The Cape Winelands Journey – for Wine Lovers

8:00 AM – DEPARTURE FROM CAPE TOWN CITY CENTRE

Your guide will provide context for the day ahead, sharing insights into the Cape Winelands' rich history, diverse wine-making traditions, and the unique microclimate that has made this region internationally renowned.

MORNING:

STELLENBOSCH ORIENTATION AND HISTORIC DORP STREET WALK

We arrive in Stellenbosch, South Africa's second-oldest European settlement, founded in 1679. This university town exudes old-world charm whilst maintaining a vibrant, youthful energy. As we drive through the historic centre, your guide will point out architectural treasures, centuries-old oak trees planted by early settlers, and the cultural landmarks that define this elegant town.

We pause for a leisurely walk along historic Dorp Street, where whitewashed Cape Dutch gables, Victorian facades, and Georgian town houses create a living museum of South African architectural heritage. The tree-lined streets invite contemplation, the cafés and galleries speak of a thriving creative community, and everywhere you look, history whispers from preserved buildings that have stood for three centuries.

MID-MORNING: THE WINE ESTATES

FIRST ESTATE – BOUTIQUE MOUNTAIN WINERY

We ascend into the mountains to a boutique family-owned estate perched on the slopes of the Jonkershoek Valley. This intimate winery specialises in handcrafted, limited-production wines that reflect both the unique terroir and the passionate vision of its winemaker. Surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks and ancient forests, the tasting room offers an exclusive, personalised experience. Here, you will sample exceptional wines that showcases the estate's commitment to quality over quantity.

SECOND ESTATE – ARTISAN WINERY WITH SPECTACULAR VISTAS

We continue to a renowned estate celebrated not only for its exceptional wines but also for its breathtaking setting and world-class art collection. Perched atop Helshoogte Pass, this property commands panoramic views across multiple mountain ranges and valleys. The estate seamlessly integrates fine art with viticulture, creating an immersive aesthetic experience. As you move through elegantly appointed tasting spaces, museum-quality sculptures and paintings provide visual counterpoint to the liquid artistry in your glass.

The wine tasting here is an education in terroir, varietal expression, and the meticulous attention required to produce wines of international acclaim. 

FRANSCHHOEK VALLEY SCENIC DRIVE

Departing the Stellenbosch wine route, we journey towards Franschhoek—the "French Corner"—where Huguenot refugees settled in the late 1600s, bringing with them viticultural knowledge that would transform the region. The drive itself is spectacular: vineyards stretch towards mountains that rise sharply on either side of the valley, creating a natural amphitheatre of extraordinary beauty.

Your guide will share the history of the Huguenots' arrival, their influence on South African wine culture, and the enduring French character that defines Franschhoek today. 

LUNCH AT HISTORIC WINE ESTATE

We arrive at a wine estate whose history dates to 1695, where centuries of wine-making tradition meet contemporary culinary excellence. The setting is gracious—elegant Cape Dutch architecture, manicured gardens, and vine-covered mountains forming a timeless backdrop.

Your inclusive lunch is served in refined surroundings, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the estate's vineyards and the mountains beyond. The menu showcases seasonal, locally sourced ingredients prepared with sophistication and care. 

AFTERNOON: HISTORY AND FINAL TASTING

WINE TASTING AT HISTORIC ESTATE

Following lunch, we enjoy a guided tasting of the estate's acclaimed wines. Your host will introduce you to their portfolio—perhaps their signature Shiraz, elegant Method Cap Classique sparkling wines, or carefully aged reserves that showcase the estate's long history and evolving philosophy.

Beyond the wines themselves, the estate offers cultural richness: a museum housing historical artefacts, sculpture gardens where art and nature intertwine, and grounds that invite quiet wandering. 

DRAKENSTEIN PRISON

As we journey back towards Cape Town, we make a brief but significant stop at Drakenstein Prison. It was here that Nelson Mandela spent the final fourteen months of his twenty-seven-year imprisonment, living in relative comfort compared to his earlier years on Robben Island, yet still deprived of freedom. Your guide will provide historical context, sharing the significance of this site in the broader narrative of South Africa's journey towards freedom and reconciliation. It is a moment for reflection, for remembering, and for understanding the extraordinary courage required to dismantle centuries of injustice.

RETURN JOURNEY

4:00 PM – ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN CITY CENTRE

We return you to your city centre location, senses satiated, spirits lifted, and hearts full of the beauty and complexity that define the Cape Winelands.