Cape Town South African Wine Experience

It exposes the traveler to the popular South African wines, history and sightseeing and landscape.
This tour teaches the travelers how South African wines are produced. The character of the South African wines in relation to the climate. The difference of our wines to the rest of the world. This tour is also about the history of South Africa. The coming of the Dutch settlers and later the introduction of the culture of wine production by the French Hugenouts.

The history of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment. The amazing landscape in the wine producing regions. The dramatic mountains and the hospitality of South Aficans. This tour also teaches the traveler how to pair wines with different dishes, cheeses and delicatessen. It also teaches the traveler how to order wine for different occasions.

As travelers drive around its a great sightseeing opportunity. Some of the wineries are perched almost on top of the mountains with majestic views of the valley below them for great photos.

Meeting Point

The Silo Hotel

Silo Square, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Pick up point is on the designated pick up of the Silo Hotel

What's included:

• Pick up from your hotel and drop off after the tour
• Complimentary visit to The Diamond Works - Museum (time permitting)
• Registered and accredited tourist guide
• Bottled water

Not included:

• Wine tasting fees up to R100pp per winery
• Gratuities

What to expect:

Duration: between 1 hour and 8 hours

Bergkelder Wine Centre

43 George Blake St, Plankenbrug, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa

Travelers will be taken through the process of wine production in the biggest cellar in South Africa. This is a cellar which has been dug under a mountain in order to maintain a cool temperature for wine maturation.
On arrival travelers will are taken through the wine production process by an onsite wine specialist guide. Travelers learn the various stages from picking the grapes in the vineyards until it is a finished product ready for consumption.
This is done in the cellar under cool controlled temperature. While travelers learn the entire production process they are also tasting the different wines which are making inroads on the international market.

A tour of the cellar normally last for an hour and the travelers are ushered into the wine museum. Here they can explore the the age old machinery, equipment, bottles and methods used to produce wine way back in the 1600 when wine was first produced in South Africa. Travelers have the opportunity of buying wine direct from the producer.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch

Visit one of the oldest towns in south Africa founded in 1679 by the Governor of Cape Town Simon van der Stel. See the oak tree lined streets with cafes, boutiques and art galleries.
Visit the Village Museum-a cultural history museum in the centre of Stellenbosch. See the four houses built between 1707 and 1880 by the Dutch. Explore this museum with the assistance of site guides. The lady guides are dressed in contemporary dresses which reflects the period when these houses existed.
Out of the villageare the bustling streets with vibrant students at every turn. This town attracts a lot of international students beacause of its location, fame, sporting and academic achievements. See the traditional open water canals lining the streets. Travelers are then driven around part of the University. Get the feel of the town before you head to a second winery the Marianne Wine Eastate.

1 hour

Marianne Wine Estate

Valley Road, off R44 Klapmuts, Stellenbosch, 7600

Visit this boutique winery owned by a family from Bordeaux France where they own 3 wine Eastates. Experince the art of wine making with a meticulous manual selection of grapes.
Here travelers will be exposed to attention to detail as this is not an over exposed winery. Experience personal attention as you taste the wines where from Nelson Mandela bought wine which he shared with the Queen of England.
Only the locals visit this place and after a visit to this winery you experience will sure add value to you desire of the South African wine.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Paarl

Paarl

Explore the beautiful town of Paarl first colonized in 1687 by the Dutch. See the old colonial Dutch architecture and the Afrikaans Language Museum.
Paarl is home to Paarl rock the second largest single rock outcrop in the world after The Uluru Rock in Astralia. Explore the small town with the longest main road in South Africa surrounded by the Paarl Rock on one side and the Du Toitskloof mountain on the east.
Travelers will also see the paarl river. This is small stream which used to be the dividing line between the whites and non whites during the time of apartheid. But now it is in this small stream that the South African Rowing Team is training.

30 minutes

Groot Drakenstein Prison

On the R301 Road 5 Km from the R45 Huguenot Road, , Breede River

Visit the former prison of Nelson Mandela where he was kept under house arrest. Follow the footsteps of the international statesman.
This is a low-security prison between Paarl and Franschhoek located in the Dwaars River valley. Take great photos next to the statue of Nelson Mandela. This prison is located in the heart of the wineries facing the Du Toitskloof Mountains

Learn a little bit of the history of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment until his release on the 11th of February 1990. .

30 minutes

Fairview Wine and Cheese

Suid-Agter Paarl Road, Suider Paarl, 7646

Visit this popular wine estate and goat farm which offers wine and cheese tastings. On this farm is also a mediterranean-style restaurant.
Learn how to taste wine from the wine experts here. Travelers will also learn how to pair wine with different dishes. Taste the different cheeses and delicatessen.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included