Top Cape Winelands Tour: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek Wine Tram
A full-day journey through award-winning estates, historic towns, and the scenic Franschhoek Valley.
This Cape Winelands day tour takes you through two of South Africa's most celebrated wine regions in a single, well-paced day, combining tastings, history, and landscape in equal measure.
Departing from Cape Town with hotel pickup, the route moves through Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, stopping at up to four premium wine estates along the way. Each estate offers a distinct character, from classical-music-serenaded vineyards to prestigious hilltop cellars overlooking mountain ranges.
Beyond wine, the tour covers significant cultural landmarks, including the monument of Nelson Mandela at the former Victor Verster Prison and the French Huguenots monument in Franschhoek. A guided town orientation in Stellenbosch adds architectural and academic context to one of South Africa's oldest settlements.
Tour Highlights
Taste award-winning Chardonnay at DeMorgenzon, a vineyard where classical music is played to the vines year-round.
Enjoy a biltong and wine pairing at Marianne Wine Estate, where South African tradition meets French Bordeaux-style winemaking.
Photograph the Nelson Mandela monument at Groot Drakenstein Prison, where he spent the final two years of his 27-year imprisonment.
Ride the iconic Franschhoek Wine Tram through the valley and visit exclusive wineries in South Africa's Food and Wine Capital.
Explore Stellenbosch's historic Dutch-style architecture and the grounds of the world-renowned Stellenbosch University.
Visit Delaire Graff Estate, one of the most prestigious wine properties in the Southern Hemisphere, set between mountain peaks above Stellenbosch.
Stop at Fairview Wine and Cheese Estate in Paarl for a choice of wine ranges and artisan cheese tastings in the estate deli.
Itinerary
Your first stop is DeMorgenzon, situated between 200 and 400 metres above sea level with panoramic views spanning Table Mountain, Cape Point, and Simonsberg. This estate is internationally recognised for its Chardonnay and its unique practice of playing classical music throughout the vineyards.
A guided orientation introduces you to Stellenbosch's Dutch-style buildings and Stellenbosch University, which enrolls over 30,000 students annually. The tour then continues to Marianne Wine Estate for a biltong and wine pairing featuring hand-crafted wines in the French Bordeaux style.
At Fairview you choose from three wine ranges alongside artisan cheese selections in the estate deli. Shortly after, the group stops at Groot Drakenstein Prison for a photograph with the Nelson Mandela monument outside the facility.
Arriving in Franschhoek, the guide shares the history of the French Huguenots before a photo stop at their monument. Optional lunch at your own expense is available in the town before a tasting at Mont Rochelle, producing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards at 250 to 400 metres elevation.
Board the Franschhoek Wine Tram for a scenic ride through the valley, stopping at exclusive wineries accessible only via this iconic route. The tram experience is one of the most distinctive in the South African Winelands.
The final estate visit is Delaire Graff, nestled between mountain peaks overlooking Stellenbosch's vineyards and rated among the most prestigious properties in the Southern Hemisphere. The group then returns to Cape Town for drop-off at your accommodation.
What Is Included and Excluded
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cape Town
- Professional licensed tour guide and driver
- Wine tasting at DeMorgenzon Wine Estate
- Biltong and wine pairing at Marianne Wine Estate
- Wine and cheese tasting at Fairview Estate
- Wine tasting at Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek
- Wine tasting at Delaire Graff Estate
- Franschhoek Wine Tram ride
- Photo stop at Nelson Mandela monument
- Stellenbosch town orientation
Not Included
- Lunch (available at own expense in Franschhoek)
- Personal purchases at estate shops and delis
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Travel insurance
- Additional wine purchases at estates
Important Information
Reserve Your Spot
Places on this tour are limited. Secure your booking in advance to avoid disappointment, particularly during peak travel season in the Cape Winelands.
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