Cape Town: Stellenbosch & Franschhoek Wine Tour Private

A full day through three wine towns, just your group and a guide who knows which estates fit your palate.

You get picked up from your hotel at 9:30am and spend the day tasting at least 15 wines across Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek estates, with the route tailored to your preferences. Lunch is included, either on a vineyard or paired with a tasting. The guide handles all the driving and timing, and you're back by early evening. No other tourists share the vehicle. It's just your group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine tasting and city tours

• Drive Main Street in Paarl
• See Afrikaans Language Monument
• Tour University of Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens
• Stellenbosch city tour and short walk
• Drive picturesque mountain pass to Franschhoek
• Visit Franschhoek town and viewpoints
• Sample premier wines in Paarl region
• Drive Main Street and visit vineyard for wine tasting

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off at 9:30am, private vehicle shared only with your group (maximum 7 people), driver/guide for the full day, tastings at 15+ premier wine estates across Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, lunch on a vineyard or with a food platter at an estate, city tours of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, drives through mountain passes and scenic valleys, chilled bottled water throughout the day, and live commentary on board. Tasting fees at vineyards and wine purchases are on your own account.

Times

• Every day 09:30

Before you book

Group Private 3 group tours ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Book up to 12h before

Ages Adult (18 to 95 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

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

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Public transport nearby

Operated by I & F Elegant Country Tours CC

Prices and times updated yesterday

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The experience

Hands grip a wine glass at the edge of a vineyard, the valley floor dropping away behind it, and that's your group alone, no other tourists in the vehicle. The private tour means you're not waiting for anyone else to finish a tasting or moving on someone else's schedule. Pickup happens at 9:30am from your Cape Town hotel, and the drive into the Winelands takes you past the Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl, its white columns visible from the road before you even reach the town proper.

Stellenbosch comes first: the oldest town in South Africa, and it shows in the way the streets narrow and the Cape Dutch architecture clusters around the university campus. Your guide starts at the Botanical Gardens and walks you through the avenues where students actually study, then loops back to Main Street for a proper look at the galleries, coffee shops and the kind of places you'd miss driving through. The mountain pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek is the thing people remember: it's not just pretty, it's the reason you taste at least 15 premier wines across award-winning estates in the Paarl region. The guide tailors which vineyards you hit based on what you actually want to drink: everyday wines, superior reserves, even cheese and wine pairings if that's your move. Tasting fees are on your own account, but the flexibility means you're not locked into a fixed route.

Lunch lands either on a vineyard or at an estate where you can sample while eating a food platter: saves time and keeps the day moving without feeling rushed. Franschhoek is the last stop, the town known for food and views, and you'll drive its Main Street with its mix of architectural styles before hitting one more vineyard to taste some of the country's best wines. The whole thing wraps before 5pm, when vineyards close, though the last tasting starts at 4:15pm if you're cutting it close. If you'd rather do more sightseeing than tasting, or if you want both, the guide will rework the route to include extra vineyard stops and drives through the mountains and valleys. Non-drinkers get the same full day. The sightseeing and the towns are the real draw for plenty of people.

You can buy wine at any estate and arrange shipping from there. Credit cards work everywhere. The drive is long enough to hear the guide's commentary on the road, short enough that you're not exhausted by the time you're back at your hotel. It's the kind of day where you show up at 9:30am and someone else handles the route, the timing, and knowing which vineyard is worth the detour.

Top questions

What time does the tour start and end?

Pickup is at 9:30am from your Cape Town hotel. Vineyards close around 5pm, with the last tasting starting at 4:15pm, so you're back by early evening.

How many wines do you taste?

At least 15 premier wines across award-winning estates in the Paarl region, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The guide tailors which vineyards based on your preferences.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is arranged on a vineyard or you can sample wines with a food platter at an estate to save time. The choice is yours.

What if I don't drink wine?

The tour works for non-drinkers. You get the full day of sightseeing through Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and the mountain passes, with the guide tailoring the route to include more town tours and scenic drives if you prefer.

How many people can join?

The tour is private for your group, with a maximum of 7 people. Once booked, no other tourists share the vehicle.

Are tasting fees included?

Tasting fees at the vineyards are on your own account. The tour includes hotel pickup, the guide, and lunch.

Can I buy wine to take home?

Yes. You can buy wine at any estate and arrange shipping from there. Credit cards are accepted at all vineyards.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, private vehicle with driver/guide, live commentary, chilled bottled water, and lunch. Tasting fees and wine purchases are separate.

Are there any days the tour doesn't run?

No tours run on Good Friday, Easter Monday, 25–26 December, or 1 January. Confirm your date when booking.

How do I arrange pickup?

Contact Ivan of I & F Elegant Country Tours through the booking platform to confirm your specific pickup point and time.