Western Cape
Western Cape for wine lovers: Franschhoek estate tastings from 60 rand and the Franschhoek Wine Tram, plus Stellenbosch estate tastings from 70 rand.
- 2culinary experiences
Culinary experiences in Western Cape
South African Tourism from South Africa, CC BYWinery visitFranschhoek winery visits
Estate tastings in the Franschhoek valley, from 60 to 220 rand per adult, and the Franschhoek Wine Tram, which links the farms by tram and open-air bus.FranschhoekView
South African Tourism from South Africa, CC BYWinery visit30 minutes to 3 hoursStellenbosch winery visits
Tastings at five Stellenbosch estates, from 70 to 200 rand per adult, Jordan’s guided cellar tour at 249 rand and Waterford’s three-hour wine walk at 1,075 rand.StellenboschViewCities and towns in Western Cape
User:Da_Legend, Public domain
South African Tourism from South Africa, CC BYMap of Western Cape
The Western Cape is the south-western province of South Africa, with Cape Town as its capital. The Cape Winelands, which include Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, lie inland from the city, among mountain ranges. French Huguenot refugees settled in Franschhoek at the end of the 17th century, and the town’s name means “French corner”.
Leopard’s Leap and Rickety Bridge both stand on the R45, the road through the valley. In Franschhoek, a tasting costs 60 to 220 rand per adult at the two estates in this guide. The Franschhoek Wine Tram offers two ways to tour the farms: a hop-on hop-off ticket for transport at 350 rand, with tastings paid at each estate, and an all-inclusive day, open to adults, at 1,900 rand.
Stellenbosch, another wine town of the Winelands, has five estates in this guide, with tastings from 70 to 200 rand and Waterford’s Porcupine Trail Wine Walk, about three hours, at 1,075 rand.
Getting there
Cape Town International Airport is the main gateway. Franschhoek lies inland, east of the city. Once there, the wine tram avoids the need to drive between estates.