Stellenbosch Wine Tour
Includes Paarl & Franschoek
R1 000pp
Book Now
+27(0)78 281 4057
In the above video you will see a Cooper showing off their unique skill in making a wine barrel. This is a dying trade and we in Stellenbosch Cape Town can witness this great Trade in action. Join our Stellenbosch Wine Tour to see this for yourself.
Stellenbosch Wine Tours
Stellenbosch is the 2nd oldest European settlement in South Africa after Cape Town and was founded in 1679. Its situated along the Eerste River (First River). Became know as the Eikstad in Afrikaans (City of Oaks) due to all the oak trees Simon Van Der Stel planted. Its called Stellenbosch as the city was named after Simon Van Der Stel - Van Der Stel's Bush. The French Hugenots arrived in the 1690's and the 1st grapes were planted in the fertile lands. The Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek is the largest wine region of all the regions. The region produces about 1 000 000 000 litres of wine a year. The region has a Mediterranean climate with Hot summers and cool winters.
Paarl Wine Tour
Paarl name is derived from the Dutch word Parel, which means Pearl. 1st established by the Khoikoi and San people. Paarl is the third oldest European settlement in South Africa. Paarl name comes from the famous granite rock formation known as 'Paarl Rock' or "de Diamondt en de Peerlberg" that shines like a Pearl or Diamond when the suns rays reflects off these magnificent rock formations. in 1657 when Abraham Gabemma was searching for new trade and saw the famous rock formation he referred to the rock as "de Diamondt en de Peerlberg" meaning 'Diamond and Pearl Mountain. Khoikoi people originally called Paarl Mountain the Tortoise Mountain. The Khoikoi were large Cattle Herders and traded with Jan Van Riebeeck from the Dutch East India Company for meat. In 1687 Simon Van Der Stel gave the 1st Titles to the 'Free Burghers'. The French Huguenots arrived in 1688 and settled on farms in the area. They planted Vegetables, Orchards and mainly Vineyards. Paarl was then established as a major wine and fruit producing area in South Africa. The khoikoi people had conflict with the European Settlers as the European Settlers couldn't comprehend the concept of communal land.The Khoisan people and European Settlers battled and the Khoisan were defeated and pushed towards the Orange River or became Laborers on the farms.
Nelson Mandela was also released from Victor Verster Prison, ending his 27 year prison time.
Franschoek
Franschoek in Afrikaans means 'French Corner'. Franschoek is a small town 75km from Cape Town. 176 French Hugenots refugees settled in an area called Olifantshoek (Elephants Corner) in 1688. It was called Elephants Corner as the Elephants would come calf the area. It was the called 'le Coin Français' ("the French Corner") and then later to Franschoek which is the Dutch word for French Corner. The many French Farmers then named their farms from the areas they came from in France like, La Provence, La Dauphine, La Motte, La Cotte, Cabriere and La Terra de Luc that still stands today with the original farm houses that were built. Many of the South African Surnames originate from the French, like Pienaar (Derived from Pinard which means Wine) Joubert, Malherbe, Malan, Du Plessis etc
You may go visit the French Hugenot Museum at the end of the famous town and experiance its heritage from the days when the French settled in the beautiful valley.
A 27km rail line was build in 1904 between Paarl and Franschoek for the alternative to ox drawn wagons to get their produce to market. You can go on this Tram today and visit some of the many wine farms on route that was set up privately since the line was closed in the 1990's. The town has now boomed into a very lucrative area to own property with a great school, great Wine, top 50 restaurants in the world to enjoy and more. Franschoek is described now as the Food and Wine Capital of South Africa.
Tour Overview
Cost - R1 000pp
Children Under 12 - R475pc
Daily Trip Times
Depart - 8am / 9am
Return - 5:30pm
Pick up and Drop off from your Hotel, B&B or Guest House in the Cape Town and Hermanus area
Places you will See
Stellenbosch
Town Orientation
Dorp Street
Stellenbosch Museum
Wine Tasting
Brandy Cellar Tour
Cooper Demonstration
Paarl
Drive to paarl
Cheese and Wine Tasting
View Victor Verster Prison
Franschoek
Franschoek Hugenot Museum
Wine Tasting
Tram Ride
Included:
- 3 Wine Tastings
Not included:
- Lunch
- Optional Visit Fees
GENERAL INFORMATION & TOUR CONDITION
- General information and conditions of tour prices, routes, , destinations, hotels, places of interest and restaurants are subject to availability and to change
- Tour Departures and arrivals are approximate
- French, Spanish, German as well as other foreign language guides are available on request
- Our vehicles are insured extensively with passenger liability
- All Tours are subject to a Minimum Number of passengers
- Personal Possessions and Luggage are carried at your own risk
- Please Ensure That your Valuables and Travel Documents are kept safe at all times
For bigger groups please contact us for a quote
