Hidden Valley Wines is one of Stellenbosch’s best-kept secrets. I say secret because many people fail to understand just how much of an experience this wine farm truly is.
It offers visitors everything from memorable wine pairings to quality restaurant- and picnic-meals, as well as beautiful Bush Lodge accommodation.
In this post, I share my experience of the estate’s food and wine options and nature trail, while also touching on its offer estate offerings.
Visiting Stellenbosch’s Best-kept Secret: Hidden Valley Wines
Hidden Valley is aptly named. It lies tucked away at the top of a long, narrow drive, pressed into the hills. Here, you discover a secluded valley. A natural paradise, even, disturbed only be birdsong, visiting cars and restaurant chatter.
When you pull into the parking lot near the tasting room, you are immediately greeted by a beautiful dam setting, surrounded by lush trees and stunning views as far as you can see. A slow walk up to the tasting room affords you even better views.
The setting is second to none. Arguably, it is one of the most incredible wine farm settings I have encountered to date.
If you had thrown away my car keys and left me stranded here, I would have shrugged and thought, “This is fine.”
Championing Nature through Eco-friendly Practices
Like its untouched beauty – a mix of olive groves, manicured vineyards and natural flora – shows, Hidden Valley is big on conservation. They are a WWF Conservation Champion and give back as much as they can to their natural surroundings.
This is evidenced not only in the nature walk they invite guests to enjoy but in the carefully designed wooden Bush Lodge and farming practices that do their bit to promote a more eco-friendly environment.
The estate is also big on recycling. (Something you see first-hand at self-service eatery, The Deck at Hidden Valley.) They even have their own worm farm, home to helpful earthworms who give back in a big way.
Beyond that, the farm strives to remove invasive alien invader tree and plant species.
The aforementioned dam, is also eco-friendly and is replenished with recycled water from their bio plant. (It is also home to Tilapia, Grass Carp and Trout, who act as natural water quality assurance monitors.)
This love of nature and respect for the earth is something you are immediately conscious of from the moment you arrive.
Apart from the birds and occasional voices, Hidden Valley is a natural haven, where estate operations and nature exist together in harmony.
Ownership over the Years
After falling in love with this land as a university student, Dave Hidden founded Hidden Valley, planting its first vineyards in 2002.
Over time, he turned Hidden Valley into what it is today. Eventually though, in 2015, he made the difficult decision to sell, passing the baton to Riaan Stassen.
Art in the Gardens
Stassen, in turn, ushered Hidden Valley into a new era. He even added his own spin to this already well-established farm by bringing in the estate’s iconic art.
This includes the life-sized face of Hidden Valley, which is the artistry of well-known sculptor, Willie Botha. Nowadays, this iconic face sculpture features everywhere from the wine labels to the garden artworks.
However, in recent times, Patrice Motsepe took over ownership of the estate.
So far, Mr Motsepe has retained the same staff and way of life on the estate – and things continue to run like clockwork.
Wine and Olives
Another striking feature at Hidden Valley Wines is the gravity-fed tasting cellar. Made from a combination of glass, stone and wood, this imposing structure perfectly blends in with its environment. Around it, vineyards, fynbos gardens, olive groves and almond orchards thrive.
The Wines of Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley Wines produces a great selection of hand-crafted wines and MCC. The estate’s head winemaker is Annalie van Dyk, who brings with her a wealth of winemaking knowledge and experience.
While their focus is predominantly on red, they have some exquisite whites too. (I should know – I am a white wine lover!) In fact, I rated their Sauvignon Blanc 2021 a firm 10/10 and their Sauvignon Blanc Viognier 2020 an easy 8/10.
Their focus of “quality over quantity” both with their wines – but also with their olive products – really shines through.
The tasting room offers a lovely wine tasting experience. Not only does it have wonderful deck seating but it also enjoys the most incredible vineyard-, hill- and mountain-views.
More than that though, the tasting room staff are a class act. They are all incredibly friendly and helpful.
Small Batch, Premium Olive Products
In addition to the estate’s 20-hectares’ worth of vineyards, Hidden Valley also produces two olive varietals on three hectares of land.
Of the olives, 70% are used to make the estate’s delicious, fresh olive oil. The remaining 30% make up its tasty table olives.
The estate’s olive products are small batch so they are not marketed commercially. Their Calamata and green Noccelera de Belice olives can be purchased through the estate’s online shop and presumably at the tasting room too.
Guests can also sample them when enjoying a wine tasting. During my visit, I was fortunate enough to try both their olives and extra virgin olive oil and I thoroughly enjoyed both.
These I savoured with some wine and fresh bread. It was excellent so strongly recommended!
Wine Pairing Options
Hidden Valley also offers visitors a wonderful range of wine pairing options. However, please be advised that advance bookings are essential, especially over weekends.
In addition to the previously mentioned olive, olive oil and bread option, they also have an incredible artisanal Belgian chocolate and five-wine pairing experience.
Along with the olive and olive oil pairing, the lovely, warmly welcoming Sonja du Plessis hosted me for this excellent chocolate pairing.
For more on this chocolate and wine pairing experience, please read my write-up here.
Lastly, the tasting room also has a decadent charcuterie and cheese platter that looks divine. It serves two and offers the very best in local cheese, charcuterie, breads and more.
