1 day Winelands Explore of Stellenbosch Franschhoek Paarl Regions
Oenophiles and nature lovers alike are in for a treat on this private exploration of the Cape Winelands. Not only do you visit three esteemed wine farms for fine wine tastings and phenomenal pairings with cheese and chocolate in the Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek regions; the extraordinary scenery along the way will transport you back to yesteryear to reminisce among white gabled buildings and impressive manor houses flanked by soaring mountain ranges.
Firstly you'll visit the cheese haven of Fairview for a master tasting of their wine with local produce. Continue to Franschhoek for a unique way to explore the region's Winelands by rail with a short Wine Tram journey and taste fine wines at a local winery. Visit the self-proclaimed culinary capital of South Africa, Franschhoek for a lunch stop and end your meander along the Winelands with sweet port-style wine and chocolate pairing at the heritage-rich Muratie wine farm before heading back to Cape Town in late afternoon.
Description
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Fairview Wine and Cheese, Suid Agter Paarl Road, Suider Paarl, Paarl 7624 South Africa
Leave Cape Town behind and head off by luxury minivan to the Stellenbosch wine region – famous for its Mediterranean climate and fertile soils that help to produce millions of litres of wine each year.
With your expert guide, hop back in your minivan and continue your journey northwest to the Paarl wine region, home to leading wine producers like Fairview. Stop at the Fairview Wine Estate, trying out several of their famed white wines and cheeses.
As this is a private tour, your itinerary for the day is flexible and you can chop and change as you please. So, take it slow and be sure to meander along the way, staying a little longer if you please or even popping in at quaint looking stops along the way. Our suggestion is an early start at the cheese haven of Fairview for a master tasting of wine with cheese and olive oil that will open both your mind and palate to tastes that you didn't think were possible.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Franschhoek Wine Tram - Official Site (Franschhoek Terminal), Corner of Main Road and, Cabriere St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
Continue on to the quaint town of Franschhoek for a unique way to experience the region's Winelands. Departing from the central Drakenstein ticket office, hop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram for a ±20 minute one-way journey through the rolling vineyards of the valley to reach Rickety Bridge winery for a standard wine tasting and sample a choice of 4 of their wines.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Rickety Bridge Winery, R45 Main Street, Franschhoek 7690 South Africa
From the station platform, you'll be transported past rows of vines and the historic Rickety Bridge Cape Dutch Manor to the tasting centre by an open-air wagon pulled by the farm's tractor, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of a working winery. Summer weather calls for alfresco wine tasting overlooking vineyards and the majestic Wemmershoek Mountains, while on cooler days tastings will be around cosy wood-burning fireplaces.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Franschhoek, Franschhoek, Western Cape
Lunch takes place in the gourmet capital of South Africa – Franschhoek – roughly 5 miles (8 km) away. Your private guide will point out the best sidewalk cafes and restaurants, and then leave you to enjoy lunch at your own expense.
South Africa’s epicurean capital; Franschhoek, with its multitude of eateries is a must-do for gourmands and on weekends the local farmer’s market beckons with colourful stalls, tasty aromas and live music. You’ll have time to soak up the history of the French Huguenots who arrived in the Seventeenth Century, maybe catch an impromptu church choir performance in the street, shop for knick-knacks and bric-a-brac along the main street or savour a charcuterie plate and tasty local creations.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Muratie, 44 Knorhoek Road/R Koelenhof, Stellenbosch 7600 South Africa
Your last stop of the day is a small Stellenbosch wine estate called Muratie, much loved by locals, with bags of charm. Its traditional cellars are typified by ramshackle walls and worn paintings -- adding to its rustic charm. Sample the estate’s fortified (port-style) wine and locally produced chocolate – a winning combination!
If you are not a fan of sweet wines the Muratie's classic white or red tasting is available as an alternative too.
Relax on the journey back to Cape Town, where you’ll arrive in the early evening.
- The exact itinerary is subject to change and may, on occasion, run in a different order.
- This private tour will run exclusively run for you. The itinerary is flexible and can be tailored to spend more time at the tour’s highlights that interest you the most or swop for alternative options.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Africa Select Journeys, 13a Gardner Williams Ave Paardevlei, Cape Town Central 7710 South Africa
This is a private tour running exclusively for you or your group. Do contact us during of after the booking process to let us know if you would prefer any changes to the tour and we can suggest an updated itinerary and cost estimate if there are any additional charges.
Inclusions
- Local English-speaking guide + Transport
- Flexible private tour. Inform us after booking of your special requests.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Fairview Farmer's Cheese & Wine Tasting
- Franschhoek Wine tram ride to Rickety Bridge
- Muratie Wine & Chocolate Pairing
- Rickety Bridge Wine Tasting
- Entry/Admission - Fairview Wine and Cheese
- Entry/Admission - Muratie
- Entry/Admission - Franschhoek Wine Tram - Official Site (Franschhoek Terminal)
- Entry/Admission - Rickety Bridge Winery
Exclusions
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Personal travel insurance
Additional information
- Customers who have not reached South Africa’s legal drinking age of 18 will not be served alcohol.
- Please note: Wine tasting or pairings are not included for children under the legal drinking age of 18 years. Extra meals or drinks are under the adult’s responsibility and is not included in price.
- This private tour will run exclusively run for you. The itinerary is flexible and can be tailored to spend more time at the tour’s highlights that interest you the most or swop for alternative options. Do contact us during of after the booking process to let us know if you would prefer any changes of the tour and we can suggest an updated itinerary, and cost estimate if there are any additional changes.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
- The exact itinerary is subject to change and may, on occasion, run in a different order.
- Personal and comprehensive travel insurance is recommended and not included in this tour.
- Most travelers can participate
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Personal comprehensive travel insurance is excluded and recommended to protect you against unexpected trip cancellation, lost or damage of personal items and other travel related claims.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Operates
See Availability
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
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