What Makes Ayama Wine Estate Special
Most people drive straight through Voor-Paardeberg on their way to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. That is a mistake. Ayama sits on the western slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain, surrounded by 70 hectares of vineyards, 10 hectares of olive groves and fields of artichokes. The name "Ayama" is a Xhosa word meaning "someone to lean on" and reflects the spirit of friendship behind the estate.
The farm dates back to 1685 when it was established by French Huguenot Martin Poisson. It later became part of the Sailor Malan family before being taken over by the current Italian owners. They brought Friulian winemaking tradition to Swartland soil and the results speak for themselves. The Vermentino was the first of its kind planted in South Africa and it remains a standout wine on the list.
Wines You Should Try at Ayama Wine Estate
The wine range covers Italian influenced whites, textured reds and easy drinking blends. The Vermentino is the obvious starting point. It has a straw yellow colour with green reflexes and recalls white flowers on the nose with notes of hazelnut and yeast. On the palate it is silky and fresh with a remarkable structure that surprises most first time visitors.
The Pinotage has been scoring well with critics, pulling a 92 from Gilbert and Gaillard for the 2023 vintage. It shows blackberry and jam on the nose with prunes on the palate and pencil shavings on the finish. The Shiraz is also worth your time, offering spice and perfume on a full bodied frame.
If you prefer whites, the Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are clean and well made without being boring. The olive oil is cold pressed on site and absolutely worth tasting alongside the wines.
| Wine | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vermentino | White | South Africa's first, floral and silky |
| Pinotage | Red | 92 points, blackberry and leather |
| Shiraz | Red | Spice and perfume, full bodied |
| Cinsaut | Red | Light, juicy, great with pizza |
| Chenin Blanc | White | Clean and refreshing |
| Olive Oil | N/A | Cold pressed, estate grown |
The Tasting Experience
Ayama Wine Estate is not a corporate tasting room. It feels like visiting a family home where they happen to make excellent wine. You can do a curated wine tasting paired with Italian style food from the farm. There are pasta making classes where you learn to make ravioli and other traditional shapes. On weekends the wood fired pizza oven comes out and you can sit on the lawn with a glass of Cinsaut and a proper Neapolitan style pizza.
There are also seasonal harvest experiences where you can pick olives, tomatoes, artichokes or asparagus depending on the time of year. It is hands on and fun, especially if you are travelling with family.
Accommodation at Ayama
The farm has five guest rooms that each sleep two people, plus one room for four and a separate cottage also sleeping four. It is a peaceful spot to base yourself for a few days of exploring the Swartland and Paarl wine routes without the crowds of the bigger towns.