I recently took the Franschhoek Culinary Safari and I loved it, I experienced a full day out with some of the highlights being various food & wine pairing experiences, and the most magnificent Cape Town views.
About 40 km to the east of Cape Town, lies a series of valleys known as the Cape Winelands. Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Tulbagh, and Wellington form their backbone. These valleys are the largest winemaking region in the country.
The winelands are one of the places you must definitely visit during your stay in Cape Town (The Ultimate Cape Town Guide: 10 places you must visit in this city in South Africa).
Besides the wineries, Franschhoek also has a historic village where you are able to see souvenir stores, restaurants, ice cream shops and many more places. These was a complete and unique experience, we visited:
- Hillcrest Berry Orchards (morning tea)
- Boschendal Wine Estate (MCC tasting)
- Rickety Bridge Wine Estate (lunch and wine pairing)
- Historic Village of Franschhoek (guided tour)
- The Franschhoek Cellars (beer or wine Pairing)
One of the things I liked the most is that while you discover the winelands, you also experience the scenic beauty and diversity of this wonderful country because you drive from the city center to Franschhoek and back.
You are going to spend a relaxing and fun day tasting wine and its fabulous pairings and at the same time learn about the history of Cape Town.
The Basics
The Tour Guide
Our tour guide was the awesome Neil, he has a lot of experience giving all kinds of tours in Cape Town. He is a true foodie and knows exactly where to go to have great culinary experiences!
Transport
We were moving on a very spacious and comfortable car (not a van as the majority of the tours, because this was more a VIP experience). It was also very convenient because we were able to leave our bags secure there while we went out to see each place.
What’s included on the tour?
- Morning Tea
- Cellar Tour
- Wine Tastings and pairings
- Lunch with beverage
- Qualified guide
- All transport
- Suitable Drinks & Pairings substitutes provided for Non-Drinkers.
*The tour lasted 10 hours. Neil picked me and my friends up from Mojo Hotel (My stay at the trendy Mojo Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa) at 8:00 am and brought me back at 6:00 pm. These were the places we visited.
1. Hillcrest Berry Orchards
En Route to Franschhoek we stopped at Hillcrest Orchards where we enjoyed a morning breakfast experience overlooking the Berry Orchards and Rose Gardens on the edge of Stellenbosch Winelands. We were able to choose between coffee, tea or milkshakes with freash jams and honeys.
Also, in the farm shop you will find a full range of frozen berries, jams, dessert toppings, relishes, jellies, berry vinegars, liqueured berries and gifts.
For more information, visit Hillcrest Berry Orchards official website.
2. Boschendal Wine Estate
We made our way over the Helshoogte Pass through the Historic Town of Pniel before making our second stop of the day at Boschendal Wine Estate. This place was stunning.
First, we had a Cellar Tour and it was very interesting to see all the wine making process.
Then, we had a unique MCC tasting experience paired with chocolate.
Finally, we also saw other parts of this place and tasted biltong.
For more information, visit Boschendal Wine Estate official website.
3. Rickety Bridge Wine Estate
Then we went to Rickety Bridge Wine Estate for our lunch and wine pairing experience overlooking the Franschhoek Vineyards. We had some time to look the beauty of the gardens of this place.
The Place
Full of energy and great atmosphere, this place was relaxing and colorful.
Lunch
The food was amazing, every single part of it was delicious, the wine and the pairings were sublime.
Desert
For desert we had wine paired with small portions of malva pudding, vanilla ice cream and milk tart.
For more information, visit Rickety Bridge Wine Estate official website.
4. Historic Village of Franschhoek
After lunch we drove thought the Historic Village of Franschhoek with guided explanation of Neil. It is such a beautiful and lively town full of souvenir stores, restaurants, ice-creams, art shops, old buildings and cozy atmosphere.
For more information, visit Franschhoek website.
We took a scenic drive over the Franschhoek Mountain Pass, one of the Highest Mountain Peaks in the region with a photo opportunity overlooking the Paarl Winelands from above.
5. The Franschhoek Cellars
This place was perfect to refresh before heading back to Cape Town.
We were able to choose between a Beer or Wine Pairing Experience. I chose cheese and it was paired with Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.
For more information, visit The Franschhoek Cellars official website.
Make a Booking
Besides the Franschhoek Culinary Safari, Feast Africa offers many different culinary experiences you can choose from!
You can choose between:
- Cape Market Shuttles
- Day Tours and Safaris
- Private Day Tours and Safaris
Contact
- Website: feastafrica.com
- Email: bookings@feastafrica.com
- Telephone: +27 21 422 2144
- Trip Advisor: Feast Africa
Let’s get social!
- Facebook: @FeastAfrica
- Instagram: @FeastAfrica
- Twitter: @FeastAfrica
- Pinterest: @FeastAfrica
- Youtube: @FeastAfrica
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored blog post, but all opinions are my own
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Hello
I read this a while ago when it first appeared and didn’t leave a comment. Here goes: As usual, you show a unique talent for entertaining all who read your material. I hope that your reader base expands far beyond your expectations.
I try not to accept excuses, but the fact of the matter is, that sometimes they’re legit.lisa
It’s literally like pouring it from ourselves into another container, so we don’t have to carry it. We’re emptying our brain’s pockets into a drawer, or emptying our brain’s mailbox into a filing cabinet, or some other organizational thing. But writing literally feels like setting it down someplace else. I send a million *hugs.* I just wanted to reach out and hug my computer monitor the whole time I read about your encounter. I feel bad I didn’t read it in real time. I have never been good about setting anything up like an RSS feed – like I know that term and don’t even know what it means, honestly. And of course life has been happening over here too. Anyway, a few friends seem to be reviving the old school journal of yore, and I realize how excited I feel reading these types of long narrative entries. So much more satisfying that the short blog entries that often contain ads that I’d been seeing so much of lately.lisa
Thanks so much, Jean. I am posting every other week now, so I am a much bigger slacker than you. I too try to keep up with social media but it’s a struggle. Good for you for knowing what you can handle and sticking to it.lisa
Lol, you sound like my husband! He has complained about the ROI at this park for years! Every time we go, he makes the comment that it the only park anywhere that you have to spend a lot to get in, to “get the right” to spend even more money for your “entertainment” – shopping & dining.lisa
Lol, you sound like my husband! He has complained about the ROI at this park for years! Every time we go, he makes the comment that it the only park anywhere that you have to spend a lot to get in, to “get the right” to spend even more money for your “entertainment” – shopping & dining.
Thanks so much, Jean. I am posting every other week now, so I am a much bigger slacker than you. I too try to keep up with social media but it’s a struggle. Good for you for knowing what you can handle and sticking to it.
Thanks so much, Jean. I am posting every other week now, so I am a much bigger slacker than you. I too try to keep up with social media but it’s a struggle. Good for you for knowing what you can handle and sticking to it.
Hey!
I wonder why there are not many people who whistle or hum as they work. Is it that everyone is that miserable? I doubt it. I think we’ve become a society full of individuals who have shut out everyone else. Therefore there is no one to hear the whistling or the humming.contractors
I just heard about this location but never come here. Suddenly i reach your post and seeing the cape town photos. I should visit here for tasting wine!
Hi Neil
Dit is baie goed.
Baie sterkte met jou Besigheid.
Ek wens jou alle sukses toe!