffee drinks such as espressos, long blacks, and macchiatos—ideal if you want a non-alcoholic buzz to your day! |
9. Acid Food & Wine Bar
Address: 19 4th Ave, Parktown North, Randburg, 2193, South Africa
Distance from JO: 18 minutes
Website: https://www.acidthebar.com/
Contact Number: +27 73 663 3976
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Thursday, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday, 12:00 NN to 10:00 PM
- Sunday, 12:00 NN to 3:00 PM
- Closed on Monday
Acid Food & Wine Bar is a casual wine-tasting venue that’s perfect for a quick catch-up with friends or a laid-back date with your partner. Aside from the amazing feel of this place, you also get an extensive selection of wines and spirits to try out.
You can check out their red wines, white wines, and bubbly drinks. There are bar snacks that you can order as well such as oysters, marinated olives, deep-fried squid, and Thai spring rolls, among others. Don’t expect a full meal or lunch here though.
| Pro Tip: Acid Food & Wine Bar doesn’t just offer wine-tasting and bar snacks. If you have any upcoming event that you want them to host, send an email to let them know the details and your estimated budget. |
10. Klein Bietjie Wyn
Address: 71 7th Street, Linden
Distance from JO: 20 minutes
Website: https://thefatzebra.co.za/locations/klein-bietjie-wyn/
Contact Number: +276 335-9541
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Thursday, 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday, 12:00 NN to 10:00 PM
- Sunday, 10:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Klein Bietjie Wyn has an industrial vibe to it thanks to its warehouse-like walls and elegant fixtures. They offer a fantastic array and variety of wines for you to taste after a long day in the office.
They have champagnes, chardonnays, white and red blends, and pinots. If you’re a non-wine drinker, there are other products you can check out as well such as their lagers, gins, and whiskey—all perfectly paired with the restaurant’s charcuterie board!
| Pro Tip: If you want to enjoy something more filling, then check out the other menu items. Klein Bietjie Wyn is under the Fat Zebra Restaurant, which offers delicious steaks and breakfast items if you’re feeling a bit hungry! |
