Stellenbosch & Franschhoek Wine Tour: Tram ride & tastings

Wine estates, mountain views, and a heritage tram ride through South Africa's oldest wine valleys

You visit three wine estates with tastings and cheese pairings, walk through Stellenbosch's heritage streets with your guide, have lunch in Franschhoek, and ride the Wine Tram to your final tasting at Rickety Bridge. The day ends at Drakenstein prison, where Mandela was held. Hotel pickup and a professional guide are included, and the whole experience runs about 10 hours from Cape Town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine tasting and town visits

• Leave Cape Town towards east
• Drive past Langa township
• Arrive at Zevenwacht wine estate
• Wine and cheese pairing with cellar tour
• Drive to Stellenbosch town
• Explore Stellenbosch on foot
• Drive to Marianne Wine Estate in Franschhoek
• Wine pairing with biltong tasting
• Admire Simon'sberg mountain range
• Lunch in Franschhoek town
• Franschhoek wine Tram ride
• Visit Rickety Bridge winery
• Stop at Drakenstein prison site

The experience

You start in the city and end up in vineyards an hour away, which is the whole point. The drive east from Cape Town takes you past Langa township (the oldest in South Africa, dating back to 1823) before the landscape opens into rolling farmland. Your guide will talk through the history as the urban sprawl fades, and by the time you pull into Zevenwacht wine estate, you've already crossed into a different world. The first stop is an award-winning cellar with a cheese pairing, which sets the tone for the day: unhurried, paired thoughtfully, and built around what grows here.

Stellenbosch comes next, and it's the kind of place that makes you understand why wine regions become towns. The second-oldest colonial settlement in South Africa, it's lined with Cape Dutch architecture that's genuinely old (Dorp Street has the longest row of heritage buildings in the Southern Hemisphere), and oak trees over 300 years old shade the streets. Your guide walks you through on foot for about 40 minutes, pointing out the water furrows and explaining how the region grows chenin blanc, shiraz, pinotage, and méthode cap classique. It's not rushed. You get the feel of the place, not just the photo.

Then comes Franschhoek, an hour's drive through the Simon's Berg mountain range. The name means "French corner" in English, and it's where Huguenot settlers landed in the 17th century: the Huguenot Monument sits at the bottom of the main road. You'll have an hour for lunch here, which matters because this town is genuinely the food and wine heart of the country. After lunch, the Franschhoek Wine Tram ride takes you to Rickety Bridge, a winery with roots going back to 1797. The tram itself is the differentiator. It's not just another tasting. It's a heritage experience that moves through the valley, and the ride is part of what you remember.

The final stop is Drakenstein prison, formerly Victor Verster, where Nelson Mandela spent his last fourteen months of imprisonment before his release in February 1990. He called it a "gilded cage". He had a villa with bedrooms, a pool, a personal chef, and views of the Drakenstein Mountains, not a cell. It's a sobering and necessary part of the day, and it grounds the wine and scenery in the actual history of the place. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't navigate the drive yourself, and the guide handles the timing so everything fits into one full day.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cape Town, professional guide for the full day, wine tastings with cheese pairing at Zevenwacht, biltong tasting with wine at Marianne Wine Estate, the Franschhoek Wine Tram ride to Rickety Bridge, entry to Drakenstein prison, bottled water on board, and fuel surcharge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 20:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Excitement Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?Right for wine lovers who want to skip the logistics of driving between estates and navigating the wine route themselves. The day is full, about 10 hours out, but that's what lets you fit three tastings, two towns, a tram ride, and a historical site into one trip from Cape Town.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

How long is the drive from Cape Town to the first wine estate?

About 45 to 60 minutes, passing through Langa township on the way.

What's included in the wine tastings?

Cheese pairings at Zevenwacht, a biltong tasting with wine at Marianne Wine Estate in Franschhoek, and a tasting at Rickety Bridge after the Wine Tram ride.

Is the Franschhoek Wine Tram ride included?

Yes, it's part of the itinerary and takes you to Rickety Bridge for the final tasting.

How much time do you spend walking in Stellenbosch?

About 40 minutes on foot with your guide, exploring the town and its Cape Dutch architecture.

Is lunch included?

You have an hour for lunch in Franschhoek town, but it's not included in the tour price. You choose where to eat.

What's the age requirement for wine tasting?

Wine tasting is for 18+ only.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation is wheelchair accessible.

How many people are in a typical group?

It's a private tour, so it's just your group.

What should I bring?

Bottled water is provided on board. Bring sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes for Stellenbosch, and a camera for the mountain views.