We approach this best-known wine town via the N1 and the R44, but turn off before reaching Stellenbosch for a visit to the legendary Kaapzicht Estate off the Bottelary Road. Here winemaker Danie Steytler produces a blended red he calls "Vision", winner this year of the prestigious Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London (ie, the best red wine in the world!). His winning blend comprised 40% Pinotage, which is what set it apart from all other Bordeaux style wines worldwide.
We bid Danie farewell, then take a step back in time, with a visit and informal tasting at Muratie Estate. All these wines are four and five-star, and the venerable tasting cellar is an unforgettable experience. On to Stellenbosch for a walk through the old village and the university campus. Lunch is booked at 96 Winery Road, "the wine restaurant for wine makers" in the Helderberg. Here, from the biggest restaurant cellar in the winelands, we select vintages to suit our lunch orders, with expert advice from the hostess. Our final visit is to Waterford Estate, tucked away on the slopes of the Helderberg outside Stellenbosch. Kevin Arnold's fine wines have been very highly rated in Europe, the UK and the USA, and we get to see why with a chocolate-and-wine pairing in the unforgettable stone-built winery. After a walk through the cellar, winery manager Werner Briedehan leads us in a tasting of the full range. We return to Cape Town late in the afternoon. Notes: Our tour price includes all entrance fees to the vineyards, wine tastings, transportation, guide, pick-up and drop-off at their Cape Town hotel, however lunch is to own account 
Supplier Information
Vacation Poll
Also see tour packages in: Africa South Africa Local Culture Food & Wine Email it to a friend: Click here to email this vacation to a friend |
|
||||||||||||||||||
