When you are deciding on visiting the Cape Wine lands, there are a few things to factor into your calculations.

Firstly how much time do you have? Some of the wine estates are near to the city, while others are between 40 and a 100km’s from Cape Town city. The N1 and N2 highways traverse through wine lands. The latter takes one towards Stellenbosch, while the other head out towards Franshoek way.

Should your travels take you through Franschoek, you have to try the heavenly delicacies at Huguenot Fine Chocolates.
They can be found at:

Then secondly, do you have any particular wine tasting experience in mind? Many of the tour operators offer different packages and prices depend upon season rates or the number of your party. Having the freedom of a rental car, means you can choose to visit a few different estates in a close radius.

A number of the wine estate houses’ are built in the traditional Cape Dutch fashion. Their austere white paint stands out prominently against the vivid emerald vineyards and lush green lawns. The tour groups are well organised and some farms even have specialist tours for budding cellar-masters and professionals alike. You can expect to taste some of the finest wine-makers wares, in the world, during your tour.

Depending on the type of tour package you have booked, there is sometimes a sit down lunch included. While other farms like those near Durbanville, have sit down restaurants and an off-sales shop for their liquor. These wine farms are about 20 minutes drive from Cape Town city.

• Check out the Durbanville Hills Wine website and their great Facebook page for more information,

  Website:
  durbanvillehills.co.za or
  facebook.com/Durbanville Hills

  or give them a call before you visit, +27 21 558 1300

Stellenbosch is also one of the favourite wine tasting routes. Spier Wine Estate is one the most outstanding wine estates and they have varied and exciting events happening through the year. In summer you can buy a picnic hamper, and have a day in the sun on the lawn areas.

If you prefer something a little more formal, you can sit at the over-stuffed couches under fabric marquees, and sip fine wine.

The Paarl Valley tours leave Cape Town at 09h00 daily. The tour takes about 8hours, lunch is not included. You will get to visit estates in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

The tour guides are very informative and are bilingual in German and English.

• Contact the operators on:
  +27 21 468 7240