Cape Stellenbosch Winelands Tour : Paarl & Franschhoek

Depart hotel at 09h00 for three wine tasting opportunities

The Cape Stellenbosch winelands tour takes us through to Paarl to Vrede & lust wine estate for a wine pairing.

The scenic beauty of Paarl compels visitors to explore the many cultural and historical attractions in the Drakenstein Valley, together with some of the most bountiful nature reserves in the surrounding mountains.

Paarl takes its name from the huge granite outcrop that stands proudly on the crest of Paarl Mountain. The town which is only a 45-minute drive from Cape Town was founded in 1687 and is the third oldest settlement in South Africa and has a rich cultural and historical heritage. The birth of Afrikaans as the world’s youngest language is celebrated by the iconic Afrikaans Language Monument that stands prominently on the southern slopes of Paarl Mountain.

Your second wine-taste is at La-Motte before an optional visit to the French Huguenot monument. Franschhoek, where the French Huguenots settled in 1820.

As with fine food and outstanding wines, so too fine art needs to be savoured in order to be appreciated. Regarded as SA’s premier food and wine destination, Franschhoek has added art destination to its résumé. Franschhoek is home to some of the country’s finest art offerings and a growing number of local and international art enthusiasts, a need arose to establish Art Franschhoek, which showcases all of these and much more. The route aims to promote fine art in the valley in the same way its other strengths have been defined, namely food and wine.

Have lunch on a winery with magnificent views of the Franschhoek Valley

The Cape Stellenbosch winelands tour continues through to Stellenbosch. the second oldest town in South Africa, via the magnificent Helshoogte mountain pass.

Stellenbosch holds the honour of being the most well-known town in South Africa. History, culture, natural beauty, sport, education and wine has made the name ‘Stellenbosch’ resonate around the globe as one of South Africa’s premier tourist, wine, business and education attractions.

The recorded history of Stellenbosch dates back to 1679 when this name was given to a small island on the Eerste River by Simon van der Stel, the then governor of the Cape. It can, however, be assumed that prior to its official naming, the Stellenbosch surrounds were home to various indigenous communities.

The Eerste River, which today still ripples through Stellenbosch, was so named as this happened to be the First (‘Eerste’) river the Dutch settlers came upon after leaving their Cape Town base

Stop at Delaire Graff wines for a third wine tasting

Take a short walk through this historic town with another possible wine tasting (if time allows)