Our family visited Lourensford Estate’s annual Hanepoot Harvest for the first time, enjoying a morning of grape picking, tractor rides and spectacular vineyard views in Somerset West.
I finally took the family to Lourensford Estate’s annual Hanepoot Harvest, and it turned out to be one of those rare mornings where the experience genuinely lived up to the excitement surrounding it.
It was our first visit to the estate and our first time picking grapes, so we weren’t entirely sure what to expect.
The first thing that caught my attention wasn’t just the size of the estate, but the incredible scenery that surrounds it. Long, perfectly aligned rows of vines stretched into the distance beneath towering trees, while the rugged Helderberg mountains created an unforgettable backdrop. It’s one of those places that instantly reminds you why Somerset West is such a special place to live.
A tractor ride into the vineyards
One of the biggest highlights of the day—particularly for my son, although plenty of adults seemed just as excited—was the complimentary tractor ride.
It’s a simple addition, but it immediately sets the tone for the experience. After only a short wait, the tractor arrived to transport everyone from the parking area to the vineyards, making the journey feel like part of the adventure rather than simply a way of getting from A to B.
It gave the morning an authentic farm atmosphere that’s difficult to recreate elsewhere.
Although the event information had suggested bringing our own scissors and containers, we were pleasantly surprised to find that Lourensford supplied both on the day. That meant all we really needed was sunscreen, comfortable shoes and plenty of room for tasting grapes along the way.
Sweet grapes and plenty of laughter
The vineyards were filled with a wonderful mix of local families, couples and long-time Helderberg residents, all wandering between the vines in search of the perfect bunches.
My son initially had very little interest in picking grapes. Running between the vine rows was far more exciting. That changed almost instantly after he tasted his very first Hanepoot grape. Once he realised how incredibly sweet they were, his carefully carried little bucket was quickly forgotten. Instead of collecting grapes, he began enthusiastically transferring them straight from the vine into his mouth.
We eventually had to step in and help fill his bucket ourselves so that we actually had something to bring home.
The funniest moment came when we reached the weighing station. He looked genuinely concerned that the staff were about to take his precious bucket of grapes away forever. Trying to explain that we were simply paying for them proved surprisingly difficult for a very determined five-year-old.
Relaxing under the marquee
After filling our boxes, we climbed back aboard the tractor and headed to the main marquee. The setup is perfect for relaxing after a morning spent in the vineyards, with plenty of shaded seating where families can unwind while their grapes are weighed.
We eventually headed home with just over 10 kilograms of beautifully sweet, seeded Hanepoot grapes, which felt like a very successful morning’s work. Around us, people were enjoying boerewors rolls, coffee and Lourensford wines, while others simply lingered a little longer to enjoy the atmosphere.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about harvesting fruit yourself. Yes, it’s easier to buy grapes from the supermarket, but spending the morning picking them straight from the vine gives you a whole new appreciation for where your food comes from.
Watching my son experience that for the first time made the outing even more memorable. Needless to say, our fruit bowl was overflowing with Hanepoot grapes for days afterwards, and nobody in the house was complaining. It’s a Somerset West experience we’ll happily return for again.
UPDATE
Although we unfortunately missed the 2025 Hanepoot Harvest, we returned to Lourensford Estate in 2026 for another morning in the vineyards. If you’d like to see how this year’s harvest compared to our first visit, you can read about our latest family experience here.
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