Small-Group Winelands Day from Cape Town: Lanzerac, Tokara and Franschhoek Wine Tram

Stellenbosch

After hotel pickup, the route runs along the N2 through the Cape Flats to Stellenbosch, with the guide commenting on landmarks on the way. In town there is time to walk. Cape Dutch buildings line the leafy streets, a furrow more than 150 years old runs along the gentle north-eastern slope, and shops sell art, antiques, jewelry and carved wood. A coffee stop fits in before the first tasting.

Lanzerac Wine Estate

Lanzerac is one of the oldest wine estates in Stellenbosch, covering about 200 hectares at the foot of the Jonkershoek Mountains and known for its Cape Dutch buildings. The manor house dates to the 1830s and has provincial heritage status. Pinotage was first bottled here. The tasting pairs 5 premium wines with artisanal chocolates, to show how the wine's texture changes before and after.

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Tokara Wine Estate

From Lanzerac, the road climbs and winds over Helshoogte Pass to Tokara. The estate has a modern look, views as far as Table Mountain and an olive grove that produces some of the area's best olive oil. The tasting has 5 wines, including a rose and a Cabernet Sauvignon matured for two decades, and a wine advisor explains each one. Olive oils or a cheese platter can be added if time allows. An alternative stop replaces Tokara if it is fully booked or closed for private events.

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Franschhoek

The road to Franschhoek passes through the historic town of Pniel. French farmers arrived at the Cape in the 1680s and received land for vineyards, and the town's name means French Corner. Mountains and vineyards surround it. The Leeu estate has art galleries, a hotel and restaurants. There is a lunch break and time for the shops, which include art, jewelry, leather, clothing and chocolate.

Franschhoek Wine Tram

After lunch the group goes to the Franschhoek tram terminals for the second leg. The guide hands out tram tickets and explains the timetable. The tram takes about 8 minutes between farms, and guests can hop off at any farm on the route. Two farms is the maximum by tram, and a third is possible if time allows.

Rickety Bridge Wine Estate

Rickety Bridge is the first female-owned farm in Franschhoek. The tram drops guests at its terminals, and a farm tractor with comfortable seats carries them to the tasting area, where any available tasting can be chosen. Guests can skip the tasting and sit at Paulina's restaurant for a snack, coffee or a glass of wine with views of the mountains and vineyards.

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Franschhoek Cellar

Franschhoek Cellar serves wine with cheese or handmade Belgian chocolate pairings, made down the road in the same town, or a traditional wine-only tasting. It is the farm closest to the tram terminals, so guests can walk back to meet the guide and the group.

Costo extra