Discover South Africa on Your Private Wine Tour

Suggested Tailored Wine Tour Itinerary

1. Cape Town

   

   Welcome to South Africa

   • 5* Hotel, Cape Town
   • Gourmet Tapas-style lunch with wine pairing
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   Your unforgettable tour of South Africa starts in the stunning coastal city of Cape Town, where your private driver will be waiting to take you to your luxury accommodation in South Africa’s most dynamic city. Check in, freshen up, and then enjoy an excellent lunch at the Pot Luck Club, founded by entrepreneur Luke Dale-Roberts. Dubbed ‘Cape Town’s coolest restaurant,’ the Pot Luck Club is all about tapas-style dining, sharing small plates including delicacies such as licorice-glazed sweetbreads and pancetta, peri-peri chicken, or perhaps beef tataki with a hoisin dressing. Paired with a selection of South Africa’s premium wines, it’s a fitting introduction to your upcoming adventure.

   After lunch, the choice is yours. Relax at the hotel or visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town’s biggest shopping and restaurant complex. Most importantly of all – relax! There will be plenty of time to freshen up before your first wine tasting at the delightful Publik. Dedicated to sourcing wines from sustainably farmed vineyards, a night at this chic bar is the perfect end to your first day in Cape Town. A glass of Le Lude Brut sparkling wine? That will do nicely.

   For a fine food experience tonight, try Aubergine (Harald Bresselschmidt) or The Conservatory at the Cellars (Peter Tempelhoff), both highly recommended.

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2. Cape Town - Constantia

   

   Constantia, Cape Town and Gastronomic dining

   • 5* Hotel, Cape Town
   • Full Breakfast, Lunch with wine pairing, Gourmet Dinner
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   Head less than half an hour south this morning and a scenic drive to the Constantia wine country, the oldest wine region in South Africa. The first vineyards were planted in the 1600s, and the area is rich in beautiful Cape Dutch architecture. You will visit Klein Constantia, South Africa’s oldest commercial vineyard. While they first came to fame for their delicious sweet wine Vin de Constance from the Muscat grape- still one of their finest wines- today, the winery also produces a superb range of varietal wines, including a brilliant Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. A great introduction to premium Cape wine; you will also get to try the delicious Cap Classique, a local sparkling wine. Moreover, talented winemaker Mathew Day will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Before lunch, enjoy another tasting at delightful Beau Constantia, with absolutely stunning views from the tasting room.

   Ready for lunch? We hope so, as Bistro Sixteen 82, owned by the Steenberg winery, is one of the Cape’s best. Enjoy local dishes in a relaxed bistro setting paired with a healthy selection of Steenberg’s finest wines. It’s then time for the adventure of a lifetime in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Table Mountain. The highest point (1,086 meters above sea level) offers the most spectacular views of Cape Town and Table Bay and is totally unmissable.

   After all that excitement, you will undoubtedly want to relax at the hotel before dinner at one of the city’s leading gastronomic destinations– The Test Kitchen. Owned by Luke Dale-Roberts, the Test Kitchen offers a slightly more formal experience than the Pot Luck Club, where mouth-watering creations such as smoked lamb and barley and toasted ginger wafers are paired with local wines—the ideal recipe for a memorable evening.

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3. Cape Town

   

   Somerset West and Hermanus Bay

   • 5* Hotel, Hermanus Bay
   • Full Breakfast, Lunch with wine pairing, Gourmet Dinner
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   Today, your driver will take you to one of South Africa’s most respected wineries – Vergelegen. Founded in the 18th century, it is a beautiful and modern estate that today produces the region’s leading icon wine – Vergelegen V. The excellent Vergelegen Shiraz and Chardonnay are other major highlights of your tasting, in addition to a private tour of the winery and cellars. Their manor house dates to 1700, and there are old camphor trees on the estate dating back over 300 years and now considered national monuments.

