A Taste of South Africa
November 9th – 18th, 2012
This trip has been designed for those with a taste for life and a passion for wine. This tour is dedicated to the enjoyment of wine but food lovers and scenery buffs will also enjoy the tour. This adventure to South Africa’s spectacular wine country has been organized by Mark DeWolf, sommelier instructor for the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers and Publications Editor of Occasions Magazine. Mark invites you to join him on this tour which features more than a dozen winery visits, dining at some of South Africa’s best restaurants, a walking tour of Cape Town, whale watching and more.
Tour Cost
$3495/person (land only, based on double occupancy).
Single supplement – 18%.
Tour begins and ends at Cape Town International airport.
Inquiries/Reservations: info@winebytheglass.ca, call 902-488-9959
Includes
- 9 nights’ accommodation
- 9 breakfasts
- 6 lunches
- 9 dinners all transportation, wine tastings as listed in itinerary
Does not include airfare
Itinerary
Friday, Nov 9 - Welcome to South Africa
Welcome to Cape Town, South Africa. Your local guide will greet you at Capetown International Airport. You’ll be transferred to your accomodations in Franschhoek – South Africa’s epicurean capital. There will be time to settle in before we go for a short walk to a nearby restaurant for a relaxing welcome dinner, at Ryan’s Kitchen; a small but celebrated restaurant. Accommodation: Franschhoek Villas
Saturday, Nov 10 - Constantia and transfer to villa
Today, we explore the history of the South African wine industry. We start in the morning with a visit to Klein Constantia; where the first wines in South Africa were produced. The estate was first planted by Governnor Simon van der Stel in the late 17th century. Its wines would go on to gain an enviable reputation in the wine world, particularly for its sweet dessert wine Vin de Constance, which at times ranked with the finest Sauternes and Tokaji as the most exalted dessert wine of the world. Following our morning visit, we’ll head to nearby Buitenverwachting for a picnic lunch and wine tasting.There will be time to walk the grounds of this beautiful estate after lunch before we return to Franschhoek. Get dressed up, tonight we will dine at the celebrated Perneef à La Motte Restaurant’s Chef’s Tables. This restaurant's creativity in offering traditional cuisine inspired by centuries of creativity in cooking – referred to as Cape Winelands Cuisine. Unique food styles and a variety of flavours are served seamlessly together to create a fresh experience. Accommodation: Franschhoek Villas
Sunday, Nov 11 - Capetown
Today we leave the spectacular scenery of South Africa’s wine country for the equally impressive vistas of Capetown – the spectacular seaside city. We’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of the city which will help bring the history and diverse cultural influences of this city to life. After our walking tour, we’ll make our way to Table Mountain. We’ll board a cable car and head to the top where we will have the opportunity to absorb the spectacular views across the city and the ocean below. Accomodation: Franschhoek Villas
Monday, November 12th – Franschhoek
Today, we’re going to stay in the Franschhoek area, visting some of its most prestigious producers. We’ll begin the day by visiting Boschendal winery followed by a visit to Lynx, a boutique winery - in fact the smallest winery in the area. Boschendal has a beautiful position, as it is framed by Simonsberg Mountain. We’ll enjoy a vineyard tour here followed by their world famous Le Pique Nique lunch. We’ll pop in to one more winery before some time to relax at the villa. Before dinner, we’ll taste wines of the area before your host cooks a relaxing meal featuring local ingredients. Accommodation: Franschhoek Villas
Tuesday, November 13th – Paarl
Paarl is known as one of South Africa’s most important wine regions and home to some of its most famous estates. We’ll begin our day with a visit to the incomparable Fairview which is home to more than just wine. Its inhabitants make for a fine lunch or at least a good cheese board; yes Goats do Roam here. After lunch, if time allows, we’ll visit Le Bonheur and Glen Carlou and fin ally KWV’s Cathedral Cellars. We’ll finish off the day with a braai and roll into bed well satisfied (or at least full of food and drink). Accomodation: Franshhoek Villas
Wednesday, November 14th - Robertson
Today we make our way to Robertson, a region renowned for its white wine thanks to the high percentage of limestone in the soil which lends elegance and bright acidity to the wines. We’ll start the day by visiting Bon Cap, where we will also enjoy a light lunch at its informal bistro. Next we’ll check in to the Robertson Small Hotel – a lovely boutique. Most rooms will be located pool side – convenient for a later after noon dip to cool off from the heat of the South African sun. Robertson is a tiny town, so what to do? Let’s go wine tasting. We’ll visit nearby Springfield Estate (known for their stunningly Loire like Sauvignon Blanc and if time allows Graham Beck. Then we’ll relax by the pool before dining at the hotel’s well regarded restaurant. Accomodation: Robertson Small Hotel
Thursday, November 15th – Hermanus
We have a mid-morning departure today. We make the short drive from Robertson to the coastal town of Hermanus. First course of action is to settle in to our hotel. You’ll then have some free time to explore the town. We’ll meet back in the mid-afternoon. We have a 3:00 appointment at Ataraxia winery. Ataraxia’s tasting room, The Wine Lounge is situated on what has been described as “surely one of the most spectacular and dramatic positions in the whole wine world”. Built as a chapel in the vernacular architectural style of the region, it offers a place for relaxed contemplation of the three wines in our range. Later we dine by the coast at The Burgundy where we are sure to enjoy fresh seafood. Accommodation: Francoinhof & Lavender Manor
Friday, November 16th – Whale Watching/Hermanus/Walker Bay Wineries
Let’s go whale watching. The area around Hermanus is famous as one of the best places in the world to see southern right whales. We might also see seals, penguins, marine birds, dolphins, humpback whales or even a Great White. Anyone not wishing to go whale watching might choose to go on a hike as the area is home to a vast range of flora and fauna. If you prefer to go cage swimming in the hopes of seeing the Great White shark in its watery playground, let us know and we’ll inquire about the possibilities. After our experience on the sea, we’ll return to land. We’ll grab a quick lunch at a local café before heading to cult wineries that define cool climate South Africa viticulture. Tonight we’ve earned a well deserved night of relaxation. Weather permitting we’ll grill on the deck of our hotel. Accommodation: Francoinhof & Lavender Manor
Saturday, November 17th
It’s been a full week but let’s end it off with bang. We’ll hit Vergelen for a quick wine tasting and visit to their impressive gift shop in the morning and we’ll lunch and taste wine at Ken Forrester. We’ll then make our way to the town of Stellenbosh. We’ll check into our hotel. You’ll have free time to spend at the pool, walk in the hotel gardens or explore the town. Dinner tonight is at an electic restaurant called Wijnhuis. We’ll arrive a little ahead of schedule for dinner so you can explore a few of the fine shops near the restaurant. Accommodation: Bonne Esperance
Sunday, November 18th - transfer back to Cape Town for departure