A Guide To Wine Tasting Tours In South Africa

A Guide To Wine Tasting Tours In South Africa

South Africa’s wine region, close to the city of Cape Town, is the country’s major wine-producing area and offers the ideal base from which to embark on a wine-tasting tour. Home to some of the world's most popular wines, the wine estates, commonly elegant Cape Dutch-style buildings and vast vineyards backed by picturesque mountains in stunning settings, are open to the public for tours and wine-tastings, with many also boasting award-winning eateries. A European influence can also be felt due to the arrival of French, Dutch and German settlers during the 18th century.

Let Africa Travel help you create your perfect Cape wine-tasting tour and enjoy the very best food and wines that the region has to offer.

There are 2,000 varieties of wine to sample and 13 wine routes to explore, ranging from the Route 62 wine route, reputed to be the world's longest, to the Stellenbosch wine route, the oldest. The beautiful French Huguenot village of Franschhoek is full of wine estates, bistros and restaurants, earning it the accolade as the ‘gourmet capital of South Africa', historic Paarl and charming Robertson also play host to a number of wonderful wineries whilst nearby Wellington is famed for its brandies. The flag bearer for wine-tasting tours in South Africa though is the historic university town of Stellenbosch, one of the country’s oldest towns which is literally surrounded on all sides by wonderful wine estates.

Although the area can be reached from Cape Town in just an hour and makes for a nice days sightseeing, those in the know book into one of the region’s many spectacular hotels, often located on working wine farms, to spend a few nights relaxing and enjoying the food and wine on offer. Wine-tasting in South Africa normally includes a visit to the cellars or to view the vineyards, followed by a tasting with cheese, nibbles or sometimes even chocolates. Depending upon the location, wine-tasting tours are available on foot, by horseback, on the back of a Harley Davidson, or even by bicycle.

Many of the region’s wine estates are rightfully lauded for their extraordinary wines, but some of them also play host to a selection of wonderful restaurants. There is Chorus on the Waterkloof Wine Estate and Geuwels at the Vergenoegd Low Estate, both under the careful control of the imaginative Bertus Basson, Liam Tomlin’s Chef Warehouse at Beau Constantia, (he also has an offering on the Maison Estate), as well as newcomer Arkeste which is hidden away on the Chamonix Wine Farm. Gourmet picnics are also de rigueur on the wine estates in this part of the world.

Luxurious accommodation for your South Africa wine-tasting tour

Wherever you’re planning to eat or drink on your wine-tasting tour, we will make sure you spend the duration of your holiday residing in comfortable, luxurious accommodation that is tailored to your requirements. Our dedicated staff listen to each of your needs and preferences before recommending the best accommodation for you, which is always based on their own personal experiences.

The wine region is home to some extraordinary hotels which are located on wine estates and offer superior dining, including the Steenberg Hotel in Constantia, Paarl’s Grande Roche Hotel and the Lanzerac Hotel & Spa in Stellenbosch. Any wine tasting tour of South Africa should also include a stay in or around Franschhoek, where the Leeu Estates, Boschendal & Babylonstoren Wine Estates all produce their own wines and offer excellent guest accommodation.

Which wine estates to visit on our wine-tasting tour?

The Cape Wine Region is blessed with a multitude of wonderful wine estates, but these are just a small selection of some of our favourite vineyards that should be on any wine lover's bucket list.

Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch

Offering incredible mountain views and expansive vineyards, the Delaire Graff Estate provides the ultimate backdrop to Delaire Graff's amazing restaurant and winery. They offer a variety of wines including Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, not to forget their award-winning Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend.

La Motte, Franschhoek

Situated in the picturesque settings of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley is La Motte. This winery is home to a host of nationally acclaimed wines and a fine dining restaurant which celebrates traditional cuisine with a modern twist.

Grand Provence, Franschhoek

This 300-year-old heritage wine estate is situated in the heart of the Franschhoek wine valleys. Whilst visiting you can expect expansive views of the vineyards and mountains with a rich offering of a variety of different wines to taste.

Haute Cabriere, Franschhoek

Dating as far back as 1964, the Haute Cabriere wine estate is steeped in history. Enjoy a beautiful wine tasting experience whilst overlooking the Franschhoek Valley or explore the delicious food offerings in the stone cellar restaurant.

Tokara, Stellenbosch

Lying in the Simonberg mountain of Stellenbosch you will find Tokara's vineyards. Taste their famous Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in their magnificent tasting room that boasts views over False Bay to Table Mountain.  

Why book your wine-tasting tour of South Africa with Africa Travel?

Africa Travel will make sure that you get the very most out of your wine-tasting trip. We have been providing our clients with wine-tasting holidays to South Africa for over 30 years, using our extensive experience to always ensure that they enjoy a trip that meets their exact preferences. All of our staff have extensively travelled the country, indeed some actually live there, meaning that we can give personalised recommendations for your trip, including the best wine estates to visit, the best places to stay, and the best wine-tasting tours to take. Making wine part of your South African adventure will create memories that will last a lifetime.

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