Profile
Laborie Wine Estate Paarl is one of the Cape Winelands’ most historically significant, visually spectacular, and comprehensively vibrant wine estate destinations — a living heritage site on Taillefer Street, off Main Road, Paarl, Western Cape, whose origins trace back to 1691 when Isaac Taillefert of the French La Bri district received his land grant, planted vines beside the Berg River, and produced wines that Frenchman François Lequat declared “the best in the colony and similar to the small wine of Champagne”. Today, more than 330 years later, Laborie Wine Estate Paarl continues to produce wines of distinction while offering the full spectrum of Winelands experiences — wedding and conference venues for up to 200 guests, luxury accommodation in 8 guest rooms and a historic Manor House room, the celebrated Stoep Restaurant, the beloved Suzanne bistro and cocktail bar, a Farm Grocer, vineyard picnics, a kiddies jungle gym among the vines, hiking and cycling trails up Paarl Mountain, and annual festivals and longtable dinners.
The Taal Monument crowns the view behind the historic manor house, Paarl Rock rises behind, and the Drakenstein Mountains frame every outdoor moment — while an extraordinary piece of local history reminds visitors that the granite from the quarry on Laborie’s land formed the very foundation of South Africa’s Parliament building.
A History of 330+ Years
Laborie Wine Estate Paarl’s story begins with the Huguenot Tailleferts:
- 1691: Isaac Taillefert of the French La Bri district receives the farm grant
- The Taillefert family from the Champagne region clears bush, plants vines, and establishes the viticultural traditions that continue today
- François Lequat writes that the estate’s wine is “the best in the colony and similar to our small wine of Champagne”
- 1972: KWV acquires the estate and develops it into the Winelands landmark it is today
- Today: A thriving estate village in the heart of Paarl — described as “entwined in Paarl life, absorbing local flavours in a dreamy setting among the vines”
- The estate’s quarry granite formed the foundation of South Africa’s Parliament building
Wedding Venues — Champagne Cellar to Manor House Lawns
Laborie Wine Estate Paarl offers a selection of distinctive venues for weddings of every scale and style:
The Champagne Cellar (Up to 120 Guests)
The estate’s centrepiece wedding venue — beautifully renovated, combining modern elegance with a touch of historic charm:
- Large windows framing expansive views of Laborie’s vineyards and Paarl Rock
- Contemporary décor with sophisticated ambiance
- Ideal for intimate weddings and larger celebrations alike
The Private Dining Room (20–30 Guests)
- Intimate space for rehearsal dinners, pre-wedding breakfasts, and exclusive celebrations
- Perfect for everything from business lunches to baby showers
The Vineyard Garden
- Lush outdoor ceremony and function space between the vines
The Werf Lawn
- Scenic outdoor space with Drakenstein Mountain views
The Historic Manor House
- Centrepiece backdrop for ceremonies and photos
Charming Estate Gardens
- Multiple garden spaces for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and photography
Picture a vineyard longtable set between the rows of vines, or a laidback picnic celebration on the manor house lawns, an outdoor ceremony on the Vineyard lawn, a bubbly and brunch daytime event, or a chic formal seated dinner in the Champagne Cellar.
Conference and Corporate Venue — Up to 200 Guests
Laborie Wine Estate Paarl is a distinctive corporate retreat and conference venue — a setting where business moves differently, refined and relaxed:
- From intimate strategy sessions to larger conferences of up to 200 guests
- Historic Manor House, Champagne Cellar, and scenic outdoor venues all available
- Fully equipped for seamless execution
- Wine tastings, longtable dinners, and team experiences available to complement conferences
Accommodation — 8 Rooms, Manor House and Cape French Style
Laborie Wine Estate Paarl’s boutique guesthouse offers a complete Winelands immersion:
- 8 luxury guest rooms + 1 special room in the historic Manor House
- All rooms furnished in Cape French style — décor inspired by the estate’s award-winning wines
- Views: Manor House gardens, vineyards, and the majestic Drakenstein Mountains
- Werf Deluxe Suite: Hypo-allergenic bedding, free minibar items, in-room safe, desk
- Free WiFi, air-conditioning, private bathrooms, streaming services
- Free English breakfast included
- Outdoor pool with stunning views
- Bike hire, outdoor fireplace, library, picnic area
- Children not allowed | No pets
Dining — Stoep, Suzanne and The Farm Grocer
Stoep Restaurant
- The estate’s signature all-day restaurant with sweeping vineyard views
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner — South African cuisine, local and international
