South Africa is a land admired for its diverse landscapes and vibrant wildlife, but it’s also a special place for wine lovers. Those partial to a glass of red or white won’t be disappointed with the veritable feast of wine tasting experiences on offer in Cape Town and beyond.
One of the world’s most prominent wine producers, South Africa is a fantastic place to hone those tasting skills, explore new flavours and notes, and enjoy spectacular scenic views to boot.
For those keen to take some time out from the safari parks, pristine beaches and stunning landscapes of the continent’s southernmost country, the best wine tours in South Africa will have you feeling merry.
Just a short drive from the energetic streets of the beautiful city of Cape Town, lie the famous Cape Winelands of South Africa. Covering hundreds of acres and flanked by mountain ridges, this is a stunning part of the country which is characterised by endless lines of vivid green vines that sparkle in the sunshine.
Stellenbosch, the focal point of the South African wine industry, is the first port of call for most visitors. This is a cultural hub with a large student population and its enviable location makes for picturesque panoramic views.
The town is also famed for its eclectic blend of Victorian, Georgian and Cape Dutch architecture. Just a stone’s throw from the heart of the action, visitors will find a host of wineries, most of which are willing to offer tours and tasting experiences in addition to delicious meals and snacks.
There are over 150 wineries along the Stellenbosch route, so it can be difficult to narrow down the options, but one of the most popular spots to take in the views and sample the local nectar is the Waterford Estate.
Located in the Blaauwklippen Valley, the estate covers 120 hectares, around half of which are covered in verdant vines. This winery provides a relaxing setting for tasting sessions and cellar tours.
The most high-profile wines to sample include the Waterford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and the Elgin Pinot Noir. Other wineries to consider while touring the beautiful scenery of Stellenbosch include the Dornier Wine Estate and Thelema Mountain Vineyards.
Wine tasting is widely available and it’s not difficult to find brilliant wine tours in Stellenbosch. Organised tours enable visitors to sample as many wines as they wish without worrying about driving and guests can also benefit from spending time with experienced guides who know the local area.
Group tours are also a chance to meet new friends and share travel tales over a crisp glass of white or a sharing platter of snacks. Linger longer in the places you love with our Western Cape Wanderer Self Drive.
Cape Town wine tours often visit the charming village of Franschhoek, an area of outstanding natural beauty, which is famed for its high-quality wines. Many tours visit Bloubergstrand Beach along the way and it’s worth stopping to enjoy some of the best views of Table Mountain on offer.
Once in Franschhoek, there’s an abundance of wineries to choose from. One popular choice is the Anura Wine Estate. Nestled in the foothills of the domineering Simonsberg Mountains, Anura boasts a diverse range of soils, which thrive in the microclimatic conditions, offering guests the chance to enjoy a variety of wines.
This is a winery that specialises in red wine and there’s an impressive selection of high-profile names on offer, including Malbec, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Petit Verdot and Mourvedre. This winery also produces bespoke wines for guests who are looking for something unique to try or take back home for friends and family to enjoy.
The Anura Wine Estate offers tours and tasting, and there’s also a deli on-site in addition to a restaurant serving tasty, fresh dishes. Cheese lovers will be spoilt for choice here, with the opportunity to try wines and all kinds of different cheeses simultaneously.
For those keen to experience a range of different wines and explore the area in more detail, it is also possible to take a ride on the Franschhoek wine tram. This hop-on, hop-off tour travels through the heart of the local winelands, stopping at major wineries for guests to treat their taste buds.
With this option, it’s possible to get on and off as and when you want, which makes it ideal for those keen to enjoy a broader selection of wineries.
Winelands tours are the perfect choice for wine aficionados who want to cover a larger surface area and enjoy a little more freedom and flexibility. These tours travel to the major hotspots in the winelands, rather than being limited to one city, town or village.
Most tours of the winelands in South Africa take in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, and visitors have the chance to travel from one area to the next, enjoying a change of scenery and taking advantage of the opportunity to experience different wines and see a range of estates and wineries.
