The tour departs from the city, along the N1 highway en route to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch; towns not only celebrated for their wines but also for a variety of cheeses, olives and much more.
First stop, Paarl. Originally called Tortoise Mountain by the indigenous Khoikhoi and San people, Paarl is said to have been renamed in 1657 when Dutch settlers, who after a rainstorm, saw the large granite outcrop glistening in the new sun, hence naming it “de Diamondt en de Peerlberg” (Diamond and Pearl Mountain) from which the now name “Paarl” was derived.
On our arrival at Paarl, we pass by the Afrikaans Language Monument en route to our first wine tasting stop at the Fairview Wine & Cheese Estate. Situated on 350 hectares of decomposed granite soil on the south western slopes of the Paarl Mountain, Fairview Wine Estate is one of the pioneers of wine production in the region. Guests are invited to taste and pair their favourite premier tiered wines with a variety of goats cheeses on offer in the delightfully relaxing ambiance of what was formerly one of the farm’s old wine cellars. A tour of the cellars and an overview of the production processes can be included on request.
Paarl is the third oldest town in South Africa (after Cape Town and Stellenbosch) and gained international attention on 11 February 1990 when Nelson Mandela was release from one of the prisons here, then called Victor Verster Correctional Centre. After leaving Fairview Wine Estate, we stop at the gates of the prison for a brief photo stop at Nelson Mandela’s world renowned “Long Walk to Freedom” statue before continuing to Franschhoek.
In and amongst a wealth of natural rustic beauty lay opulent wine estates that produce the crisp white wines and classic French-style red wines that this region has become known for.
Meaning “French Corner”, Franschhoek was first settled into in 1688 by French Huguenot refugees who were given land by the Dutch government. Shortly after their introduction into the region, many of the estates were named after the areas in France from which the refugees came i.e. La Motte, Champagne Estates, etc. and produced wines sought after by Napoleon, Bismarck and more.
In Franschhoek, we drive to the top of the mountain pass for a photo stop with panoramic views back across the valley. On return down the mountain pass, guests are invited to leisurely self-walk the streets of this historically preserved Cape Dutch town and browse through a variety of boutique stores. While here, guests are presented with an exquisite choice of lunch venues to choose from.
If time allows, guests are treated to another wine tasting en route to Stellenbosch.
Second only to Cape Town itself, Stellenbosch is the next oldest town and European settlement in South Africa. The town is also affectionately referred to as “Eikestad” in Afrikaans or the “City of Oaks” owing to the scores of oak trees planted by its founder to charm the streets of his new home.All prices for day tours include entry fee to Nature
Reserve and Wine Tasting only.

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