Just a short drive outside of Cape Town, art in the Winelands can be found just about everywhere. Pair the next wine adventure with a visit to a variety of prominent art galleries and gardens located in the area.

It’s the perfect accompaniment to the world-class beverages, restaurants and accommodations synonymous with the rolling vineyards of Cape Town’s wine country. We’ve put together a list of great art destinations worth a stop in the Cape Winelands.

Top Destinations: Where to see art in the Winelands

Everard Read Galleries

Everard Read is the oldest and largest group of art galleries in South Africa. It has two locations within the Winelands area: one is found on the main Huguenot road in the charming town of Franschhoek, and the other is located with a gallery and sculpture park at Leeu Estates. 

The gallery group is known for its contemporary art speciality, particularly showcasing art by South Africans, or those from the African continent. Guests can expect a variety of exciting solo and group exhibitions featuring top of the range creatives. 

At Leeu Estates, walk alongside monumental sculptures in mesmerising gardens in addition to checking out the gallery space. This includes a studio and cottage for the artist residency programme: actively cultivating the next generation of contemporary artists. There are also an impressive number of highly-rated dining options in the surrounding area, including internationally acclaimed La Petite Colombe. 

If exploring the Winelands, both Everard Read galleries offer an impressive combination of today’s hot art, beautiful views, and fine dining nearby.

Cost: Free admissions

Where: Everard Read, 20 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek
When: Mon to Sun, 9.30am to 5pm

Where: Everard Read at Leeu Estates, Leeu Estates, Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek
When: Tues to Sun, 10am to 5pm

EBONY/CURATED

EBONY/CURATED also has two locations in the Winelands area: the first was established in 2007, and the second made its appearance ten years later. A third gallery space can also be found in Cape Town.

The galleries have a solid reputation for showcasing the lesser-known rising talents of South Africa and the African continent. Each gallery highlights contemporary and modern artworks, celebrating the creative voices that can be found in the region.

Dewald Prinsloo, Leonard de Villiers and Marc Stanes initiated the three galleries. Their flair for eclectic accessories and soft furnishings can be seen in an ever-changing collection of lamps, cushions and elegant objects.

The EBONY/CURATED team also designs furniture combining honed woods with stainless steel, fabrics and animal hides. It showcases compatible pieces by other like-minded leading furniture designers from across the country too.

Cost: Free

Where: 4 Bordeaux Street, Franschhoek & 4 Franschhoek Square, Huguenot Street, Franschhoek
When: Mon to Sat, 9.30am to 6pm | Sun, 9.30am to 5pm

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Exploring the notion of ‘the wilderness within’, iconic South African sculptor Dylan Lewis’ Sculpture Garden is a magnificent marriage of the natural world and emotional art. Lewis is a household name as a South African artist: he is internationally-exhibiting, and known for his powerful sculptural renderings of big cats.

Located near the quaint Winelands town of Stellenbosch, this sculpture garden showcases a variety of birds, African animals, and human figures, amongst other subject matters. The garden is influenced by Japanese gardening aesthetics, and simultaneously holds a focus on indigenous species and fynbos.

Visits are organised by appointment, and guests have the option to walk self-guided through the garden with a complimentary detailed map, or can arrange a private guided tour.

Cost: Standard garden entry fee R240 per person | Students and SA Pensioners R150 with presentation of SA ID | Children under 18 enter free | Visit the site here for pricing of private guided tours

Where: Dylan Lewis Studio and Sculpture Garden, Mulberry Farm, Paradyskloof Road, Stellenbosch
When: Tues to Sat, 8.30am to 5pm | Last entry at 3.30pm

SMAC Stellenbosch

SMAC Stellenbosch is located in the central, pedestrian-friendly section of downtown Stellenbosch. SMAC is a well-renowned name in the South African art community.

As an internationally recognised contemporary art gallery, SMAC has multiple spaces worth a visit: beyond the Winelands, it also has a space in the centre of Cape Town. SMAC is a long-standing presence within South Africa’s art conversations.

The gallery manages a dynamic programme of exhibitions, as well as curatorial projects, which focus upon contemporary artistic discourses. Additionally, it supports and advances a series of collaborative projects with local and international institutions and artists. 

