Set against a spectacular backdrop of mountains, the Cape Winelands are renowned for their excellent wine production and rolling hills covered in vineyards. Many award winning wines are produced in the area at some of the oldest wine estates in South Africa. Cellar tours, wine tasting, and fine dining are available at most estates.

Have a look at our list of the top 10 places to visit in the Winelands this winter.

Cassia (Nitida Wine Farm)

The modern and trendy restaurant is named after the bold and intriguing spice cassia, also known as Asian cinnamon. Cassia offers magnificent venue facilities, ranging from Sage (for small private functions and dinners) to Saffron, the perfect venue for weddings, special events and conferences.

Mise En Place (Asara Wine Estate and Hotel)

This lovely restaurant opened in October 2016 and has fast become one of the go to restaurant in the beautiful Stellenbosch area, boasting sophisticated dining and elegant service.

Dornier Bodega Restaurant (Dornier Wines)

Housed in the pastoral allure of a historic barn, the Dornier Bodega pursues the perfect marriage between modern food preparation and classic elegance that has come to be expected from Dornier Wines. Guests are invited to elevate their senses in a relaxed environment, and indulge in a Dornier dominated wine list that accentuates the locally-sourced fresh ingredients of the Dornier Bodega's seasonal menu.

Eight Restaurant (Spier Wine Farm)

The number 8 signifies balance, cycles, harmony, infinity and abundance. It also represents Spier's closed-loop approach, and its integration of natural cycles into business cycles.

Eight is as much about the food itself - the raw ingredients as it is about the ways these are combined to create an exciting menu. Spier's award-winning wines certainly do compliment the tantalising menu perfectly.

The Country Kitchen (Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards)

The Country Kitchen is Mont Rochelle's informal restaurant located just a short walk or a quick drive from the main hotel building and is adjacent to their incredible wine cellar.

Monneaux Restaurant (Franschhoek Country House and Villas)

The Monneaux Restaurant ranks among the top restaurants in Franschhoek, and serves an inspired contemporary take on the classics. Even by the food and wine capital of the country's high standards, Monneaux is a must visit.

The underground cellar is available for private functions where dinner can be enjoyed by an impressive selection of local and foreign wines.

The wine list emphasizes the boutique wines of the Franschhoek Valley as well as an impressive selection of other award winning wines of South Africa.

Paulina's at Rickety Bridge

Lunch might be over when the distant orange-pink mountains change hue, but that doesn't mean you have to leave.

Take a seat with magnificent mountain and vineyard views and drink in the splendour of the picturesque Franschhoek valley. Sip a crisp glassful of fine estate wine and enjoy a delicious lunch. Everything on the menu is given extra zest by the striking beauty of the setting. The restaurant can be booked for special occasions and is ideal for any celebration with family and friends. Rickety Bridge is an enchanting Franschhoek wine estate that earns its place in the Cape's cuisine capital.

La Petite Ferme

The restaurant at La Petite Ferme offers a culinary experience like no other. Sourcing the best and freshest local ingredients that Franschhoek has to offer, the restaurant prides itself on serving high quality, heart-warming dishes aimed at satisfying every guest that walks through its doors.

Perfectly complementing the menu extraordinaire is the renowned La Petite Ferme wine cellar, which boasts award-winning wines, cultivated in the heart of one of the world's most beautiful wine regions.

Restaurant at Glen Carlou

The Glen Carlou Restaurant offers a tempting selection of cuisine, with both ethnic and international flavours, that can be enjoyed under the high wooden beams of the tasting arena or outside on the terrace, offering a panoramic view of vineyard and mountain.

Their 125-hectare farm is situated on the northern foothills of Simonsberg Mountain. Here conditions favour the cultivation of both white and red varieties and at present some 75 hectares are planted to vines.

Situated just outside of Paarl, Eat at Simonsvlei provides the perfect setting complete with mountain views, rolling lawns shaded by big oak trees and an enclosed safe play park for the kids.

Seating is available on the veranda or in the air-conditioned restaurant. They have a fireplace for the winter months. The menu is fresh country food with a cape flair offering light meals, wood fired pizzas as well as a variety of seasonal hearty main dishes all made more enjoyable with cellar priced wines.

Wine tasting and wine tasting platters available on the premises.