Cellar Tours and Vineyard Sunset Wine Tasting Experience
If you would like to explore the cellar, you are in luck because Hidden Valley offers cellar tours.
Tours are available upon request. However, no tours are permitted during Harvest Season.
Another highlight at the estate is the magical vineyard sunset wine tasting experience. This is available from September to April (unavailable during Harvest Season). It requires a minimum of ten guests and booking is essential.
For more information on this special experience, please contact winetasting@hiddenvalleywines.co.za.
Hidden Valley Wines Tasting Centre Operating Hours and Contact Details
The Hidden Valley Wines Tasting Centre is open daily in summer (September – August) from 9:00 am – 18:00 pm, with the last tasting at 17:00 pm.
During winter (May – August), the centre is open daily from 09:00 am – 17:00 pm, with the last slot at 16:00 pm.
Advance booking is essential for all tastings, pairings and experiences.
To book or for more information, please contact: +27 (021) 880 2646 or email winetasting@hiddenvalleywines.co.za.
The Deck at Hidden Valley
Keep It Casual at The Deck
If you are looking for a relaxed, affordable offering, then look no further than The Deck at Hidden Valley Wines.
This water-edging eatery works on a self-service basis (although you can place your orders and collect your food and drinks at the kiosk). They do not accept reservations, as this eatery is weather-dependent.
The Deck at Hidden Valley specialises in tasty pizzas and burgers.
During my visit to Hidden Valley, I grabbed a prime seat and enjoyed a mouthwatering chicken burger, fries and cooldrink.
It was one of my best burger meals to date – and more than generous enough!
To read my full review of The Deck at Hidden Valley, please see here.
The Deck at Hidden Valley is open from 11:00 am Wednesday – Sunday, unless there are adverse weather conditions.
Picnics and Proposals at Hidden Valley Wines
Not only does Hidden Valley cater to a range of intimate functions in their functions venue – but the estate is also popular for its Hidden Valley picnics.
Picnics can be enjoyed in the garden (there are several secluded seating areas), overlooking the dam or on the shaded lawns.
As a bonus, Hidden Valley is also a picture-perfect wine farm proposal spot! So why not order a picnic and pop the question in blissful nature?
Picnics are available Wednesday to Sunday and must be booked no less than 24 hours beforehand. They can only be booked directly through the tasting centre.
To book or for more information, please contact: +27 (021) 880 2646 or email winetasting@hiddenvalleywines.co.za.
Classy Bush Lodge Accommodation at Hidden Valley Wines
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Hidden Valley Wines also offers guests an idyllic Bush Lodge in the Stellenbosch Winelands. This three-bedroom, en-suite self-catering lodge is hidden on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain.
It is set in a tranquil environment, allowing guests to escape into nature. The wooden lodges have been designed to seem as if they are floating above the olive trees. Again echoing the farm’s eco-friendly approach.
The main lodge, which features an open-plan living-, dining- and kitchen-area, as well as the main en-suite bedroom, is separated from the two-bedroom cottage by a landscaped deck and beautiful pool area.
For more information on Hidden Valley’s Bush Lodge, please contact +27 (021) 880 2646 or email bushlodge@hiddenvalleywines.com.
Alternatively, you can book a stay here.
A Fun Nature Hike for All to Enjoy
Another wonderful attraction at Hidden Valley Wines is their scenic nature walk. This short nature trail is easy and probably suitable for all ages to enjoy.
It takes about 20 – 25 minutes to complete in full and takes you on a lovely loop around the dam and gardens.
This tranquil trail offers stunning views of the vineyards, fynbos gardens and surrounding mountains. It has several perfectly positioned benches to enjoy soaking your setting up from.
While the full trail starts a bit lower down, below the main car park – I started from behind The Deck at Hidden Valley eatery.
The trail is free to enjoy during estate opening hours but regrettably, no pets are allowed on the estate. The trail is also not suited to prams so you will need to carry your babes.
For more on the trail, please see my review of it here.
Annual Wine Walk
Usually at the start of summer, Hidden Valley Wines also hosts a popular annual wine walk. This three-kilometre-walk includes fun tastings along the way, as you experience the estate’s vineyards, wilderness and 3000 olive trees first-hand.
Please keep an eye on the estate’s social pages and website for the next annual wine walk.
How It Rated Overall
Based on the few experiences I was able to enjoy at Hidden Valley Wines and the stunning setting, friendly service and great food and wine offerings – I have to say this is one of the more special estates I have visited.
It is definitely in the top ten in Stellenbosch for me.
Contact Information
For more information on Hidden Valley Wines, please contact: +27 (021) 880 2646 or email them at winetasting@hiddenvalleywines.co.za.
You can also visit their website or find them for yourself at Hidden Valley Wines, Annadale Road, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa.
Hidden Valley Wines is also on all leading social media platforms, so be sure to connect with and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Disclaimer and Special Thanks
A special thank you to Sonja and the Hidden Valley tasting room team. They made my wine pairing and visit so memorable.
Please note: I was hosted for the wine pairings and an excellent coffee by Sonja du Plessis and the tasting room team. But I paid for my meal and drink at The Deck at Hidden Valley.
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