Perhaps less known, SMAC also maintains an active publishing initiative: ensuring the literary footprints of vital artistic conversations are nurtured to continue. Exhibitions are sometimes accompanied by catalogues, monographs and books. The gallery also regularly presents large-scale historical exhibitions and ventures that offer a critical re-evaluation of South African art history within a global dialogue.

Cost: Free admission

Where: SMAC Gallery Stellenbosch, De Wet Centre, Church St, Stellenbosch
When: Mon to Fri, 10am to 5pm | Sat, 10am to 3pm | Sun, Closed | Public Holidays, 10am to 3pm | Also open by appointment

The Gallery at Grande Provence

Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate holds an impressive art gallery and outdoor sculpture garden featuring a diverse range of works by South African fine artists. Its relationship with celebrating sculpture is particularly well-respected.

Pay a visit to its garden and remarkable annex set amongst the estate’s sprawling vineyards a short drive outside of Franschhoek. These artworks are all for sale, and are a particularly good way to take home a momento from an adventure in the Winelands.

Expect a variety of mediums amongst exhibited artworks, set within this 330 year old wine estate. Combine an afternoon of art with some wine tasting next door, or a visit to Grande Provence’s restaurant or Bistro.

Cost: Free gallery admission

Where: The Gallery at Grande Provence, Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Main Road, Franschhoek
When: Mon to Sun, 10am to 5pm

Rupert Museum

The Rupert Museum boasts an impressive number of collections for visitors to see. It houses a selection of South African art dating from the 1940’s to the early 2000’s.

Collections on view include the Huberte Goote, Rembrandt van Rijn Art Foundation, Rupert Art Foundation and San Rock Art Collection.

Guests can enjoy coffee and a bite to eat at the Museum Café, with both indoor seating and outdoor options in the museum’s stunning gardens. Sip a beverage while admiring the original Tretchikoff Fireplace wall: the rock fireplace feature created by iconic artist Vladimir Tretchikoff, located in the cosy vicinity of the Café.

Check out Museum Saturdays at Rupert Museum: a monthly, family-friendly day celebrating art with workshops, musical performances, pop up Café menus, and kiddies activities. To see upcoming events, check its website here.

Cost: Free entrance

Where: Rupert Museum, Stellentia Road, Stellenbosch
When: Museum reopens after maintenance closure in Feb 2025 | Opening hours Tues to Fri, 10am to 5pm | Sat & Sun, 10am to 4pm

Art at Spier Wine Farm

Spier holds one of the biggest collections of contemporary South African art in South Africa. Over 1000 artworks can be admired throughout its various buildings on the large property.

Spier’s many cultural projects are generally undertaken by the Spier Arts Trust, which was created to promote interest in the inherent value of art made by South African creatives. Works owned by the trust are displayed and rotated across the farm, to get more exposure for its many visitors. There are also a variety of mosaic installations outdoors, created by students of Spier’s Artisan Apprenticeship Programme which ran until 2020.

Care to take a scenic stroll? There are over thirty large-scale sculptures dotted throughout the gardens, and keep an eye out for its annual Light Art Show which usually occurs in the month of March. At the Light Art Show, expect an impressive, free night-time show with avante-garde light, sound and video artworks from local and international artists.

Cost: Free admission

Where: Spier Wine Farm, R310 Stellenbosch
When: Farm open daily, 9am to 5pm

Marvol Gallery at Hazendal Estate

This gallery offers ample space for emerging artists and established creatives within Hazendal’s vines. It is also known for its particular interest in engaging Eastern European culture in addition to South African contemporary art aesthetics.

Enjoy a mixture of private collection works, contemporary works and sculptures. Every Thursday, The Marvol Gallery hosts art walks, which offer a deep dive into the history of the area as well as its art.

There are also short-term group and solo exhibitions on constant rotation, offering the perfect opportunity to showcase all that South Africa has to offer in terms of its notable art-makers.

Cost: Gallery entrance is free | Art walks, R60 per person

Where: The Marvol Gallery, Hazendal Wine Estate, Bottelary Road, Stellenbosch
When: Mon to Sun, 10am to 5pm

See more art destinations in Cape Town and its surrounding areas here