The Juice Journal by Juice Film

Here at Juice, we have a soft spot (okay, a full-blown weakness) for a glass of fine bubbly. So we’ve rounded up some of our favourite estates to visit and sip on the nectar of the Goddesses. It’s by no means the full list, just a handful of local bubble from different corners of the Cape. Our advice? Explore everywhere between Mountain View and Ocean View.

Silverthorn – Robertson

Photo: Tripadvisor

Out in the Breede River Valley, John and Karen Loubser have been working this little family farm since 1999, and these days it’s all bubbles, all the time. The secret’s in the ground: the soils are limestone-rich shale left behind by an ancient seabed, and fossilised fish fins still turn up around the farm. The Loubsers host every tasting themselves, so come for the wine, stay for the stories. Can’t bear to leave? Book DogStar, their tucked-away self-catering cottage with a plunge pool looking out over the river.

• Our pick: River Dragon NV, made entirely from old-vine colombard and named after the legendary dragon said to watch over the Riviersonderend Mountains.
• Hours: Mon–Fri 12pm–3pm, Sat 10am–2pm (bookings essential)
• Contact: 072 063 3609 | karen@silverthornwines.co.za
• Find it: R317, Robertson
• Website: silverthornwines.co.za

Genevieve – Bot River

Photo: Genevieve

Melissa Genevieve Nelsen used to fly planes. In 2008 she made her first vintage, and in 2017 she gave her bubbles a home at Klein Botrivier Farm. Expect a cosy farmhouse tasting room, with peacocks, ducks and chickens wandering about outside. Pair your flight with a cheese and charcuterie board, then settle in with a bottle and the Bot River views. There are two farm cottages if one bottle turns into two.

• Our pick: Blanc de Blancs RD 2013, 100% Bot River chardonnay that spent a whole decade on its lees before being disgorged in 2023. Old-school French technique, seriously layered, still beautifully fresh.
• Hours: Wed–Sat 10am–4pm
• Contact: 083 302 6562 | melissa@genevievemcc.co.za
• Find it: Klein Botrivier Farm, Karwyderskraal Road, Bot River
• Website: genevievemcc.co.za

Le Lude – Franschhoek

Photo: The Saunter

Deep in the Franschhoek valley, Le Lude built an entire cellar purely for bubbles, and yes, you can tour it. The tasting room is pure French glamour: soft green panelling, velvet banquettes and touches of gold. Add a light lunch to your tasting, or wander over to the Orangerie Restaurant, a sunny glasshouse of black-and-white tiles, cane chairs and plenty of greenery.

• Our pick: Venus Agrafé Brut Rosé Nature Millésimé 2014. Le Lude was the first in SA to use the agrafé method, where the second fermentation happens under a natural cork instead of a crown cap.
• Hours: Daily 10am–5pm (last tasting 4.30pm)
• Contact: 021 876 2961 | info@lelude.co.za
• Find it: Bowling Green Avenue, off Lambrechts Road, Franschhoek
• Website: lelude.co.za

Haute Cabrière – Franschhoek

Photo: GetYourGuide

Bubbles at their most precious. The arched entrance tunnels right into the mountain, and walking in feels a little like stepping into Middle-earth. The farm goes back to 1694, when it was granted to Huguenot Pierre Jourdan (hence the name of the range), and its underground cellar is one of the most spectacular in the Cape. Taste four Pierre Jourdan bubblies, go for the macaron pairing, or have a go at sabrage. Then head back up into the sunshine for lunch with sweeping valley views.

• Our pick: Belle Rose Brut NV, 100% pinot noir. It got its name when winemaker Takuan von Arnim’s grandmother took her first sip and declared it a “belle rose.”
• Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm
• Contact: 021 876 8500 | WhatsApp 064 928 1044 | reservations@cabriere.co.za
• Find it: Lambrechts Road (R45), Franschhoek
• Website: cabriere.co.za

Charles Fox – Elgin

Photo: Elgin Valley Tourism

Talk about following your heart. In 2005 Charles and Zelda Fox swapped Joburg for a tired old Elgin fruit farm with one goal: making cap classique. They planted chardonnay, pinot noir and meunier in 2007, and today an underground cellar holds up to 200 000 bottles quietly maturing. Tastings happen upstairs in a light, open space overlooking the valley.

• Our pick: Cipher Blanc de Noir 2018, the estate’s flagship. Made from red grapes (pinot noir and meunier) and given more than five years on lees.
• Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–5pm; Sat, Sun & public holidays 10am–4pm
• Contact: 082 569 2965 / 082 471 3444 | charlesfoxmcc@gmail.com
• Find it: 89 Valley Road, Elgin
• Website: charlesfox.co.za

Steenberg – Constantia

Photo: Inside Guide

A very girl-power history. Steenberg was founded in 1682 by Catharina Ras, the Cape’s first recorded female landowner. Today it’s a modern take on bubbles in SA’s oldest wine region, complete with a hotel, spa, restaurants and a golf course. The indoor-outdoor tasting lounge looks out over vines, gardens and reflection pools, and a huge glass-grape chandelier hangs over the bar. Book the Bubbly Glass Exploration to find out how much the shape of your glass changes what you taste.

• Our pick: Lady R 2020, the vintage bubbly named after Catharina herself. It’s a chardonnay-led blend (63%) with pinot noir (37%).
• Hours: Daily 10am–6pm (last tasting 5pm)
• Contact: 021 713 2211 | winetasting@steenbergfarm.com
• Find it: Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
• Website: steenbergfarm.com

Laborie – Paarl

Photo: Hotels.com

Snuggled up against Paarl Mountain, Laborie is one of the Cape’s oldest farms. It was granted to Huguenot Isaac Taillefert in 1691, and legend has it that in 1698 a visiting Frenchman compared its wines to Champagne. Judge for yourself with a four-bubble tasting under the oaks, or do it in style inside the historic Manor House. Platters are on offer too.

• Our pick: Blanc de Blanc 2018, all chardonnay with 60 months on lees, giving it that rich, toasty, brioche-y character.
• Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–3pm, Sat 11am–6pm, Sun 11am–4pm
• Contact: 021 807 3095
• Find it: Taillefer Street, Paarl
• Website: laborieestate.co.za

The Alexander Estate – Noordhoek

Photo: Booking.com

Our Peninsula gem. The vines sit below Chapman’s Peak and roll down toward the Atlantic. Tastings are small and full of stories, held either in the Limelight Lounge or out on the Cellarmaster’s Deck. The cap classique tasting comes with Saldanha Bay oysters or charcuterie. Want to stay over? The five-star boutique hotel has vineyard suites, pools and decks, all with mountain and sea views.

• Our pick: Brut Rosé NV. When you see blue, drink pink! Mostly pinot noir, pressed gently for that pale salmon blush, with 16 months on lees.
• Hours: Tastings by appointment only
• Contact: 021 300 9269 | reservations@thealexanderestate.com
• Find it: Silvermine Road, Noordhoek
• Website: thealexanderestate.com

Juicy top tips

• Do yourself a favour and order the cheese board, or check out the menu, because most of these estates have brilliant restaurants.
• Opening hours and bookings can change, so give the estate a quick call or check their website before you head out.
• Oh… and be sure to have a driver! 🥂

Cover photo: Cape Town Day Tours