Cape Winelands: Luxury Wine Tastings, Cheese & Gourmet Lunch

Summary

Stellenbosch to Franschhoek wine estates tastings and local flavors

You’ll taste premium South African wines at top estates in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, enjoy a gourmet lunch paired with local flavors, stroll historic villages with a guide, and share quiet moments at places like the Mandela Monument. Expect laughter over cheese pairings and plenty of time to soak up vineyard views.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s pouring a deep red into my glass before I’ve even finished my first look around Delaire Graff — the light’s all gold on the Banhoek Valley outside. Our guide, Sipho, grins and tells us not to rush. I’m still thinking about the walk through Stellenbosch earlier, those old oak trees and whitewashed buildings. The air smelled faintly of warm bread from some bakery we passed (I nearly followed my nose right out of the group). Anyway, first sip: berries, something earthy, and then everyone’s comparing notes like we’re judges at a secret competition.

Tokara is next — perched up on Helshoogte Pass, which Sipho says means “high hill.” The view’s ridiculous. Someone in our group tries to pronounce it; there’s laughter. The Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and sharp, almost like biting into a green apple. I didn’t expect to care about wine this much, but here we are. Lunch at Delheim comes with slow-roasted lamb for me (the vegetarian risotto looked good too), plus another round of tastings. The staff keep things relaxed — no snobbery, just stories about the family who runs the place and how they pair their wines with food.

Fairview is all about cheese — creamy brie, tangy goat’s milk stuff that I probably ate too much of. There’s a little pause at Drakenstein Prison where Mandela walked free; nobody says much but you feel it. Then Franschhoek: French shutters and little bakeries again, people waving from cafes. My feet are tired but I don’t really want it to end yet. It’s one of those days that feels full without being rushed, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cape Winelands wine tour and tastings

• Pickup from Cape Town hotel
• Walking tour of Stellenbosch town
• Wine tasting at Delaire Graff Estate
• Wine tasting at Tokara Wine Estate
• Gourmet lunch and wine tasting at Delheim
• Wine and cheese tasting at Fairview Estate
• Photo stop at Mandela Monument
• Guided walk in Franschhoek village
• Return to Cape Town accommodation

Top questions

How many wineries do you visit on this Cape Winelands tour?

The tour includes tastings at four estates: Delaire Graff (or Haute Cabrière until Oct 2025), Tokara, Delheim, and Fairview.

Is lunch included in the Cape Winelands luxury wine tour?

Lunch is included if you choose the all-inclusive package; otherwise it’s optional.

Are hotel pickups available from Cape Town?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cape Town are included for all packages.

What types of wines are tasted during the day trip?

You’ll taste reds and whites including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, plus sparkling MCC at Haute Cabrière (until Oct 2025).

Is this wine tour suitable for vegetarians?

Yes—vegetarian options like wild mushroom risotto are available for lunch.

How long does the Cape Winelands day trip last?

The tour runs from about 8:00 am pickup to 6:00 pm return—roughly 10 hours total.

Are children allowed on the luxury wine tour?

Yes—children can join (with reduced pricing) but must be 18+ to participate in wine tastings.

Is transportation wheelchair accessible?

Yes—the vehicle and all venues are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Cape Town in a comfortable minibus with bottled water onboard; guided tastings at four top wine estates; an optional main-course gourmet lunch paired with estate wines; artisan cheese pairings at Fairview; plus free time for village walks before returning in the evening.