Cape that’s full of hope for wine lovers...
EVERY week our Holiday Hero
NEIL SIMPSON takes an in-depth look at a brilliant holiday idea, doing all the legwork so you don’t have to. This week he explores the glorious winelands around Cape Town and raises a glass to the best deals on offer…
The retro tasting: Climb aboard a restored 1930s double- decker tram and head out across the rolling hills from Franschoek.
Hop on or off at more than 40 vineyards as the guided trams and tram-buses take you to tastings, cellar tours, picnic stops and country restaurants.
The deal: Tickets cost £ 13.50 ( transfers from Cape Town can be arranged from £30). Wine tastings are extra and can start at just £1.50. winetram.co.za
Tastings with food: For tastings followed by a splendid lunch or dinner and stunning views, head to the hills for local favourite Beau Constantia. Eat as you gaze at Stellenbosch mountain or out to sea at False Bay. Splurge on the ‘glass box room’ for a special tasting and a meal with million-dollar views. Alternatively, try Jardine’s Restaurant on the Jordan Estate in Stellenbosch – the 300-year-old winery was lavishly restored in 1982.
Half-hour tastings of three wines start at £1.75, or pay £26 for private tastings and tours. You can stay on the vineyard too – suites with fireplaces cost from £148 a night.
Cape Town residents also rave about tasting tours and ‘ under the oaks’ dining at the Boschendal winery, where a herd of Angus beef cattle graze (and appear on the menu). Vineyard tours cost from £8. The deal: For menus and prices, visit beauconstantia.com, jordan wines.com and boschendal.com.
Tastings with a treat: Pair a local wine with chocolate at the Waterford Estate in Stellenbosch, where a master chocolatier will serve treats alongside award- winning cabernet sauvignons. Guests can also try a three-hour ‘wine safari’ and traverse the estate in a 4x4, stopping to taste different wines along way.
Get your camera ready for the regular parade of 1,200 ducks that waddle around the Vergenoegd vineyard. After a wine tasting, try olive oil, coffee and wine blending. Staff will bottle your creation and print a personal label as you leave.
A cold evening on the Cape? There’s even gluhwein to warm things up. The deal: Chocolate tastings cost £5 and the wine safari is £65 at waterfordestate.co.za. An hour of expert-led wine blending starts at £17 at vergenoegd.co.za.
CLASSY: The Waterford Estate and a Franschoek wine tram, right
Tastings for families: The smart but child- friendly La- Motte vineyard has a hiking t rail , a f arm museum and stages outdoor concerts. Chickens and ducks also roam free. At the Warwick Estate, there is a boules court and picnic pods (with kids’ picnic menus including marshmallows and ice lollies).
The Deal: Tutored wine tastings start at £ 4 at la-motte.com. The kids’ picnic costs £7 or gourmet adult versions for two are £30 at warwickwine.com.
Secret tastings:
The Hidden Valley Wines vineyard isn’t easy to find, but visitors rave about the Overture restaurant run by celebrity chef Bertus Basson and its ‘dream-like’ wine list.
The Deal: A carafe of Hidden Valley wine at dinner starts at £ 4. Get directions and the full menu at bertusbasson.com.