Wine your way through Cape Town with these tasting experiences

by Staff Bona

Wine exploration is an essential part of any trip to Cape Town and its surroundings! As a region drenched in the culture of vino experiences, there’s always a new wine to taste, whether by tram or a wine biking tour.

The Cape Winelands District is an oasis of different geographical spots to treat not only your pallet but your eyes too. Sip on the views and the Cape’s wine treasures with these tasting experiences:

6 alternative ways to wine taste in and around Cape Town

1. The Franschhoek Wine Tram

Perhaps one of Cape Town’s most adventurous wine-tasting experiences, the Franschhoek Wine Tram offers you great wine and spectacular views on a silver platter. You’ll explore some of the country’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates, all in the luxury of a double-decker tram.

@winetram/Instagram

You’ll start your hop-on hop-off experience in Cape Town and head to Franschoek Valley to visit multiple wine estates in the region. Each stop offers a different wine estate and experience as well as each’s unique history and pairings.

The tours are highly organised, offering colour coding for you to outline your various destinations.

2. Wine biking 

If travelling eco-friendly sounds like your kind of adventure, then pop Bikes ‘n Wines tours on your vino bucket list. Offering various tours for every kind of traveller, the world of wine becomes your oyster.

Stellenbosch, Klein Constantia or Franschoek? Take your pick!

@bikesnwines/Instagram

The tours include fully-guided explorations, the thrill of an e-biking experience and for some routes (such as Klein Constantia) wine tasting en route!

If you’re looking to tackle a more lengthy route a little out of town, the Elgin Valley tours (spanning 30-60kms and 20-50kms depending on the region) may entice you.

Do you want more of a wine farm experience? Then check out this guide on everything you can enjoy at Babylonstoren.

3.Wine segway tours 

Spier Wine farm is easily one of the most famous wine producers in the world, so why not go exploring in one of the coolest ways possible?

Spier Wine Farm

Grab a segway and get ready to cruise along with guided tours for either one or two hours – the choice is yours! While you may not be sipping and segwaying simultaneously, there is a fabulous, complimentary wine-tasting experience to await you after your journey.

4. Cape Wine Bus 

If it’s Constantia Valley you’ve been dying to explore, then the Cape Wine Bus will certainly have your cup overflowing with joy. Constantia Valley is the oldest wine-producing region in the entire Southern Hemisphere, operating since 1685.

 citysightseeing.co.za

Only 30 minutes away from the city and you feel as though you’re in another world entirely. The bus tour is centred around this A list wine region focusing on 3 historic wine estates – Groot Constantia, Eagles Nest and Beau Constantia.

Sample some of the world’s most sought-after wines, enjoy the natural landscape and greenbelts, and of course the magic of Constantia Valley.

5. Ice cream wine experience 

If you love wine to the extent that you wish it could be infused with some of your other favourite treats, Somerbosch has an experience you won’t want to miss.

hotspots2c.co.za

hotspots2c.co.za

The Stellenbosch-based wine estate offers a one-of-a-kind ice cream and wine pairing, where three red wines are paired with homemade red wine ice creams, perfect for summer.

The wines include Pinotage, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, and boast a perfectly trendy option apt to the young wine estate’s energy. Enjoy the scenery of the Helderberg, have your wine and lick it too.

6. Wine caves

Not only is this family-run boutique winery home to some impeccable wines, but it also offers an incredible wine tasting experience thanks to its wine caves.

@kleinroosboom/Instagram

These cosy-tasting havens were once old concrete wine tanks that were knocked open to ensure that wine drinkers have a little something extra to write about when testing out Klein Roosboom’s wine.

Each “cave” has its own theme for an extra unique experience.

Happy sipping!

 

Compiled by: Ashleigh Nedft