* Spend the day with an expert sommelier.
* Curated journey through two specially selected estates.
* An immersive exploration of vineyards, cellars, and technique.
* A private lunch & wine pairing in a carefully selected space.
* Spectacular landscapes surrounding the winelands.
A personalized and wholly unique wine experience hosted by an exceptionally talented and knowledgeable South African sommelier who is dedicated to the art of wine. You will gain insights into the nuances of terroir, grape varietals, and winemaking traditions that set South African wines apart. It's not just wine tasting; it’s a deep immersion into two specially selected South African vineyards and cellars. An experience crafted for the discerning wine enthusiast and travelers interested in broadening their knowledge of South African viticulture.
We will be taking in much of the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of this corner of the wine world. Each experience is a snap-shot of the industry, providing guests with insights into selected brands, and how they fit into the world of wine.
* Alcohol may impair your ability to restrain your enthusiasm for buying excellent bottles of wine.
* Bring a jacket, as the weather can change quite quickly.
* Closed shoes suitable for walking are required.
* Bring a hat and sunscreen, this is Africa, after all!
* Consider bringing some noise reducing ear plugs, as cellars can be noisy.
* Gratuities for guides, servers or hosts are best paid in cash.
NOTE: Our experiences are highly individualized, if you are interested in exploring a particular varietal or estate, do let us know.
NOTE: Arrangements can be made for the wine you decide to purchase to be shipped to your door via their distributor in your part of the world.
NOTE: Strong perfumes can hinder the experience of smelling the delicate wines for yourself and others.
At about 09:00 am, you will be met by your dedicated sommelier at your accommodation, and chauffeured through the Cape Winelands, with a short stop for coffee & snacks at a quaint spot en route, as you move towards the first specially selected vineyard destination.
You will be met by the wine estate's host, either the winemaker, viticulturist or a senior member of their team, and treated to a personalised walking tour covering the history of their vineyard, the evolution of their processes, and what lead to success within their niche. This culminates in a wine tasting where the specialist sommelier will elaborate on the uniqueness of these wines in contrast to the broader region.
Following this, you will be taken to our second handpicked destination. Here, a senior member of the wine making team, if not the winemaker themselves will welcome you to their vineyard, sharing details about how their winemaking approaches set them apart. Throughout the personalised cellar tour and wine tasting, you will have the unique opportunity to individually experience and enquire about the complexities of the tastings, including details about the estate and the region which would not normally be shared with the public.
This fascinating window into South African wines will culminate in an al fresco light lunch around midday, either in a boutique restaurant or a vineyard picnic.
After a short break you will be chauffeured from the winelands back to your accommodation arriving back in Cape Town at about 17:00.
A very long story short...my wine journey began years ago in a restaurant in Durban piecing together wine shelves and organizing the stock for a little red wine cellar. I soon found out that what I had learned was really only the tip of the iceberg. I started reading, asking and tasting as much as possible. Fast forward, following various wine courses, a Diploma in wine, numerous blind tasting and practical exams and even a couple of blind wine tasting competitions, I finally thought I knew something about wine! Only to then discover how much it is constantly evolving - and that there will always be something new to experience.
More recently, I have discovered the joy of how much more one can learn when sharing in wine and food, which is really what brought me to this point. As we spend so much of our normal lives rushing about, I prefer an unhurried and personalized approach to our tours. I want to share a small deep dive into the selected vines and cellars and how each relate to the industry as a whole, both regionally and internationally. Besides this, I have been working in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, a registered tour guide since 2019, and I work as a sommelier for a restaurant in Cape Town, with a highly respected wine program.