   After the tour, enjoy a fabulous, luxury picnic at the same beautiful wine estate, Vergelegen. In a private and intimate corner of the property, in a shady, 300-year-old camphor forest, a “white tablecloth” picnic will be set up for you. Savor convivial picnic classics like freshly baked artisanal bread with farm butter; Franschhoek smoked salmon trout mousse; farm pork pie and Scotch egg served with Piccalilli and farm chutney¨ a selection of Wineland cheeses and home-cured charcuterie¨ Coronation Chicken served with toasted flaked almonds: jeweled coleslaw with pomegranates served with a pineapple and cilantro dressing¨ and new potato salad with capers, dill, sweet pickles and homemade mayonnaise. All paired with estate wines, of course!

   And there are more highlights in store at the boutique Iona Winery. The winery was created relatively recently in 1997 by former engineer Andrew Gunn, and it is today one of the Cape’s most beautiful wine farms. Their Sauvignon Blanc is considered the region’s best, while the elegant, structured Pinot Noir is outstanding. A coastal-facing 5-star luxury hotel is your next port of call for the day, and what a stunning property it is! Situated in the pretty seaside town of Hermanus, southeast of Cape Town, it boasts exquisite design, attentive service, and a pampering spa to die for. Spend a few hours relaxing before a memorable dinner at the restaurant, where fresh fish cooked to perfection is the order of the day. Paired with local wines and stunning coastline views, it doesn’t get any better than this.

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4. Cape Town

   

   Elgin Wine Country Wine Estates

   • 5* Hotel, Hermanus Bay
   • Full Breakfast, Gourmet lunch
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   After breakfast at your idyllic beach hotel, you will enjoy two visits to leading wineries in Hermanus, Almenkerk, and Paul Cluver. Almenkerk is a family-run estate of the highest quality and a testament to the remarkable terroir of the Elgin region. Their range of wines is outstanding, particularly the Syrah and vineyard selection, a funky blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Viognier. It is one of the Cape’s most outstanding reds.

   The second visit is at Paul Cluver, a legendary name on a mission to craft the finest wines from sites that genuinely express their terroirs. Specializing in cool-climate style wines, Paul Cluver has been family-run since the end of the 19th century and today produces a venerable range of whites and reds. The Pinot Noir is one of our favorites in the Cape, which, of course, you will be able to try in addition to the excellent Riesling and Seven Flags Chardonnay. It is one of the unmissable highlights of your South African wine tour.

   Lunch is served at Paul Cluver’s signature restaurant, Fresh. Expect friendly, warm service and tasty local dishes prepared with passion and flair. Afterward, the day is yours. In September or October, your hotel can organize whale-watching excursions; otherwise, relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery. With a glass of wine, of course.

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5. Cape Town

   

   Visit Hermanus and Seafront lunch

   • 5* Hotel, Franschhoek
   • Full Breakfast, Exquisite lunch with sea views
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   This morning, you will have the chance to get better acquainted with the delightful resort of Hermanus. A pretty village, it boasts a fascinating harbor museum and the natural beauty of its famous cliffs, perfect for whale spotting in season. A walk along the cliffs in September or October often provides fantastic views of the Southern Right whales, a common sight in Hermanus during the fall.

   After your excursion, head to La Pentola for an exquisite lunch with the best sea views in town. They specialize in mouth-watering fusion cuisine. Their Thai Green vegetable curry is (we think) the region’s best. The wine list is no less impressive and provides valuable introductions to South Africa’s leading regions and grape varieties.

   It’s time to bid farewell to Hermanus and head north to Franschhoek, where your luxury accommodation awaits. It is a stunning property with service to match. We don’t want to spoil it too much, but let’s say you’re in for a major treat. Check in, relax, and enjoy.

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6. Cape Town

   

   Paarl Wine Tour and Gourmet Dinner

   • 5* Hotel, Franschhoek
   • Full Breakfast, Vineyard lunch with wines, Gourmet Dinner
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   Welcome to Paarl! This unique town is the third oldest European settlement in South Africa and its second-largest wine region, producing wines of superlative quality today. The adventure begins at Painted Wolf Wines, a family tale that Jeremy and Emily Borg founded in 1997. A fun-loving couple, they’re the perfect hosts and will introduce you to a range of their exceptional wines, including our favorites, The Den Sauvignon Blanc and the famous Pinotage Black Pack.

