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Stellenbosch · Western Cape

Mooiplaas Wine Estate

Mooiplaas Wine Estate is a wine farm in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. About 29 km from Cape Town.

29 km from Cape Town

Beautiful farm, Bottelary Hills

Mooiplaas Wine Estate & Private Nature Reserve—Afrikaans for “beautiful farm”—is a Roos-family working wine estate in the Bottelary Hills of Stellenbosch, roughly 40 km east of Cape Town. Vineyards climb steep slopes of ancient, mineral-rich soils with panoramic outlooks toward the Cape Peninsula. The farm’s documented history reaches 1806; the Cape Dutch manor house is a national monument. Nicolaas Roos bought the property in 1963; sons Tielman (viticulturist, from 1980) and Louis (winemaker, from 1983) still own and steer the estate. Official contact pages also list Bertus Basson among the winemaking team for current releases, with tasting-room hospitality led on-site.

Terroir and the nature reserve

Mooiplaas covers about 243 hectares: roughly 100 ha under vine and 70 ha dedicated since 1995 to the Mooiplaas Private Nature Reserve for endangered fynbos. Elevation spans roughly 135–370 m (about 235 m of relief). From the highest point, views stretch to False Bay and Table Bay. Cape granite mother rock weathers into the farm’s soils; slope and aspect drive cultivar and rootstock choices. Tielman chairs the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy; the reserve sits within the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve and the wider Cape Floral Kingdom story UNESCO celebrates for extraordinary plant diversity.

Louis describes a classic, low-interference cellar philosophy: best grapes, wild yeast / natural fermentation, light filtration, and maturation in small oak—wines meant to be authentic, elegant, balanced and joyful. Environmentally minded viticulture and biodiversity thinking are part of how the brothers talk about quality—not as a separate “green” side project, but as the same craft that fills the bottle.

Wines to know

Ranges referenced across the estate shop and tasting menu include the accessible Collection line, broader Mooiplaas / Mercia selections, and the classical Roos Family Cabernet Sauvignon (long-ageing, lead-pencil and clove notes in tasting notes; recent Double Golds at Gilbert & Gaillard and Michelangelo cited on the shop). Cultivar breadth on wine-route listings includes Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinotage and Shiraz/Syrah, plus special bottlings (MCC, Tabakland, Rosalind, Laatlam Noble Late Harvest and others) that may sit outside standard tasting flights. If Cabernet is your brief, ask staff how to taste or buy Roos Family bottles even when they are excluded from a given flight package.

Taste, picnic, hike, stay

The tasting room occupies the estate’s oldest building (1806)—a former horse stable converted to a rustic farm-style pour space unique to Mooiplaas. Writers often note the throwback atmosphere: intimate indoors, with outdoor space helpful on sunny days for slightly larger groups.

Published tasting fees on the official activities page:

  • Standard tasting: R50 pp — 5 wines from the Collection range
  • Estate tasting: R85 pp — any 5 wines from Mooiplaas and Mercia ranges (exclusions: Duel MCC, Tabakland, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosalind, Laatlam Noble Late Harvest)

Gourmet picnics in the garden overlooking vines are a signature afternoon. The 5.6 km nature-reserve hiking trail delivers 360° views of Table Mountain, the Peninsula, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Table Bay and False Bay; in September–November flowering season, guided hikes with Tielman (fynbos + wine) can be booked. Self-catering stays in the manor (Spaarkamer, Voorkamer, Vrijkamer and related units in guides) blend antique Cape Dutch character with modern comfort—often highly rated on booking platforms.

