Wine tasting at Alto: Sips and beautiful sunsets

Alto Wine Estate is situated in the Stellenbosch region of the Cape Winelands, just a 50 minute drive from the center of Cape Town. If you love red wine, Alto is perfect for you with its impressive selection. Plus, the location has beautiful views of the Stellenbosch hills, making it a great spot to enjoy stunning sunsets. In this blog post, I’ll take your through our experience with wine tasting at Alto.

Crafting Excellence Through Terroir and Expertise

Alto Estate’s short history is marked by success under skilled winemakers. Renowned for its exceptional red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate benefits from its special terroir—high slopes, granite soils, and a cool climate, creating perfect conditions for top-notch grapes.

Throughout the years, Alto’s wines have earned numerous awards and global acclaim, praised for their elegance, depth, and aging potential. The estate continues its commitment to producing wines that capture the unique qualities of the region and highlight superb winemaking expertise.

Wine Tasting at Alto Wine Estate

You can enjoy a wine tasting either inside or outside on the patio at Alto. Both spots are beautiful, so it’s lovely no matter where you decide to sit!

The interior tasting room at Alto Wine Estate

Wine-food pairings

Given the tough decision of choosing between pairings, I went with the idea of trying both the biltong and cheese options at Alto. Biltong, a South African favorite, is cured and dried meat, somewhat like American beef jerky (though it’s essential not to upset biltong enthusiasts with this comparison!).

As soon as I tasted the cheese and took a sip of wine at Alto Estate, I knew it was special. The bold Cabernet Sauvignon went perfectly with the Boerenkaas cheese. It’s no surprise then that the Cab Sauv is the most awarded wine at Alto and a top favorite in the region.

We liked the Shiraz and Rouge range, but the Estate Blend really caught our attention. Added to Alto’s collection in 2015, this newer addition proved to be the star of the show. Although each vintage has a slightly different mix, the main grapes in the blend are Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The result is a blend that highlights the best qualities of both varieties.

We finished our tasting with a beautiful sunset. Seeing the sun set over the mountains and casting a warm glow on the patio was really stunning. Alto isn’t just about good wine – it’s also about beautiful views and enjoying the special flavors of Stellenbosch.

Beyond Wine Tasting – More Experiences at Alto Estate

Apart from trying out different wines, Alto Estate has even more to offer. They organize special events like wine festivals and themed tastings, creating a lively and fun atmosphere for visitors. On Fridays, Alto hosts Sunset evenings, where you can enjoy live music, top-notch wines, and tasty food. If you’re in the mood for a good meal, the onsite restaurant serves hearty dishes made from fresh, local ingredients, perfectly paired with Alto’s famous award-winning wines.