South African Wine Route: The Best Wineries Tour
A day is short to do an itinerary on the wine route: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek have hundreds of estates to visit! This is why we have selected in this circuit to visit the South African wine route our top 3 of the best vineyards. We based our selection on three important factors in our eyes: the quality of the wines and the beauty of the estate because they often do not go hand in hand ... But also the variety of tastings: you will visit an estate renowned for their white wines and two others for their red wines. Our choices will allow you to quickly discover all the nuances of the different South African wines.
NB: If you want to discover the wine route accompanied by a local, we recommend private tours offered by Civitatis. Simply select a language to book a guide who speaks your native language. The advantage is that the guide will explain the region to you better than if you do it yourself and it allows you not to have to take the car.
Book this tourFor families: a short detour on the wine route circuit to pet cheetahs
Early in the morning, start your tour by heading for the magnificent wine route of South Africa. For families with children, you can stop along the way pet and observe cheetahs in the “Cheetah Outreach” center which collects them when they are injured and can no longer survive in the wild. It's an incredible encounter with an unusual animal that you will certainly not do elsewhere: take advantage of it! For the others, head for the wine tastings.
The tour of the best vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek on the South African wine route
Start your South African wine route tour by a tasting at Morgenzon Estate renowned for these white wines (Réserve Chardonnay and Maestro Blend). The property is extraordinary with a magnificent flower garden, a small pond and a building typical of the architecture of the Huguenots, the first French settlers. Don't forget to take a little tour of the vines to understand why their wine is so good: they play classical music constantly with grapes!
Nearby, Jordan is an excellent restaurant for lunch. Its terrace overlooks the vines and you have the choice between the brasserie or the gourmet restaurant (ranked in the 10 best in South Africa). For the restaurant, it is almost compulsory to book in advance ...
The itinerary to visit the South African wine route then continue to Stellenbosch following the Helshoogte Pass. This collar is sumptuous and at the very top, stop at thelema to enjoy the view while tasting their wine. The estate was one of the pioneers in the region and their wine is one of the best in the country.
700 m further down, if you still have time before they close at 16 p.m., follow the path to Oldenburg. This winefarm is isolated in a breathtaking valley and their Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are seriously worth the detour. This frame is perfect to finish your tasting circuit on the South African wine route.
Finally, go down the pass towards Franschhoek and explore the main street of this pretty little town of the first French settlers.
The best tour to visit the South African wine route by tram
For those who want visit the South African wine route but who have no one to make Sam (drink or drive you have to choose), there is a superb vineyard tour by tram. The departure is in Franschhoek but they also organize shuttles that pick you up from your hotel in Cape Town or elsewhere. Book at least the day before on the “Franschhoek Wine Tram” website and we recommend that you follow the orange line. The stop at Babylon the Great is perfect for eating at noon in their sumptuous gardens (we recommend the Green House restaurant at the bottom of the gardens near the glass roof) and the stop at Boschendal which is the second oldest estate in South Africa. Tastings of their very good wines take place in the shade of a huge century-old oak tree.
Guided tours of the vineyards of the South African wine route: from the scooter tour to the electric bike tour
For a private guided tour of the South African wine route, we advise you to book on Civitatis. They are extremely friendly and accommodating. If you are more of a sporty type, we recommend that you discover the South African wine route by electric bike ou on a scooter. You will spend an unforgettable day in the vineyards!
Book the scooter Book the electric bikeOur advice for sending bottles of the South African wine route to your home
To send you bottles of wine, you can organize transport with the sellers of winefarms. But you will have to send a case of 6 bottles minimum for each domain. If you only want to send one or two cases of 6 with bottles of different wine properties, then we advise you to go to Caroline's Wine Cellar in Cape Town. They have the same prices as at the producers and you can make a selection of the best bottles you tasted during your visit to the South African wine route.
Tips for sleeping in Stellenbosch after your South African wine route tour
In the evening, after all the tastings of your South African wine route tour, the ideal is to sleep on site in Stellenbosch at Eendracht Hotel. This hotel is the best quality price report from the city and it is located in the city center close to restaurants, shops and tourist sites. Take advantage of the evening to discover this charming city!
Check availabilityImportant info : The wine route is the perfect place to treat yourself to a hotel during your stay in South Africa. Many charming establishments offer a magnificent setting in the middle of vineyards surrounded by mountains. It's the favorite region for locals' weddings and honeymoons! To discover these exceptional accommodations, read our article on the best hotels in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek that we recommend.
Our tips for a successful trip:
- Book your flight in advance to take advantage of the best prices
Airline ticket prices are cheaper when booked 6 to 3 months in advance. To be sure of getting the best price, we recommend using a flight comparator such as Skyscanner.
- Book your accommodation before departure to have access to the best offers
You will always find a room at the last minute, but the best located accommodations are necessarily those that are always full. That's why it's best to book your accommodations as soon as possible. We recommend going through Agoda which offers the best prices. In addition, this site allows you to be easily reimbursed in the event of cancellation.
- Skip the line to visit the most popular attractions
By booking your excursions in advance on Civitatis, you do not queue on site to get your tickets. Less time waiting = more time enjoying your vacation! Plus, their guided tours ensure you have a knowledgeable guide who speaks your language.
- Use a comparator to find a rental car at the lowest price
Save yourself hours of research with rentalcar.com ou discovercars.com. These comparators are the best for finding rental cars at the lowest prices.
- Don't leave without travel insurance
For us, it is unimaginable to leave without travel insurance. We recommend the one proposed by AXIS. This is the best guaranteed way to leave with peace of mind. However, consider taking out additional specialized insurance for activities not covered (such as skiing or scuba diving).
- Want more information about your destination?
Do not hesitate to complete the information present on this blog with a travel Guide. You can take it in your luggage and refer to it throughout your vacation.
To find out more about South Africa:
The itinéterre team
Itinéterre is a travel blog written by a team of expatriates and locals. They share their experiences so that you can enjoy the best tours in their countries. Their advice will help you plan your vacation easily as if a local is accompanying you!
