South African wine tasting: Cape Town is the ideal base

Fondly dubbed the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and is the perfect backdrop to indulge in some South African wine tasting. Cape Town boasts some of South Africa’s favourite attractions and draws increasing numbers of visitors every year.

Enjoy some of South Africa’s most iconic experiences

The city is dominated by the hulking flat topped mountain, Table Mountain, the iconic symbol of this South African city. Take a cable car up to the top on a clear day to enjoy fabulous views of the Mother City and beyond. On cloudy days, the top may be shrouded in low-lying cloud, adding to its mystery. After wandering the plateau and exploring its unique natural habitat, head back to one of the many bars in the city for a spot of wine tasting.

Cape Town’s stunning V&A Waterfront lined with elegant bars and restaurants is the ideal place to sip on one of an elegant cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc from nearby Cape Point or a Chardonnay from Walker Bay. Pinot Noir from Hemel-en-Aarde is also garnering increasing international attention and praise for its fruity finesse. South Africa’s flagship grapes black Pinotage and white Chenin Blanc, here known as Steen, should also feature on your tasting list.

You could take a boat trip from here out to Robben Island, the notorious prison island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for many years. Nature lovers my also like to visit nearby Kirtenbosch National Botanical Gardens to discover its array of spectacular plants. The shade of its trees makes it the perfect place to while away a hot summer day or to sample a glass or two of wine in its cool restaurant.

Take a boat trip to Robben Island, the notorious prison island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for many years. Nature lovers my also like to visit nearby Kirtenbosch National Botanical Gardens to discover its array of spectacular plants.

Western Cape’s well-developed infrastructure

Cape Town and its surroundings boast excellent restaurants, top-class hotels, guesthouses and wellness spas, ensuring you’ll be able to relax and savour your stay in the city.  Golf courses and game lodges can also be found a stone’s throw away. Situated close to many of South Africa’s most prestigious wine regions, following one of their many wine routes is also a marvellous way to uncover the wealth of top-class wines that South Africa now has on offer. If one of your ideal holiday pursuits is wine tasting, Cape Town provides the perfect base.

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Head out into wine country with Wine Paths’ local experts

Many of South Africa’s most exciting wine regions can be found within an hour’s drive of Cape Town and are just waiting for you to discover them. The historic wine-growing area of Constantia is just a 15-minute drive away in the city’s southern suburbs. Famed for its sweet dessert wine Vin de Constance in the 18th and 19th centuries, it’s now better known for its crisp Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux Blends as well as modern sweet wines from Muscat Blanc. Discover the charming small town of Darling. Only an hour from Cape Town, you could be a million miles away as you wander its picturesque streets and sample its flagship Sauvignon Blanc. South Africa’s perhaps most famous historic wine region, Stellenbosch is also within easy reach of Cape Town. Don’t miss visiting this town steeped in history and home to some of the country’s best-known wine estates. Sample its best Cabernet Sauvignon or one of its Bordeaux Blends. Head further north to Paarl where the famous Nederberg Wine Auction is held every year and discover the wide range of wines on offer in this region – rich, robust reds from Shiraz, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon and tropical, fruit-driven whites from Chenin Blanc or Chardonnay.

Contact our Wine Paths' local experts to organize a bespoke, private holiday on the Cape Town wine route.

 

If you're interested in one of our South Africa Wine Tours, please visit this link.

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