Franschhoek is widely considered to be one of the most productive and popular wine regions in South Africa, attracting wine-loving visitors from all over the world with its lush green vineyards, stunning picturesque scenery and innovative wine cellars.
Whether you are local to Franschhoek or just visiting, a trip to the vineyard makes a beautiful day out. But where do you begin?
Below we’ve rounded up our favourite wine and vineyard tours in the Franschhoek region, to take the guesswork out of wine tasting.
Horse Riding and Wine Tasting - R 3,600
Admire and explore the views of the fascinating Franschhoek! Hop on and ride a friendly horse (all levels of experience welcome) whilst indulging in samples of the best wines, exclusive to the Vrede en Lust Wine Estate.
Your guide will take you through the scenic views of this old town as well as lead you through the exciting vineyards. After you descend into the valley, you will be able to try out some of Vrede en Lust's best wines. Perfect for those who love the outdoors, and some wine!
Franschhoek Wine Tram - R 260
If you can’t decide on just one vineyard, why not try a few at once?
The Franschhoek Wine Tram takes you on a picturesque journey through the Franschhoek Winelands, allowing you to pre-book your preferred route or “line”. Lines are colour-coded, and each one holds its own unique wine-tasting journey featuring a variety of different estates.
No matter which line you choose, you’ll visit a selection of stunning estates and wineries, enjoying tastings and food pairings along the way. Your method of transport is a stunning double-decker tram with an open top, so you can sit back and feel the sun on your face as you cruise through the unforgettable landscape.
We think this wine tram experience is a must-do for fans of wine; visitors and tourists alike.
Mullineux & Leeu Wine Tastings - from R 80
Head over to Mullineux & Leeu for a family-run wine tasting experience starting from just R 80. We love this wine estate for its varied options suitable for every budget.
For just R 80 a person, you can take part in their 'signature tasting' consisting of 4 wines, the perfect experience to get a 'taste' of what they do. (Pardon the pun.)
This is just the first of many options that the winery offers, including a R 300 tasting with 5 wines.
The beautiful setting of this vineyard alone makes it worth a visit; surrounded by trees, rolling hills and mountains, this is a place you won't be forgetting in a hurry.
La Rochelle Tours Franschhoek Tasting Experience
This half day tasting experience with La Rochelle Tours will take you to two different wine estates in the Franschhoek Wine Region, giving you a varied experience. During your luxurious wine tour, you’ll enjoy food and wine pairings from throughout the region and learn from the experts how the flavours complement and harmonise with each other.
Franschhoek Cellar Wine Tasting - from R 25
There are wine-tasting options available for every budget on the Franschhoek Cellar Wine Tasting Tour, starting from just R 25 for a tasting of one wine.
If you want a bit more of a varied experience, opt for the 6 Wines & 6 Cheeses tasting for R 70, or 6 Wines & 6 Chocolates for R 80.
You'll pair beautiful Franschhoek wines with ideally matched chocolate or cheeses, and learn how to use your palate to distinguish which wines pair best with which food.
Chamonix Wine Tasting - from R 30
Chamonix is based in the idyllic Blacksmith's Cottage which was built in the 18th century, so you're getting a slice of history and heritage with your wine tasting.
You can pick from several different options, starting with a cellar tour for R 30, and going up to a full tasting for R 225. If you want some food to accompany your wine (and let's be honest, who doesn't?!) you can add a cheese or charcuterie platter to your experience to enjoy local cheeses and cured meats along with the premium wines from your hosts.
Tuk Tuk Franschhoek - R 380
We’re ending our guide with a truly one of a kind experience in the form of this Tuk Tuk Franschhoek tour.
Your incredible wine-tasting adventure will begin when you climb aboard your unique transportation for the day: a cute little tuk tuk driven by your expert guide.
From there, you’ll begin your idyllic journey through the region, visiting 5 different wine estates along the way. There’s a couple of different routes you can take, including the Mont Rochelle route and the Dieu Donne route. Depending on your chosen tour, you could be visiting the Franschhoek Cellars, Grande Provence, La Bourgogne and many others.
One thing’s for sure, you’ll taste some delicious wine and have a beautiful day out.
Carriage Trail with Wine Tasting - R 900
Hop on your traditionally styled horse carriage and admire the vibrant, colourful scenery of Franschhoek!
Your group will meet at the historic Vrede en Lust Wine Estate, where these gentle horses will be waiting with your coachman, ready to start their journey. Settle into the cosy carriage as the horses take you on a relaxing stroll through the valley where you can admire the views of the mountains, vineyards and more. After your stroll, you will take part in a wine tasting with Vrede en Lusts prestigious wines.
What better way to unwind than with a gentle stroll and good wine?
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading our guide to the best wine tours in Franschhoek. We hope you’ve found the ideal tour for you, but if you’re still looking, check out our full range of Franschhoek experience gifts here.
Please feel free to leave a comment; we’d love to hear from you.