Hours & contact (official)

  • Mon–Fri: estate 10:00–16:30 · tasting 10:00–16:00
  • Sat: estate 10:00–17:00 · tasting 10:00–16:00
  • Closed Sundays (confirm public-holiday exceptions)
  • Address: Bottelary Road, Stellenbosch, 7600
  • GPS: S 33.55.16 E 018.44.21
  • Tel: +27 (21) 200-7493
  • Email: info@mooiplaas.co.za · international: tjroos@mooiplaas.co.za
  • Website: mooiplaas.co.za (official; replace any Wikipedia stub URLs)

Bottelary itinerary fit

Mooiplaas is ideal for travellers who want heritage cellar atmosphere plus fynbos walking—not only another polished tasting bar. It sits naturally on a Bottelary Road loop with neighbouring hills estates; allow half a day if you combine Estate tasting, picnic and a stretch of the reserve trail. Families and hikers gain more than pure cellar collectors; Cabernet seekers should ask specifically for Roos Family bottlings that may sit outside the standard flight exclusions list. Spring flower season is the premium moment for guided nature interpretation.

Visit tips

  • Prefer Estate tasting if you want broader range access
  • Book guided fynbos hikes in spring (Sep–Nov)
  • Bring walking shoes for the 5.6 km reserve trail
  • Order picnics when booking—popular on fine-weather days
  • Closed Sundays—plan weekday or Saturday visits
  • Ask about Roos Family Cabernet and current awards
  • Overnight in the manor for a full Bottelary base
  • Small indoor tasting room—consider outdoor seating for larger parties

FAQ

Who runs Mooiplaas?

Brothers Tielman Roos (viticulture) and Louis Roos (winemaking), following father Nicolaas’s 1963 purchase; Bertus Basson is listed on the official contact page in the winemaking team.

Is there hiking on the estate?

Yes—a 5.6 km trail on the 70 ha Private Nature Reserve with sweeping Cape views; guided options in flowering season.

What are tasting prices?

Officially R50 (Standard / Collection) and R85 (Estate / Mooiplaas & Mercia with listed exclusions)—confirm on arrival as fees can change.

Things to do at Mooiplaas Wine Estate

  • Wine tasting & pairings

    Standard Wine Tasting

    Tasting room in historic 1806 building (former horse stable), rustic farm-style. Standard tasting: 5 wines from the Collection range.

    Price R50 pp

    Booking: +27 (21) 200-7493

  • Wine tasting & pairings

    Estate Wine Tasting

  • Picnics

    Gourmet Picnics

    Any 5 wines from the Mooiplaas range and Mercia range (excluded: Duel MCC, Tabakland, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosalind and Laatlam Noble Late Harvest).

    Price R85 pp

    Booking: +27 (21) 200-7493

  • Walks, trails & outdoors

    Private Nature Reserve Hiking Trail

Browse all experience types

Wines made here

Wine list from wine.co.za. The taste words are drawn from those notes, which are not reprinted here. Ask the cellar door what is pouring on the day.

Visiting with kids

Gourmet garden picnic baskets with vineyard views and a 5.6 km private nature-reserve hiking trail.

Possible with kids. About 33 min from Cape Town. Suited to tweens, teens.

PicnicLawns

  • nature reserve hike

Mooiplaas Wine Estate is a limited family visit for calmer kids: gourmet garden picnic baskets with vineyard views and a 5.6 km private nature-reserve hiking trail. The rustic tasting room sits in an 1806 former stable. Ages noted as tweens and teens. Outdoor lawns support the picnic. No dedicated play equipment or kids menu is verified, so do not expect jungle gyms or children’s meals. Best for families who enjoy a picnic and a proper hike rather than a play park. Confirm picnic basket availability and trail conditions before you go, and bring water and sun protection for the reserve walk.

Is there a play area?

No dedicated play equipment is verified.

Can we picnic?

Yes — gourmet garden picnic baskets with vineyard views.

Is there a kids menu?

No kids menu is verified; the hike and picnic suit calmer, older children.

Nearby with children

  • Wonderdal Edutainment Centre — Kids museum, Stellenbosch / Bottelary · 1 km Website
  • Polkadraai Farm (strawberry picking) — Berry picking, Stellenbosch · 7 km Website
  • Vredenheim Dierewerf & Roofdierpark — Animals, Vlottenburg · 9 km Website
  • Acrobranch Stellenbosch — Adventure park, Muldersvlei · 10 km Website

Family notes checked 5 October 2026. Confirm on the farm’s website before you drive. Source. More family farms in Stellenbosch. Things to do near this farm. Stay on this farm.

