A Little Bit Tipsy in South Africa. Wine Pairing and Wine Tasting.

Wine pairing and wine tasting cannot be done at any other time of day, but during your wine tour in South Africa, you can enjoy some wine in the morning, midday or afternoon.

This holiday, Cape Destination Discoveries offers a travelling experience that blends world-class flavours, rich culture, and natural beauty in South Africa.

The History of Cape Town Wine.

Jan van Riebeeck, a Dutch commander, was the first to produce Cape wine in 1652. The thriving wine industry in Cape Town was established due to the demand for wine supplies for ships passing along the long route between Europe and the East Indies.

Simon van der Stel succeeded Jan van Riebeeck in 1679, who had great knowledge in winemaking and viticulture. Sam planted a vineyard in Constantia and produced amazing wine, but later his Constantia land was acquired by Cloete, who produced world-famous wines.

Stellenbosch Wine.

Stellenbosch is among the oldest wine regions in South Africa. It’s known for its flourishing wine centres, education centres and research centres. It’s 50km east of Cape Town and the home of some of the oldest wines, such as Kanonkop, Rust en Vrede, and Meerlust.

Stellenbosch was the first region to promote wine tourism, opening doors to a formal wine route for visitors to visit the winelands.

At Stellenbosch today, you will experience unique and diverse South African wine culture. The region has over 150 wineries, each offering its unique blend of wine heritage.

Enjoy sipping wines, admiring beautiful mountain terrains, and well-drained soils that surround the region. To get a deeper understanding of South African wine heritage, book with Cape Destination Discoveries for an amazing experience.

Some of the luxurious wine farms include: Wtreford, Lanzerac, Delaire Graff and Backsberg.

Franschhoek.

Franchhoek is a French-influenced area, located east of Stellenbosch. The region is surrounded by majestic mountains, and it’s mostly known as the food and wine capital of South Africa.

Franschhoek has over 50 wine farms, from boutique wineries to historic estates such as Lamotte, Babylonstoren, Rickety Bridge, Boschendal and Haute Cabriere.

In this region, you will enjoy five-course menus, tapas-style tastings and French-inspired pairings. Some of the best wine pairings you will get include:

• Charcuterie boards with sparkling wine 
• Chocolate and wine pairings.
• Cheese and wine pairings.

While exploring the wine estates, don’t miss dining with a vineyard view in some of the award-winning restaurants that offer curated wine pairings. Enjoy a glass of wine in restaurants such as Reuben’s, La Petite Colombe and Le Coin Français.

Explore the multiple estates in a day with the Franschhoek Wine Tram. At each stop, you will enjoy tasting, pairing and cellar tours.

Boschendal wine estate. 

Boschendal wine estate is the best place to tour with a group of family or friends. It’s a family spot where you can enjoy fun activities such as horse riding, cycling, wine workshops and movie nights.

Your kids are not left behind; they will enjoy the educational treehouse centre and kids vacation clubs. The wine estate helps you and your partner enjoy wine tasting without distraction from your kids.

Constantia Wine Route.

Constantia is the home to Vin de Constance and grand constants. These wine route wines graced the tables of Jane Austen’s dinner parties, King Louis Philippe and Napoleon Bonaparte.

Constantia is the best place for you if you want to combine city sightseeing with a quick countryside escape. You will enjoy a romantic wine afternoon watching the rolling vineyards backed by Table Mountain, lush greenery and breathtaking pecan breezes.

At Constantia, you will enjoy award-winning wines such as Vin de Constance, elegant Bordeaux Reds, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon blends and exceptional Sauvignon Blanc.

At Cape Destination Discovery, we offer private cellar tours, vineyard walks, guided tastings and go further to booking a picnic basket with a chilled bottle for you.

What are you waiting for? Come and enjoy a luxurious sip at a time, discover new flavours and South African heritage.

Paarl Wine Route.

At Paarl wines, you will experience wine pairing with cheese, chocolate and biltong .Biltong is South Africa’s famous cured meat.

Tips for First-Time Wine Travellers.

If it’s your first time as a wine traveller, you need to:

• Book earlier since South African vineyards get busy during peak seasons.
• Ask questions to get a deeper understanding of different types of wines.
• Drink water between tastings
• Buy the wines you love; international shipping is readily available.
• No need to taste all the wines, taste the best wines. 

Adventure More than Wine Tasting.

If this is your first time in South Africa, pair your tasting tour with hiking Table Mountain, enjoying colourful Cape Town neighbourhoods, spotting the big five on safari and relaxing on the Garden Route’s pristine beaches.

Why Book With Cape Destination Discoveries?

It’s so hard to plan a wine adventure on your own because there are many routes, estates and regions to choose from. 

Cape Destination Discoveries specialises in curated wine tours based on your preferences and schedule. If you want a romantic getaway, group tour, private vacation or any other wine tasting experience, we are ready to help.

Why should you book a wine tour with us?

• We offer custom itineraries whereby you choose your pace and focus that is premium reds, wine estates and food pairings.
• You get unique experiences such as exclusive wine cellars, private tastings and behind-the-scenes vineyards.
• We handle all your logistics from bookings to tastings to transfers.
• You get a tour guide who is deeply knowledgeable, passionate and connected to the region.

Call To Action.

Are you ready to swip, swirl and explore? Book your wine tasting adventure with Cape Destination Discoveries and enjoy a journey you will never forget.