The Cape Winelands are arguably the most beautiful in the world. Discover the towns of Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch. Its even well worth going off the beaten track to explore some of the lesser known regions such as Wellington, Tulbagh and Robertson.
Even if you don’t enjoy your wine, the scenery of the Cape Winelands is so spectacular that it makes visiting them reason enough. Hire a car and wind your way around any one of the 13 wine routes, stop off for wine tasting, cheese tasting, olive tasting and a gourmet lunch at any one of the five star restaurants. If your not keen to get behind the wheel then hop aboard one of our scheduled day trips that allows you to visit the Cape Winelands in the company of a knowledgeable and expert guide.
There are literally hundreds of things to see and do in the Cape Town's Winelands. Speak to your Rhino Africa consultant about your specific interests. Here are a couple of our personal favourites.
Spier
Spier Wine Estate is one of the most popular wine estates to visit in the Cape Winelands. Apart from wine tasting in their extensive wine cellar, you can visit the Birds of Prey, Meet a Cheetah, or dine at Moyo an authentic African Extravaganza which serves traditional African food – combined with African entertainment and dancers.
Le Picque Nique at Boschendal
Boschendal is a graceful old Cape Flemish Style mansion and centre piece of the extensive vineyards. The restaurant is famed for its traditional Cape buffet lunches, whilst we highly recommend booking a picnic at Le Picque Nique and enjoy relaxing out under the trees looking up at the mountains.
Fairview Cheeses
Fairview is a great place to stop off if you enjoy your cheese. Go for lunch at their Goat Shed Restaurant and order a cheese platter. Fairview make approximately 20 different types of cheeses, all of which are award winning. Fairview is particularly well known for its goat cheese, and as you enter the establishment its possible to see the goats as they climb a goats tower. Fairview also produces wine, the most notable and memorable being their Red ‘Goats do Roam ‘ and interesting play on words for ‘ Cotes du Rhone’.
Have lunch in Franschhoek
Franschhoek has some excellent restaurants. Its difficult to walk 200 metres without running into a cordon bleu chef. Booking is absolutely essential. Our favourite restaurants in Franschhoek include Ruebens, The Tasting Room, Bread and Wine, and Le Petite Ferme.
The Winelands on Horseback
Most visitors see the Cape Winelands by car, on conducted wine tours, or on foot along some of the pleasant walking trails . There are however, some less conventional ways of exploring this scenic and interest filled region. Our favourite method is by horseback. Speak to your Rhino Africa consultant about booking this.
Taal Monument
The Taal Monument is Jan Van Wijks remarkable 1975 tribute to South Africa’s Afrikaans Language. A mixture of Dutch, French, Malay, English, German and indigenous languages, all of them symbolically recognized in the monuments granite columns.
Wine Tasting
Grab your John Platter Wine Guide and head for the hills ! After many years of isolation, South Africa’s wines now grace the pages of excellent Winelists throughout the world. Plan your trip carefully as Wine Estates shut at 12h00 on Saturdays, and as a general are not open on Sundays. A nominal charge is usually made for wine tasting. Wine Estates can assist with helping you ship home your Cape Wineland purchases.