   Next up is Glen Carlou, established in 1985. With its views of the majestic Drakenstein Mountains, an exciting modern art collection, and delicious wines, Glen Carlou is an undisputed highlight of your bespoke tour. Taste their outstanding collection of fine wines with winemaker Arco Laarman, including one of South Africa’s leading whites, Quartz Stone Chardonnay. It’s simultaneously refined and expressive, a beguiling glass full of tropical fruit and toasty oak.

   Glen Carlou will prepare a sumptuous lunch next to see you through to dinner. In the afternoon, you will have time to explore Franschhoek at leisure. One of the oldest towns in South Africa, Franschhoek, was settled by Huguenots (Protestants) in the 17th century and is today considered one of the Cape’s most prosperous towns. Apart from the stunning scenery, the local Huguenot museum is well worth a look, documenting the settler’s history in this part of the world. Then, after a well-earned rest, prepare for a gastronomic experience at La Colombe at Le Quartier Francais tonight; incredible!

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7. Cape Town

   

   Beautiful Frankschhoek Valley

   • 5* Hotel, Franschhoek
   • Full Breakfast, Top winery restaurant lunch, Gourmet Dinner
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   Can there be a more beautiful place on earth to spend the day than the captivating Franschhoek Valley? Today, you will discover the many highlights of this special region, including tours at Chamonix and La Motte wineries. Chamonix, your first stop, is far more than a winery – it offers chic accommodation, a great restaurant, and an underground cellar that is very popular with visitors. Head winemaker Thinus will guide you through his brilliant selection of wines; our favorite is the always delicious Reserve white, a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

   Your second visit to La Motte will afford you the chance to try one of the Cape’s most highly regarded wines – Hanneli R. A blend of Tempranillo, Petit Syrah, and Syrah; it’s a structured, robust wine of remarkable intensity. The perfect foil for the excellent cuisine served at La Motte’s restaurant, where you will have lunch today. The afternoon is yours to do with as you please. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the famous hospitality of your hotel. Dinner is at The Chefs Warehouse at Maison Estate, an excellent gastronomic den run by chef Liam Tomlin. An advocate of farm-to-table cooking, the vast majority of his produce comes from the neighboring farm, ensuring that the ingredients are as seasonal and fresh as can be. Indeed, this is one of South Africa’s greatest restaurants.

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8. Cape Town

   

   Stellenbosch Fine Wines

   • 5* Hotel, Franschhoek
   • Full Breakfast, Gourmet winery restaurant lunch
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   After a sumptuous breakfast, prepare for a spectacular finale of your South African odyssey. We have arranged a special tasting at DeMorgenzon, run by the dynamic duo Hylton and Wendy Appelbaum. The farm is high above the valley, affording visitors amazing views across Table Mountain, taking in the bay’s grand sweep. Hylton is a pioneer and plays baroque music to his vines 24/7. It’s not just a gimmick, though, as a tasting of their excellent wines will prove. The Reserve Chenin is arguably the finest made in the Cape. What follows is another great tasting at the neighboring Jordan Winery, which has been run by Gary and Kathy Jordan since 1993. It’s a beautiful and historic farm renowned for its powerful, meaty Syrah and the supremely elegant Nine Yards Chardonnay. The restaurant in Jordan is run by chef George Jardine, one of the country’s top 10 chefs.

   Lunch will follow, and what a farewell lunch they have in store! Expect smoky, smoldering country flavors in simple combinations on a contemporary plate – with signature smoked yellowtail, steamed Saldanha mussels, seared ribeye, and springbok pot roast up for grabs. All accompanied, of course, with a selection of Jordan’s brilliant wines. Take the afternoon off from wine tasting and stroll around the beautiful town of Stellenbosch. Its stunning architecture is a result of the Cape’s Dutch heritage, and today, Stellenbosch is celebrated as both a center of agriculture and a center of learning. The region’s first university was inaugurated in 1918, and to this day, it remains an internationally recognized education center and one of the leading universities in Africa.

   After your stroll, return to Franschhoek in the late afternoon and take advantage of a last free evening to enjoy a great meal and relax.

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9. Cape Town

   

   Depart Cape Town

   • None
   • Full Breakfast
   • Chauffeured Mercedes

   Your private driver will take you to the airport in Cape Town today for your outbound journey. Have a safe journey home and see you again soon!

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