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Best wine-tasting experiences in Cape Town [2024]
Cape Town is a popular destination for wine lovers across the world. With a fascinating history and culture, you can sample wine and take in the breathtaking landscapes of South Africa.
Cape Town has been producing wine for centuries, with the perfect climate for Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc grape varieties.
From dynamic modern food pairings to traditional wine-making processes, there’s something for everyone in this vast and diverse location.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about wine tasting in Cape Town, including must-try wines and the best wineries to visit in Cape Town.
Wine and wine regions in South Africa
South Africa is full of unique wineries and vineyards where you can learn, explore, and relax with some great wine.
The Western Cape is the largest wine region in South Africa, with ideal conditions for growing grapes. The region experiences hot summers and damp winters – and the soil is rich with clay and sandstone.
The Paarl wine region also has a long tradition of producing delicious wines. The region is known for Chenin Blancs, as these grapes need hot climates to grow.
Must-try Cape Town wines
South Africa produces a range of different wines, exported across the world. Cape Town Chenin Blanc is a versatile white wine with an easy nature. Originally grown in the Loire Valley in France, this grape is often used in sparkling and dessert wines.
Sauvignon Blanc is a staple of many Cape Town wineries – and those grapes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean are particularly memorable, with fruity notes.
The Franschhoek region produces a sparkling wine called Methode Cap Classique®. Inspired by French champagne, it’s made from grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
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What are some of the best wineries to visit in Cape Town?
There are lots of fantastic wineries to visit in Cape Town, including vineyards and wine routes across the region. Let’s take a look at some of the best wineries for your Cape Town wine tour.
Durbanville Hills
The Durbanville region has been producing wine since the 17th century. In the 1990s, Durbanville Hills® decided to pay homage to the region’s history, building a cellar to produce their own selection of wines.¹
You can enjoy a range of Durbanville Hills wine-tasting experiences. The Awards Tasting includes a sample of 6 Durbanville Hills wines, such as Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc and Durbanville Hills Merlot Rosé.
You can also tour the cellars or try out delicious chocolate and wine pairings at Durbanville Hills. There’s something for every taste!
Durbanville Hills is located in the northern suburbs of Cape Town – and it takes under half an hour to drive from the center of Cape Town. You can also get a bus or train to this iconic winery.
Price: Awards Tasting: 135 South African rands (ZAR)²
Cape Point Vineyards
Cape Point Vineyards® is located on the Cape Peninsula, looking out at the stunning Chapman’s Peak mountain range. The vineyard is known for its coastal Sauvignon Blanc and Isliedh wines.³
You can take part in a selection of wine tastings, all overlooking Cape Point’s beautiful sea views. As part of your wine tasting, you’ll sample 4 different wines: Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Noordhoek Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020, and Isliedh 2020.
You can even pair your wines with sushi for a unique wine-tasting and food-pairing experience.⁴
Cape Point Vineyards is on the other side of Table Mountain – and it’s just under an hour’s drive from central Cape Town. However, it’s close to surrounding towns like Fish Hoek if you’re staying out of the city.
Price: Prices vary
The Franschhoek Wine Tram
Franschhoek is a famous wine district – and the Franschhoek Wine Tram® is the perfect way to make the most of everything the region has to offer.
You can catch the Franschhoek Wine Tram to explore Franschhoek Valley vineyards for the day, including different lines for different tours. This hop-on hop-off tour experience lets visitors enjoy gorgeous vineyard views and visit local wine farms for tastings.
You can visit 8 wine estates as part of the Franschhoek Wine Tram Blue Line, including:
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The number of wines you get to sample at each location may depend on which color route line you choose, and how many estates you wish to tour.
You’ll meet at Franschhoek or Groot Drakenstein Terminal for your wine tram experience. There’s a free bus between both stops – and Franschhoek is close to the towns of Paarl and Stellenbosch.
Price: Prices start from 300 ZAR for a standard hop-on hop-off experience⁶
Rust en Vrede
Rust en Vrede® is located in Stellenbosch, in eastern Cape Town. It’s known across South Africa for its premium red wines, including Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Estate Vineyards Syrah.
You can try out the estate’s full range of wines in the Rust en Vrede tasting room, with daily tastings guided by wine experts. For example, the Rust en Vrede Estate Tasting lets visitors sample 3 wines produced in the vineyard.
As part of your tasting, you can tour the vineyard’s wine cellar or try out a selection of food pairings, such as the Rust en Vrede Winemaker’s Lunch.⁷
Rust en Vrede is a 40-minute drive from central Cape Town and it’s only 15 minutes from Stellenbosch town center. Close to the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, it may be best to drive to this rural wine destination.
Price: Estate Tasting: 120 ZAR⁸
Planning your Cape Town wine tour: things to know
Heading to Cape Town? Let’s take a look at a few ways to effectively plan your wine tour!
What's the best time to visit wineries in Cape Town?
March to May is a good time to visit wineries in Cape Town. This is autumn, meaning temperatures are pleasant but there’s not too much rain if you’re outside in the vineyards.
However, if you’d prefer cooler temperatures, June to August may be better, as this is winter in Cape Town.
Whatever time you decide to visit, make sure to book your Cape Town wine tour in advance to ensure the vineyard is open to visitors.
Accommodation
If you’re looking to visit a few different Cape Town wineries during your trip, you could use central Cape Town as a base and drive out to your vineyards of choice.
However, many wineries are further out of the city, so you may want to stay in nearby towns or villages, such as Stellenbosch.
For example, it takes 40 minutes to drive to Cape Point Vineyards from central Cape Town, but there are plenty of hotels in the surrounding towns that may be more convenient.
If you want to try out the Franschhoek Wine Tram, you may want to stay in one of the village’s many hotels to easily get to your wine tour experience.
Getting to the wineries
You’ll need to leave enough time to get to the winery from your hotel or accommodation, especially as many Cape Town wineries are located in rural areas.
You’ll also need to look into exactly where to meet for your Franschhoek Wine Tram tour or Cape Town wine route.
Cape Town has good transport links across the region. There’s a network of trains and buses, or you can get to your location by taxi or car.
Bottom line: is a Cape Town wine tour worth it?
Cape Town is a unique destination for your next wine tour! Durbanville Hills and Rust en Vrede offer a look into the history and tradition of South African wine-making, or you can sample wine by the sea at Cape Point Vineyards.
Plan your trip to make the most of your Cape Town wine tour – and don’t forget to sample some of Cape Town’s must-try wines.
To start planning your trip abroad, check out Wise.
Sources:
- Durbanville Hills
- Durbanville Hills
- Cape Point Vineyards
- Cape Point Vineyards
- Franschhoek Wine Tram
- Stingy Nomads
- Rust de Vrede
- Rust de Vrede
Sources checked on 03.20.2024
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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