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options
- Phone: +27 21 807 3232
Suzanne (Bistro and Bar)
- Named after Suzanne Taillefert — Laborie’s first lady of the house
- All-day brunch from coffee to cocktails
- Bottomless Sunday mimosas 11:00–14:00
- Banana bread French toast, roosterkoek eggs Florentine, smoked salmon salad, shakshuka, croissants, pizzas
- Paarl Brewery craft beers, classic cocktails, Cap Classique, fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Pergola outdoor tables with chic indoor décor
Farm Grocer
- Carefully curated fresh, locally sourced produce and artisanal delights
- Fresh-squeezed orange juice for Suzanne
- Online delivery shop for wine, cakes, fresh produce
- Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00 | Sun 08:00–17:00
Vineyard Picnics
Laborie Wine Estate Paarl’s vineyard picnics offer a seasonal picnic crate doubling as a table — fresh from the Farm Grocer:
- R395 per person | R180 for kids’ basket
- Mini baguette, local charcuterie and cheeses, smoked snoek smoor with roosterkoek, chicken satay, sweet treats
- Choose your spot: on the lawn or between the vines
- Sunset picnics with mountain glow and estate wine
- Booking 24 hours in advance required
- Wednesday–Sunday 12:00–17:00
Events, Markets and Activities
- Laborie Lazy Days Market — every Saturday 09:00–14:00
- Annual festivals, longtable dinners, and live music
- Wine tastings and cellar tours
- Kiddies jungle gym among the vines — children are welcome
- Hiking and cycling trails from the estate up to Paarl Mountain
- Near Boschenmeer Golf Course (1.7 miles) and Paarl Mountain Local Nature Reserve (4.3 miles)
Contact and Location Details
- Address: Taillefer Street, off Main Road, Paarl, Western Cape
- Phone: +27 21 807 3095 (general) | +27 21 807 3232 (restaurant)
- Email: ev****@**************co.za
- Website: laborieestate.co.za
- Cape Town Airport: 28 miles
For wedding packages, conference bookings, accommodation reservations, and event enquiries, visit the official Laborie Wine Estate website or call +27 21 807 3095.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum capacity for weddings at Laborie Wine Estate Paarl?
A: The Champagne Cellar can accommodate up to 120 guests for weddings. The Private Dining Room is ideal for smaller celebrations of 20–30 guests. Additional outdoor venues including the Vineyard Garden, Werf Lawn, and Manor House grounds are also available for various wedding styles and sizes.
Q: Does Laborie Wine Estate offer accommodation for wedding guests?
A: Yes, Laborie offers 8 luxury guest rooms plus 1 special room in the historic Manor House. All rooms are furnished in Cape French style with views of the Manor House gardens, vineyards, and Drakenstein Mountains, and include free English breakfast.
Q: What dining options are available at Laborie Wine Estate?
A: Laborie features three dining venues: Stoep Restaurant offering all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Suzanne bistro and bar with all-day brunch and bottomless Sunday mimosas; and the Farm Grocer with fresh, locally sourced produce. Vineyard picnics are also available Wednesday–Sunday at R395 per person.
Q: Can Laborie Wine Estate host corporate conferences and events?
A: Yes, Laborie can host conferences for up to 200 guests. Venues include the Historic Manor House, Champagne Cellar, and scenic outdoor spaces, all fully equipped for seamless execution with optional wine tastings, longtable dinners, and team experiences.
Q: What is the history behind Laborie Wine Estate?
A: Laborie’s origins trace back to 1691 when Isaac Taillefert received his land grant from the French La Bri district. The Taillefert family from the Champagne region planted vines and established viticultural traditions that continue over 330 years later. KWV acquired the estate in 1972, developing it into the landmark it is today.
Q: Are children allowed at Laborie Wine Estate?
A: Children are welcome at the estate’s restaurants, picnic areas, and events, with a kiddies jungle gym among the vines. However, children are not allowed in the guesthouse accommodation.
Q: What activities are available at Laborie Wine Estate?
A: Activities include wine tastings and cellar tours, vineyard picnics, the Laborie Lazy Days Market every Saturday 09:00–14:00, hiking and cycling trails up Paarl Mountain, annual festivals, longtable dinners, and live music events.
Q: When is the Farm Grocer open?
A: The Farm Grocer is open Monday to Saturday from 08:00–18:00 and Sunday from 08:00–17:00. It offers fresh, locally sourced produce and artisanal delights, plus an online delivery shop for wine, cakes, and fresh produce.
Also explore other popular wine estate venues and wedding venues in the Paarl event venues directory and Western Cape event venue listings.
