It’s the ultimate first-world problem… how can you spend a day wine-tasting while driving between wineries? There have basically been two options, pull straws for a designated driver who will spend the day sampling lemonade or pay for a private driver and potentially take a second mortgage to pay for it. As a loud and proud wine buff, it’s always been one of my great travel challenges.
On arrival at Cape Town International, you’ll see a sign welcoming you to the “wine capital of the world”. While many will debate that, there’s no doubt that the western cape winelands lead the world in vineyard tourism (and I’m sorry to say put Australia’s great wine industry to shame). From exceptionally presented wineries to world-class restaurants and boutique, the Cape Winelands offer unmatched experiences for even those who aren’t lovers of wine, and the central hub for it is the picturesque valley town of Franschhoek and its unique Wine Tram.
I first experienced the Wine Tram many years ago on an early trip to South Africa. Since then, it’s grown to offer numerous lines traversing the Franschhoek valley and surrounds. They now operate a large fleet of trams and tram busses, shuttling local and international visitors between an array of major and independent wineries. Running to a schedule that rivals Japan’s Shinkansen trains, guests spend an hour at each winery of their choice (or longer if they want to indulge in lunch at the many in-house restaurants). Hosts will be on hand to greet you on arrival and offer a range of bespoke tastings, including pairings with chocolate, cheese or even pannacotta. Feel like buying a few bottles to take with you? They’ll be collected as you reboard the tram and available for collection at the end of the day.
The day-long experience will set you back a whole $20 (plus tastings) and come the afternoon, you’ll be returned to town to walk back to your accommodation and get ready for dinner at one of Franschhoek’s countless 5-star restaurants. No designated driver worries, no counting drinks, just a day of great fun enjoying amazing wines and some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. With 10 different lines to choose from, it’s hard to find an excuse not to do it again the next day!
Get in touch if I can assist with your trip to Cape Town and the Winelands.
