The Grape Escape: Wine Tasting in South Africa
When you think of wine-tasting, South Africa should always be the first destination to spring to mind
VIVID Travel’s Africa Expert, Zoe has lived and worked in the South African Winelands and has put together her top picks for wine-tasting in South Africa.
1. Stellenbosch
Established in 1679, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second oldest town. It is very charming with romantic oak-lined streets, appealing architectural diversity, outdoor art exhibitions and its famous food and wine heritage.
There’s a really fun, upbeat vibe with plenty of bars and restaurants to tantalise your taste buds, as well as exciting markets and great shops so you can take a piece of this fabulous town home with you.
I would highly recommend that you take part in the ‘Big Five Vineyard Safari’ at the Warwick Wine Estate. This tour is a great way to combine enjoying and learning about different wines with the enchanting backdrop of beautiful mountain scenery.
If you’re looking for something a bit different then you should take a Segway tour of the Spier Wine Farm. This is also a great place to have a picnic with a view – there is a little shop on site where you can buy your own basket, which you can then fill up with delicious produce from local farms to enjoy in this gorgeous setting.
For those wanting to stay in Stellenbosch, my favourite hotel is the Majeka Guest house. Perfect for foodies, the restaurant here is one of the thirty best restaurants in the whole of South Africa! It’s an incredible dining experience where you can enjoy eight different small dishes with delicious wine to match. It also has stylish and unusual modern interiors which are sure to impress.
2. Franschhoek
The tiny town of Franschhoek, nestled in between towering mountains, is well-worth putting on an itinerary if romance is in the air. As the country’s food and wine capital, it’s an essential place to stop for foodies and wine-lovers. The vineyards here were established over 300 years ago by French Huguenot settlers, who brought the age-old tradition of their homeland with them.
Franschhoek is much smaller than neighbouring Stellenbosch which makes it ideal for exploring, with small boutiques, market stalls and art galleries, it’s the perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs.
A great way to enjoy your time in Franschhoek is to take a trip on the famous Wine Tram. Departing from the centre of town there are many different routes to explore, just the ticket for a day touring the many fantastic wine estates in the region with like-minded people. If you’re after a lazy afternoon, definitely visit La Petite Ferme. A beautiful setting where you can sit back and enjoy the best views of the valley, while sipping a delicious glass of wine.
Without doubt, you would enjoy dinner at Babylonstoren, a vivid and unique restaurant where the plates are created with a focus on colour. With all produce coming from their own vegetable garden it’s a very instagrammable restaurant experience.
3. Constantia, Cape Town
If you’re short on time, head to Groot Constantia from central Cape Town for a blissful afternoon. This large vineyard is South Africa’s oldest wine estate offering wine tasting, cellar tours and a beautiful setting. Perfect for long walks with a picture perfect backdrop, this vineyard is ideal for those wanting to sample some of South Africa’s best wines in a single location.
Extend your time here by enjoying a delicious meal al fresco, in the dappled sunshine under the aged oak trees while sipping a perfectly paired light and fresh Semillon.
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