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Home4.5-Hour Private Visit to the Wineries Stellenbosch Franschoek from Cape Town
Highlights
- Learn about the popular South African wines and history
- Marvel at the beauty of the landscape
Description
This tour teaches the travellers how South African wines are produced. The character of the South African wines in relation to the climate. The difference between 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 Huguenots. The history of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment. The amazing landscape in the wine-producing regions. The dramatic mountains and the hospitality of South Africa. This tour also teaches the traveller how to pair wines with different dishes, cheeses and delicatessen. It also teaches the traveller how to order wine for different occasions. As travellers drive around, it's 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.
Itinerary
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Visit to the Wineries Stellenbosch Franschoek from Cape Townexpand_more
- Travellers will be taken through wine production in the most extensive cellar in South Africa. This cellar has been dug under a mountaintop to maintain a cool temperature for wine maturation. On arrival, an onsite wine specialist guide takes travellers through the wine production process. Travellers learn the various stages, from picking the grapes in the vineyards until finished products are ready for consumption. This is done in the cellar under a calm, controlled temperature. While travellers learn the entire production process, they also taste the different wines making inroads on the international market. A cellar tour typically lasts an hour, and the travellers are ushered into the wine museum. Here they can explore the old machinery, equipment, bottles and methods used to produce wine in 1600 when wine was first produced in South Africa. Travellers have the opportunity of buying wine direct from the producer.
- 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 village are the bustling streets with vibrant students at every turn. This town attracts a lot of international students because of its location, fame, and sporting and academic achievements. See the traditional open water canals lining the streets. Travellers are then driven around part of the University. Get the feel of the town before you head to a second winery, the Marianne Wine Estate.
- Visit this boutique winery owned by a family from Bordeaux, France, where they own 3 wine Estates. Experience the art of winemaking with a meticulous manual selection of grapes. Here travellers will be exposed to attention to detail as this is not an over-exposed winery. Experience personal attention as you taste the wines from where 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, your experience will surely add value to your desire for South African wine.
- 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 Australia. Explore the small town with the longest main road in South Africa, surrounded by Paarl Rock on one side and the Du Toitskloof mountain on the east. Travellers will also see the Paarl river. This is a 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.
- 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 about the history of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment until his release on the 11th of February 1990.
- 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. Travellers will also learn how to pair wine with different dishes. Taste the different cheeses and delicatessen.
What's Included
- Pick up from your hotel and drop off after the tour
- Registered and accredited tourist guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Wine tasting at three wineries
What's Excluded
Lunch
Gratuities
Know before you go
- Not wheelchair accessible
- We pick up from Hotels, Air Bnbs, Guest Houses and Lodges. We also pick up from the Cape Town Cruise Ship Terminal at the V & A Waterfront
Language
French, Portuguese, English
Activity Level
Easy