Stellenbosch has a huge array of wineries and the town centre is also worth discovering, as it boasts beautiful, quirky architecture which has come about courtesy of a fascinating combination of historical influences.
This is the very heart of the winelands and visitors can marvel at incredible 360-degree views of vineyards before touring the cellars, learning all about the processes involved in turning grapes into wine, and of course, most importantly, tasting the finished article.
Franschhoek is smaller than Stellenbosch but it packs a punch in the wine producing stakes and there’s no shortage of wineries on offer. The most popular wines on offer here include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Semillon and Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The final stop on a winelands tour is Paarl. One of the Cape’s original farming hubs, this pretty town lies at the base of a series of distinctive granite domes. The Paarl wine route boasts a collection of wineries and those looking for a unique experience can do their bit for the planet and cut their carbon footprint by hitching a ride to the Fairview Estate on the famous goat wagon.
The Fairview Estate offers wine and cheese tasting. There is also a deli that stocks a wondrous range of cold meats, cheeses, olives and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Choose our popular Cape Winelands Day Tour or stay longer with the Cape Winelands Explorer.
South Africa is a location that offers visitors everything. From incredible gastronomic tours to exotic wildlife adventures, it’s possible to indulge a range of interests and amass memories to last a lifetime. Combining activities is a great way of seeing more of this awe-inspiring country in a shorter space of time, as well as opening up new experiences to enjoy in South Africa.
One day, you can enjoy sipping on wine and sampling organic produce surrounded by vines, meadows and mountains, and the next you can be out at sea watching whale tails flipping in and out of the waves. If you are keen to combine the two, our Cape Town, Wine & Whales suggested itinerary will certainly satisfy.
Wine and whales tours depart from Cape Town, visiting Stellenbosch before making for Hermanus, South Africa’s whale watching capital. Whilst in Stellenbosch, visitors can enjoy wine tasting experiences and try the leading South African wines before exploring the historic Dutch buildings, which have made the urban area famous.
Moving towards the coast to the tranquil town of Hermanus, visitors are urged to keep their eyes peeled for activity in the water. This seaside spot is renowned for its marine life, especially between June and October when migrating whales can be seen making their way to warmer waters.
The most common species spotted in this part of South Africa include the southern right whale, the humpback whale and Bryde’s whale. It may also be possible to see pods of dolphins out at sea too.
South Africa holidays from Freedom Destinations
Cape Town is the ideal base for exploring South Africa’s many wine routes. Before setting off on a sampling tour of the wineries, it’s worth taking some time to see what Cape Town has to offer. A sprawling city dominated by the majestic Table Mountain, this urban oasis boasts green spaces and a bustling waterfront named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
This is a great spot to grab lunch with a view. Cape Town is a city steeped in history and there’s a raft of museums and galleries to take in. A boat trip over to Robben Island comes highly recommended too, and you may also be keen to explore the local beaches. Boulders Beach is particularly popular thanks to its colony of 3,000 African penguins.
Just a short drive from the city, wine fans can discover the Constantia Wine Route. The first winery here was founded way back in 1685 and the region has since become synonymous with wine production and gastronomy.
The Constantia wine tours offer the chance to spend several hours visiting farms, estates and wineries in the area, as well as a 4-wheel drive tour of the mountainous vineyards. In addition to the abundance of wineries, there’s also a scintillating collection of restaurants for those keen to dine with a view.
Popular stops on the wine route include Steenberg Vineyards, Eagle’s Nest and Constantia Glen. The area is also known for its decadent, sweet dessert wines which have been exported from the area since the 19th century.
Travellers who are partial to a drop of wine will fall head over heels for South Africa’s expansive winelands. Boasting an outstanding reputation for producing opulent, hearty reds and fresh, zingy whites, South Africa is an incredible place to enjoy wine tasting tours and take in some truly breathtaking vistas along the way.
Include your wine tasting in a greater South Africa journey with our Garden Route, Safari & Wine Small Group Tour. However you choose to experience the winelands region, make time for multiple tasting experiences and wine tours in South Africa.
