Wine exploration is an essential part of any trip to Cape Town and its surroundings. A region drenched in the culture of vino experiences has led most locals and visitors to always be on the lookout for exciting ways to experience tastings.
The Cape Winelands District for one is an oasis of different geographical spots to treat not only your pallet, but your eyes too with all there is to explore. Keeping this in mind, wine tasting experiences that allow you to embrace scenery at its finest are a large part of wine culture in the Western Cape, and alternative wine tasting adventures are always thrilling!
Ready to sip on these ideas?
Here are 6 alternative ways to wine taste in and around Cape Town:
1. The Franschhoek Wine Tram
Perhaps one of Cape Town’s most adventurous wine-tasting experiences, the Franschhoek Wine Tram offers you great wine and spectacular views on a silver platter. You’ll explore some of the country’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates all in the luxury of a double-decker tram.
You’ll start your hop-on hop-off experience in Cape Town and head to Franschoek Valley visiting multiple wine estates in the region. Each stop offers a different wine estate and experience as well as each’s unique history and pairings.
The tours are highly organised, offering colour coding for you to outline your various destinations.
- Wesbite: citysightseeing.co.za
- Cost: R579.00 per adult | R295.00 under age 12
2. Wine biking
If travelling eco-friendly sounds like your kind of adventure, then Bikes ‘n Wines tours should go on your vino bucket list. Offering various tours, you can take your pick as to which wine region you’re looking to get involved in, as well as for how long.
Stellenbosch, Klein Constantia or Franschoek? Take your pick!
The tours include fully-guided explorations, the thrill of an e-biking experience and for some routes (such as Klein Constantia) Wine tasting on the route.
If you’re looking to tackle a more lengthy route a little out of town, the Elgin Valley tours (spanning 30-60kms and 20-50kms depending on the region) may entice you.
- Wesbite: bikesnwines.com
- Cost: From R995
3.Wine segway tours
Spier Wine farm is easily one of the most famous wine producers in the world, so why not go exploring in one of the coolest ways possible?
Grab a Segway and get ready to cruise along with guided tours for either one or two hours – the choice is yours! While you may not be sipping and segwaying simultaneously, there is a fabulous, complimentary wine tasting experience after your journey.
- Website: segwaytours.co.za
- Cost: From R375
4.Cape Wine Bus
If it’s Constantia Valley you’ve been dying to explore, then the Cape Wine Bus will certainly have your cup overflowing with joy. Constantia Valley is the oldest wine-producing region in the entire Southern Hemisphere, operating since 1685.
Only 30 minutes away from the city and you feel as though you’re in another world entirely. The bus tour is centred around this breathtaking region focusing on 3 historic wine estates – Groot Constantia, Eagles Nest and Beau Constantia.
Sample some of the world’s most sought-after wines, enjoy the natural landscape and greenbelts and of course the magic of Constantia Valley.
- Wesbite: citysightseeing.co.za
- Cost: R309.00 per adult | R145 under age 18
5.Ice cream wine experience
If you love wine to the extent that you wish it could be infused with some of your other favourite treats, Somerbosch has an experience you won’t want to miss.
The Stellenbosch-based wine estate offers a one-of-a-kind ice cream and wine pairing, where three red wines are paired with homemade red wine ice creams!
The wines include Pinotage, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, and boast a perfectly trendy option apt to the young wine estate’s energy. Enjoy the scenery of the Helderberg, have your wine and lick it too.
- Website: somerbosch.co.za
6. Wine caves
Not only is this family-run boutique winery home to some impeccable wines, but it also offers an incredible wine tasting experience thanks to its wine caves.
These cosy tasting havens were once old concrete wine tanks that were knocked open to ensure that wine drinkers have a little something extra to write about when testing out Klein Roosboom’s wine.
Each “cave” has its own theme for an extra unique experience.
- Wesbite: kleinroosboom.co.za
- Cost: R80
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Picture: @winetram
