Explore the Cape Winelands
Just a short drive from Cape Town city centre lies a series of picturesque valleys known as the Cape Winelands. The Cape Winelands are home to a collection of historic towns, quaint hamlets and Cape Dutch farmsteads that provide South African wines to the world. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl form a large portion of the Cape Winelands, with grape cultivation dating back to the 1600s.
Some of the other lesser explored but equally interesting wine regions in the Cape also offering excellent wines include the Durbanville, Wellington, Hemel en Aarde, Botriver, Standford, Swartland, Darling, Tulbagh, Elgin and Breedekloof Winelands.
A day in the Winelands offers the perfect family-friendly day out, travel is 40 minutes to 1.5 hours from Cape Town (depending on which area you visit). A popular option is enjoying a full or half day tour or even overnight stays (at least two nights is recommended). Travellers enjoying a full day tour can experience up to 3 wine estates and 3 to 5 wines per tasting.
Top 10 Wine Pairings in the Cape Winelands
- Chocolate and Wine – Spier, Lanzerac and Waterford in Stellenbosch
- Cheese and Wine – Fairview in Paarl and Anthonij Rupert Wines, Franschhoek
- Pizza and Wine - Brenaissance and Bellevue, Stellenbosch
- Artisan Pie and Wine – KWV in Paarl
- Biltong and Wine – Stellenbosch Hills and Marianne in Stellenbosch
- Charcuterie and Wine – Môreson, Franschhoek
- Boerebraai Tapas and Wine – Middelvlei, Stellenbosch
- Artisanal Salt and Wine - Fleur du Cap, Stellenbosch
- Fynbos Cupcakes and Wine – Delheim, Stellenbosch
- Donuts and Wines – Wellington Wines, Bovlei
Top 10 Bubbly Pairings in the Cape Winelands
- Nougat and MCC – Villiera, Franschhoek and JC Le Roux, Stellenbosch
- Ice-cream, Wine and MCC - Clos Malverne, Stellenbosch
- Oysters Three-way and MCC - Grande Provencez, Franschhoek
- Marshmallows and Wine - Perdeberg Wines, Paarl
- Cheesecake and MCC/Bubbly – Laborie and JC Le Roux, Stellenbosch
- Macaroon and MCC – Canto, Durbanville
- Pizza and Bubbly – JC Le Roux, Stellenbosch
- Canape and MCC – Le lude, Franschhoek
If you are looking to explore more of these areas you can try other alcoholic tastings including gin, whiskey, brandy and craft beers. There are also ranges of non-alcoholic tastings including fruit juice or non-alcoholic wines and tea, chocolate, cheese, ice-cream, olive oil and vinegar tastings in the winelands. Whether you chose the alcoholic or non-alcoholic options, these favour combinations offer something to excite every pallet!
For those wanting to join a wine tour without needing to have a designated driver there are many tour operators offering full and half day tour, both on a scheduled and private basis. The Franschhoek Wine Tram also offers a fun day out especially for couples. Other options to explore more of this area include the Stellenbosch Vine Hopper, Tuk Tuk Franschhoek and the City Sightseeing Bus which is perfect for all ages.
Top 10 Things to do in the Cape Winelands other than wine tasting
- Have a gourmet picnic on a wine estate or dine at one of the country’s top-rated restaurants
- Attend a festival or a music concert
- Go Chocolate tasting at a small Belgian chocolate factory in Franschhoek
- Visit art galleries, museums, monuments, craft markets, boutique shops and bookstores
- Have a bite to eat at a food market – Route 44 and Slow Food Market in Stellenbosch are great
- Get your animal fix - Duck Parade, Eagle Encounters, Cheetah Outreach, Butterfly World, Giraffe House, Crocodile and Snake Park, Alpaca Loom
- Go horse riding or quad biking through the vineyards, or do a Segway vineyard tour
- Join a cycling or mountain biking tour, or pack your own bike or rent a bicycle and explore on your own
- Go hiking or walking in the many nature reserves in the area
- Enjoy aerial views from a hot air balloon or while paragliding or sky diving
If you would like sample packages showing more information on these and many more fantastic offers awaiting you in the Cape Winelands, please contact us.
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