Wines of the Cape

Overview: 

This specialist wine tour to the Cape winelands offers a comprehensive introduction to the wines of South Africa. The tour includes visits to a variety of different wine producing regions, presentations by local experts, tastings of premier wines and a unique insight into South Africa’s wine industry.

Information is offered in a light and interactive way by knowledgeable and entertaining experts and the itinerary is diluted with general interest visits and gourmet meals, making it ideal for wine buffs or anyone with a natural curiosity and a certain ‘joie de vie’.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome, Cape Town

Morning arrival into Cape Town International Airport.  Board private coach for a driven, scenic, city orientation tour en route to your hotel. After check in and lunch visit the nearby Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for a guided walk around these famous and picturesque gardens. In the early evening gather for pre-dinner drinks, a welcome address and an introductory lecture on the history of South Africa followed by dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: History of Wine in SA, Cape Town

Ascend Table Mountain for a guided walk and orientation followed by a walk up historic Government Avenue in the city centre. Visit the Cape's oldest wine estate, Groot Constantia, and hear about the early history of wine-making in the Cape.  After lunch enjoy a guided tour of the house. Afternoon visit to Klein Constantia, a beautiful privately owned wine estate. It is here that the famous Vin de Constance wine has been revived. Listen to a talk on the fascinating history of the farm and of the wines of Constantia and end with a tasting of prized wines made on the estate today.

Day 3: The Art of Tasting, Cape Town

Over breakfast enjoy a talk on the organisation of the wine industry in South Africa (Regions, Districts, Wards - Registered Estates, Cape Winemakers’ Guild & Private Cellars, Co-operative Cellars, Registered Producing Merchants). Board the coach for the scenic drive over Chapman's Peak to the Cape Point Vineyards, winner of the International Award for the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world in 2008 and many other accolades since. Enjoy an introduction to the art of wine tasting accompanied by some of Cape Point’s premium wines.  A picnic lunch at your next stop – Cape Point Nature Reserve.  Stand at the Cape of Good Hope, enjoy a guided walk through the indigenous flora and admire the view from the old lighthouse to Cape Point.  Spectacular scenery awaits you. On leaving the reserve continue to Simon's Town and visit the Jackass Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach. This evening enjoy a private dinner at Rodwell House hosted by one of South Africa’s foremost wine experts.  Enjoy a lecture on South Africa’s place in the global wine industry and a paired dinner.

Day 4: Day at Leisure, Cape Town

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore some of the many attractions on offer in Cape Town:  the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the shops, galleries and markets and maybe visit famous Robben Island – a world heritage site, enjoy a scenic helicopter flight or simply relax and unwind at your hotel.

Day 5: Wine Making, Stellenbosch

Check out of your hotel and drive to the second most important historic estate in the Cape, Vergelegen. At the top of the mountain, amidst spectacular views, descend underground to learn all about the wine making process and inspect the workings of the cellar with the cellar master. After a tasting of Vergelegen’s award winning wines explore the manor house and gardens and then enjoy lunch at the estate’s restaurant. Continue to Stellenbosch, the traditional heart of the Cape Winelands.  Stop en route to taste Ken Forrester’s superlative award winning chenins presented by the wine maker. Then enjoy a guided tour of the South Africa’s second oldest town.

Day 6: Terroir / Food & Wine Pairing, Stellenbosch

This morning board the coach to visit the wonderful Mediterranean inspired cellar of Waterford Estate. Listen to an introduction to the concept of ‘terroir’ and learn how climate & soil affect grape production. Taste superlative wines augmented with exquisite hand-made chocolates – something different for the taste buds. Continue the scenic drive up the mountain to De Trafford wine estate. An old established cellar making remarkable wines, particularly Chenins and Shiraz – chats with the winemaker will inform and enthral. Visit Hidden Valley Vineyards with its magical vistas and listen to an in depth chat about food pairing with the chef and cellar master. Enjoy superlative food paired with wines from the estate in the contemporary restaurant, Overture, recently voted amongst South Africa's Top Ten restaurants. After a leisurely lunch enjoy some free time in Stellenbosch.

Day 7: Retail / Viticulture, Stellenbosch

Board the coach for the scenic coastal drive to the seaside holiday town of Hermanus and the beautiful Hemel en Aarde (Heaven & Earth) valley.  Taste the premium wines of Bouchard Finlayson vineyards. Continue to the Wine Village in Hermanus – one of the country’s best wine shops – a one-stop indulgence in wine browsing and tasting. Listen to an informal talk on wine retailing and exporting.  Lunch in the village followed by time to explore the shops and galleries. Enjoy whale watching in season. Return to Stellenbosch via the apple-growing country of Elgin and stop at the privately owned farm of Shannon Vineyards on the banks of the Palmiet River. Stroll through meticulous vineyards with the owner while he talks about viticulture (planning, grafting, trellis, pruning, enriching soil, pest control, irrigation, canopy control).  In season taste the fruits of their labours in the vineyards.

Day 8: Farewell to the Cape, Stellenbosch

Take the scenic drive through Banhoek to the picturesque town of Franschhoek.  Visit Boekenhoutskloof, one of the regions privately owned cellars for a special tasting of premium wines, with the wine maker. Time at leisure to explore Franschhoek’s many boutiques and galleries followed by lunch in one of the many cafes or restaurants. En route back to Stellenbosch stop at Thelema for an informative talk on the estates wines, and those of neighbouring Tokara - similar terroirs – different, but fabulous, wines. This evening board the coach for the short drive to the private estate of Rust-en-Vrede. Enjoy a private wine tasting followed by a superb paired farewell dinner in the restaurant of the estate – another of South Africa's Top Ten restaurants.

Day 9: Flight Home

Late morning check out of your hotel and transfer to the V&A Waterfront. A last opportunity to send wine back home at Vaughan Johnson’s Wine Shop. Enjoy the shopping and attractions of the Waterfront before returning to the airport in time for your flight home.

Note:  This tour itinerary is a sample only and can be adapted to suit the needs of your particular group.