SOUTH AFRICA WINE TOURS
BUCKET LIST
We have two fantastic options for touring South Africa. Either you book a 3-day private tour on your own schedule or you join one of famous group tours hosted by a Master of Wine that lasts 5 days on the set schedules below.
You start in Cape Town, staying at the finest hotel, a bastion of tradition and luxury. You will be greeted by Cathy van Zyl, a local Master of Wine and the leading authority on South Africa’s wines. Then the adventure begins and you set-off on a five-day adventure to some of the most beautiful vineyard landscapes in the world, tasting wines that make you stop dead in your tracks.
Pinots that rival the best made anywhere. Syrahs that make your jaw drop. Chenins that are a thing of beauty. And that’s just the start of it. Sparkling, Chardonnays, Pinotage, sweet wines, the big question is why don’t we see more of these spectacular wines at home? Because they keep them for themselves.
It’s a cultural experience, one that will change you. The people, the energy, the intensity. The day you book your ticket is the day the excitement begins.
I invite you to join us.
JAMES CLUER, MASTER OF WINE
ABOUT THE TOUR & REGION
Your Mission
Striking out for the day from our luxurious sanctuary in Cape Town, you’ll visit the Swartland district, renowned for its Rhone-inspired blends and old vine Chenin Blancs.
You’ll also set out for the famed region of Constantia, home to one of the world’s most historic and rare wines. This cool climate region is also ideal for fine sparkling and aromatic whites.
You taste the elegant Pinots and Chardonnays in Walker Bay and Elgin then the blockbuster rich reds of Stellenbosch.
We explore it all with privileged access to the greatest wineries. We taste from barrel, drink the wines over lunches and dinners at the wineries, and meet the owners and winemakers, if you choose to accept.
Your Mission
Striking out for the day from our luxurious sanctuary in Cape Town, the Belmond Mount Nelson, you’ll visit the revolutionary producers of the Swartland district, renowned for their Rhone-inspired blends and old vine Chenin Blanc.
You’ll also set out for the famed region of Constantia, home to one of the world’s most historic and rare wines. This cool climate region is also ideal for fine sparkling and aromatic whites.
You taste the elegant Pinots and Chardonnays in Walker Bay and then the blockbuster rich reds of Stellenbosch.
We explore it all with privileged access to the greatest wineries. We taste from barrel, drink the wines over lunches and dinners at the wineries, and meet the owners and winemakers, if you choose to accept.
The Pioneers
From our deluxe hotel in Cape Town, we start the tour with visits to the historic and modern pioneers of South African wine.
We begin with a trip north to the present-day pioneers of Swartland who are creating an epicenter for South Africa’s most adventurous winemakers. This start will make you realize that you’re in for a treat, all week.
The next day, we journey back through time to visit the first wineries in the Cape that dating back centuries, and hear stories that leave you dumbfounded.
Our small groups of 20 or less make for intimate visits.
THE ICONS OF WALKER BAY
Be it Hamilton-Russell, Bouchard Finlayson or others, we visit the icons. These are grand estates with spectacular wineries and hospitality to match.
And you’ll rest your head in 5-star comfort, pampered by the gracious style and warmth of the locals.
STELLENBOSCH
Traveling in-land we base ourselves for 2 nights in the heart of the Cape’s winelands.
Syrahs, Bordeaux blends, Pinotage, Chenins and more are tasted at the icons – Ken Forrester, Jordan, Kanonkop, Vergelegen…
STELLENBOSCH
Traveling in-land we base ourselves for 2 nights in the heart of the Cape’s winelands.
Syrahs, Bordeaux blends, Pinotage, Chenins and more are tasted at the icons – Ken Forrester, Jordan, Kanonkop, Vergelegen…
MEET YOUR HOST
Our Luxury Wine Tours in South Africa are guided by Cathy van Zyl MW.
CATHY started her wine journey on a bicycle: she asked her husband to ride SA’s famed Cape Town Cycle Tour with her; he accepted if she attended a wine course with him. She has since notched up more than 21 tours – and passed the prestigious Master of Wine examination in 2005.
Previously chair of the Institute of Masters of Wine’s education committee, she is now a member of its Council. Cathy judges locally and internationally.
She occasionally contributes to wine journals and websites around the world but spends most of her wine-time as associate editor of Platter’s South African Wine Guide.
In 2019, she was named as the Cape Wine Masters’ Personality of the Year for her passionate promotion of South African wine at every conceivable opportunity.
UPCOMING SOUTH AFRICA WINE TOUR
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Included in the price is five nights’ accommodation, all meals during the tour (except on the one free evening) all winery tours, all wines at the visits, local transport for the duration of the tour, and all taxes and gratuities.
Basically everything is included except your flights, your onwards transport after the tour ends, insurance, and any items of a personal nature.
PLANNING TIPS
Before the tour we will send you some useful pre-trip information to help you with your planning. Here you’ll find advice on how to get there, tips on what to wear, other things to do in Cape Town, details on the hotel, and what you might like to read in advance.
WEATHER
We journey to the Southern Hemisphere, and November/December are some of the best times of the year. It’s summertime.
TESTIMONIALS
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