Visiting with a dog

Third-party Trail Fun runs on the Mooiplaas estate and nature reserve are listed as "Dog friendly" (Autumn 3, 9 May 2026).

Farm walk

Walks: Trail Fun Mooiplaas run-walk routes (events only)

  • Event-specific: organised Trail Fun runs only; general visitor and hiking policy unknown

Checked 6 October 2026. Source. More dog-friendly farms in Stellenbosch.

Staying here

Three self-catering units in the 1833 Cape Dutch Manor House with kitchens, Wi-Fi and private braais beside tasting room and 5.6 km fynbos hiking trail.

Place to stay. About 33 min from Cape Town. Mooiplaas Manor House 1833|Spaarkamer|Voorkamer|Vrijkamer.

Manor, Self-catering, Cottage. 3 units.

Kitchen

Bottelary Hills Cape Dutch manor; Private Nature Reserve

Mooiplaas Wine Estate is a verified wine-farm accommodation listing in the Stellenbosch (audit region: Stellenbosch). Stay types noted: manor, self_catering, cottage.

Named properties: Mooiplaas Manor House 1833; Spaarkamer; Voorkamer; Vrijkamer.

Three self-catering units in the 1833 Cape Dutch Manor House with kitchens, Wi-Fi and private braais beside tasting room and 5.6 km fynbos hiking trail.

Setting / views noted: Bottelary Hills Cape Dutch manor; Private Nature Reserve.

Amenities flagged in the audit: self-catering.

Official rack rates were not published as a dated rate_from in our audit — confirm pricing on the estate’s booking page.

We only publish facts from official sources gathered in the stay audit (Last checked 5 October 2026). Re-confirm units, min stays, child policy and load-shedding backup on the estate’s own booking page before you pay a deposit.

Travellers comparing Stellenbosch wine-farm stays should match stay type (hotel vs cottage), dated rate basis, and child or pet rules before shortlisting Mooiplaas Wine Estate.

Does Mooiplaas Wine Estate offer wine farm accommodation?

Yes — our audit marks has_accommodation as

yes

, with named stay products listed above.

What are the property names?

Mooiplaas Manor House 1833; Spaarkamer; Voorkamer; Vrijkamer.

Do you publish a current rate for Mooiplaas Wine Estate?

No dated `rate_from`/`rate_year` pair is available to quote as current. Check the official booking page.

Which amenities are flagged?

Audit flags include: self-catering. Policies change — confirm in writing for your dates.

Where should I book?

Prefer the estate’s official booking URL from our source list. See also how to book wine farm accommodation on this site.

Stay notes checked 5 October 2026. Confirm the rate and what is open before you book. Book. Source. More stays in Stellenbosch. With kids.

Questions before you go

Where is Mooiplaas Wine Estate?

Mooiplaas Wine Estate is in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. Most visitors drive there from Cape Town in 45–60 minutes.

When is Mooiplaas Wine Estate open?

Closed Sunday. Hours change, so check the farm website before you drive.

How much is a wine tasting at Mooiplaas Wine Estate?

From R50. Prices change, so confirm when you book.

Wine of Origin

Geographical unit: Western Cape → Coastal Region → Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is the flagship Wine of Origin district of the Cape: granite mountains, university town, and the densest cluster of visitor-ready wine farms in the country.

Terroir snapshot

Elevation and soil figures are modelled at the pin, not a vineyard block survey. Use them to compare farms, not to quote a technical sheet.

Latitude
-33.90266
Longitude
18.73413
Elevation
124 m (Open-Meteo)
Soil pH
6.3 (SoilGrids 0–5 cm)
Clay
12% (SoilGrids)
Organic C
48.6 g/kg (SoilGrids)

Sources

  • Wikidata Q17074432
  • Wikipedia: Mooiplaas Wine Estate
  • Wine list: wine.co.za
  • Family notes: farm website, checked 5 October 2026
  • Stay notes: farm website, checked 5 October 2026
  • Dog notes: farm website, checked 6 October 2026
  • Elevation: Open-Meteo
  • Soil: ISRIC SoilGrids

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