One day is far too short to spend exploring the Cape Winelands. In fact with so many regions to choose from including the gorgeous historic Constantia Valley, the sprawling Durbanville Hills, majestic Franschhoek or famous Stellenbosch (that’s not even to mention the outlying towns) you really could dedicate an entire week, month or even a lifetime to discovering all that the Cape Winelands has to offer. However, we understand that travellers are often pressed for time and one day is often all you have to drink in all the Winelands have to offer. That is why we have compiled our four top tips for discovering the Cape Winelands in just one day…
1. Stick to a particular area
If you only have one day to visit the Winelands of the Cape, choose an area and stick to it. Constantia and Durbanville are the closest regions to the city and are perfect for time-pressed travellers. With old cape dutch buildings and even a few museums along the way, Constantia appeals to the history lover, while Durbanville’s expansive grounds are great for families who might like to combine some wine tasting with an activity, like horseriding or mountain biking. If you want to escape from the city and enjoy the beauty of the mountains then you have to head out to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the real gems of the Winelands!
2. Book a Winelands tour
If you’ve never been to the Winelands before, the sheer options can be overwhelming. Also, you will want to taste a number of wines so driving yourself isn’t really an option. You can save time and money on taxis by booking an all-inclusive wine tour. A company like Wine Flies will take you to four or five farms, including some that are off-the-beaten-track and combine standard wine tastings with chocolate pairings, secret cellar visits and even lunch! All you need to do is kick back and enjoy the journey!
3. Remember to eat
It goes without saying that you will be tasting a lot of wines during your day out, so be sure to take the time to enjoy a great meal along the way. Book in advance at the best restaurants to make sure you get a table as you don’t want to miss the hearty fare on offer. The Cape Winelands is jam-packed with fantastic, award-winning restaurants so be sure to schedule one in for lunch and another for dinner because at the end of the day you’ll know just which wine to pair with your meal of choice. You can also bulk up your tastings with a variety of cheese, nougat and chocolate pairings so you don’t go hungry along the way.
4. Do something different
While hopping from one farm to another, you may start to get a bit tired of all that wine talk. So be sure to schedule in something different to keep things exciting. You can see the duck parade at Vergenoegd, explore the beautiful gardens of Babylonstoren on a guided tour, marvel at classic cars at the Franschhoek Motor Museum on L’Ormarins Estate, or enjoy a close-up encounter with a rescued eagle or owl at Spier.
Wherever you go and however long you spend, you’ll want to return again and again! Because, wine on earth not?