Stellenbosch: Wine Tasting Day Tour & Cellar Visits with Lunch

Summary

Stellenbosch wine estates day trip with cellar tours and local flavors

You’ll sip local wines straight from Stellenbosch cellars, wander gardens between tastings, and share laughs with your guide over lunch and cheese pairings. Each stop feels personal — no rush, just good company and honest flavors. If you want a day that feels as much about people as about wine, this is it.

What’s the experience like?

You know that sound when someone pops a cork and everyone just stops for a second? That’s how our day started in Stellenbosch — a little fizz of anticipation in the air (and maybe some nerves about pronouncing “Rustenberg” right). We met our guide, Pieter, outside the pickup spot; he had this way of making you feel like you’d already known him from somewhere. The morning was cool but not cold, with that earthy smell after last night’s rain still hanging around. First stop was a cellar tour — I didn’t expect to actually feel the chill down there, or how the barrels would smell so much like toasted bread and old wood.

Each winery on this Afrivista wine tour felt different. At Glenelly, we tried a Chenin Blanc that tasted almost like green apples and honey (I’m not great at describing wine but you get the idea). Pieter told us stories about each estate — sometimes veering off into bits of history or gossip about winemakers. I liked that he wasn’t rushing us; we wandered through gardens at Lanzerac where the roses looked too perfect to be real. Lunch was included (thankfully), and it was one of those long tables where strangers start swapping stories after a glass or two. There was cheese too — Remhoogte’s pairing made me rethink what I thought I knew about cheddar.

I think what surprised me most on this day trip from Stellenbosch was how relaxed it all felt. We weren’t herded from place to place; if someone wanted an extra tasting or to take another photo, no one minded. The route changed a bit because one estate was closed (Pieter just shrugged and found another), which somehow made it more personal. By late afternoon the sun came out strong enough to warm your back if you stood still for a minute. I still think about that view over the vineyards — gold light everywhere, quiet except for distant laughter from another group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine tastings and cellar tours

• Pickup in Stellenbosch
• Visit first wine estate
• Cellar tour and tasting
• Visit second wine estate
• Wine tasting and cellar tour
• Visit third wine estate
• Enjoy garden and wine tasting
• Cheese and wine pairing

Top questions

Does this Afrivista wine tour include lunch?

Yes, lunch is included along with tastings and cheese pairing.

Where does the Stellenbosch wine tour start?

The tour includes pickup in Stellenbosch; Cape Town pickup is only by prior arrangement.

How many wineries do we visit on this day trip?

The exact number varies; the route can change based on availability but usually includes several estates.

Are cellar tours part of this experience?

Yes, cellar tours are included except when an estate is closed.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to the starting point in Stellenbosch.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

No, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Can travelers with poor cardiovascular health join?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

Is cheese tasting included in the price?

Yes, cheese tasting is included along with wine tastings and lunch.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Stellenbosch (with Cape Town pickup available by special request), all entry fees at selected wineries, guided cellar tours when open, multiple wine tastings across different estates, a leisurely lunch with local flavors, and a cheese pairing before heading back in the afternoon.