Why Tokara Wine Estate Stands Out
A lot of wine farms in Stellenbosch claim to have great views. Tokara actually does. Perched at the top of Helshoogte Pass, the estate looks out over False Bay all the way to Table Mountain. The architecture is striking, the art collection is serious and the wines sit comfortably at the top end of what South Africa produces. It is the kind of place where everything has been done with intention.
GT Ferreira purchased the farm in 1994 with plans to build a family home among the old trees. Then he realised he was sitting on some of the best wine growing soil in the region and the winery idea took over. By 1999 the first vines were in the ground and the estate has been building its reputation ever since.
Tokara Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon is the cornerstone red variety here. The Director's Reserve has been called a world beater by reviewers and it delivers on that promise. It is refined, elegant and balanced in a way that expensive Stellenbosch Cabernets do not always manage. The Telos is the pinnacle wine and is destined to define Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon.
| Wine | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Director's Reserve Cab Sauv | Red | World class, refined |
| Telos | Red | The pinnacle Cabernet |
| Reserve Sauvignon Blanc | White | Precise and focused |
| Reserve Chardonnay | White | Restrained, confident |
| XO Potstill Brandy | Spirit | Smooth and complex |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | N/A | Cold pressed, Tuscan varieties |
The whites are equally impressive. The Sauvignon Blanc is precise and the Chardonnay has the kind of restraint that suggests real confidence in the winemaking. Beyond wine, Tokara produces an XO Potstill Brandy and a Cap Classique sparkling wine.
Tokara Restaurant, Olive Oil and Deli
The olive oil programme started over two decades ago when Anne-Marie Ferreira planted Tuscan olive varieties across the estate. Today they produce cold pressed extra virgin olive oils in a boutique style mill next to the deli. You can book an olive oil tasting alongside the wines and it is highly recommended.
Tokara Restaurant is a fine dining space included in the World's 50 Best Discovery list. Head chef Carolize Coetzee won the JHP Gourmet Guide's Haute Performance Award in her first year. The Delicatessen is the more casual option with bistro fare, pizzas and great coffee. It is child friendly and perfect for a longer, more relaxed visit.