Cape Town to Franschhoek wine tour: Three estates and lunch

The underground cellar at Haute Cabrière is carved into the mountainside.

A private wine tour from Cape Town to Franschhoek with luxury transfer, scenic drive and curated tastings at three hand-selected estates: Haute Cabrière, La Motte and Babylonstoren. The day includes a two-course lunch at Haute Cabrière, entry to Babylonstoren's 8-acre gardens, and leisure time to explore the village's boutiques and galleries. Pickup starts at 9am from Cape Town. Return arrives around 6:30pm. Wine tasting vouchers and entry fees are included. Children from age 16 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine tour and scenic Franschhoek visit

• Transfer from Cape Town to Franschhoek
• Scenic drive on Franschhoek Pass
• Wine tasting at Haute Cabrière Estate
• Visit La Motte Wine Estate and tasting
• Leisure time in Franschhoek village
• Visit Babylonstoren Estate and tasting
• Return transfer to Cape Town

The experience

If you're flying into Cape Town and have a free afternoon, or you want to see the Winelands without renting a car, this tour handles the drive and the route. You leave Cape Town at 9am in a private vehicle and head straight into the Franschhoek Pass, where the road climbs through mountain views before dropping into the valley. The itinerary hits three estates in sequence: Haute Cabrière first, where you taste Cap Classique and Chardonnay-Pinot Noir blends in an underground cellar carved into the mountainside; then La Motte, known for its Syrah and Pierneef Collection wines, set in manicured gardens with Cape Dutch architecture; and finally Babylonstoren, a historic farm with an 8-acre garden where everything from herbs to vegetables grows in rows you can walk through.

Lunch is a two-course meal at Haute Cabrière, timed for midday. Between the estate visits, you get an hour in Franschhoek village itself: time to browse the boutiques, galleries and cafes without being rushed. The wine tasting vouchers ($10 per person at each estate) and entry to Babylonstoren are built into the price. You redeem them as you go. The return transfer leaves Babylonstoren at 5pm and gets you back to Cape Town by around 6:30pm.

The vehicle is yours alone for the day, so there's no waiting for other groups and no fixed schedule for how long you spend at each stop. You can linger over a tasting or move through quickly. The driver handles navigation and timing, which means you can focus on the wines and the estates rather than watching the road.

What’s included

• Private door-to-door transfer from Cape Town to Franschhoek and back.
• scenic Franschhoek Pass drive.
• wine tasting vouchers valued at $10 per person at each of the three estates.
• entry to Babylonstoren valued at $10 per person.
• two-course lunch at Haute Cabrière for a minimum of two guests.
• leisure time to explore Franschhoek village.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDepartures at 09:00 and 17:00

AgesAdult (22 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (16 to 19 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Local Lookout

Is this one for you?The full day runs from 9am to around 6:30pm, so it fills most of a day but leaves your morning or evening free. If you want to see three major estates and taste across different wine styles without driving yourself, this itinerary covers it. The private vehicle means no group waits or fixed pacing at each stop, though the route itself is set. You're not choosing which estates to visit or the order you visit them in.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 19 years). Children under 16 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Cape Town to Franschhoek?

The drive to Franschhoek takes roughly an hour each way. The scenic Franschhoek Pass adds time but is part of the route, so the full journey from your Cape Town pickup to the first estate is about ninety minutes.

What wines will I taste at each estate?

Haute Cabrière specializes in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cap Classique sparkling wines under the Pierre Jourdan label. La Motte is known for its award-winning Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. Babylonstoren offers curated tastings from its own vineyard. The specific wines depend on the vintage and what the estate is pouring on the day you visit.

Is the lunch included in the price, or do I pay separately?

The two-course lunch at Haute Cabrière is included when you book for a minimum of two guests. It's served around midday, between your first and second estate visits.

Can I spend more time at one estate and skip another?

The itinerary visits all three estates on a set route, but because the vehicle is private, you can adjust how long you stay at each stop. If you want to linger at Babylonstoren's gardens or spend extra time tasting at La Motte, the driver can work with that. Just let the operator know when you book.

What is there to do in Franschhoek village during the leisure time?

Franschhoek village has boutiques, art galleries and cafes. You'll have about an hour to walk around, shop or grab a coffee. It's a small, walkable place, so you can cover the main streets without rushing.