Cape Town - Stellenbosch is not only a beautiful place but home to the largest wine route – now divided into five sub-routes – in the country.
There are more than 150 wine farms to visit and I would like to hear from anyone, other than employees of Stellenbosch Wine Routes, who has been to all of them. Seriously, drop me a line; I’d like to pay my respects.
If you’re not familiar with all 150-plus, are visiting from elsewhere, or simply want to expand your wine knowledge by tasting new or different varietals, then where the heck do you even begin? You can wing it with the help of the internet, or by visiting the tourism information office and picking up the very useful map and guide.
Your mind will still be boggling, however. Soliciting the advice of those in the know is your best option. I could give you plenty of tips and recommendations. Today’s is to book yourself a spot on the Vine Hopper tour, in conjunction with Cellar Door Collection Passport.
Cellar Door Collection Passport has been around for a number of years and offers tastings, experiences and discounts worth R400 from 14 South African cellars (almost all of them in the Western Cape) for just R120. While it’s great value for money and well worth having (it makes a great gift too), you don’t have to buy a passport to get on to this tour.
Vine Hopper is part of Adventure Shop, which conducts biking and hiking tours as well as many other guided activities, and runs two hop-on hop-off Stellenbosch wine farm tours, namely the north route and the south route, which cost R240 for a one-day pass, and R420 for two days. The Cellar Door Vine Hopper package comprises three destinations which give an overview of wine in three guises.
It begins with still wines at Bergkelder, followed by bubbles at The House Of JC Le Roux, and concludes with brandies at Van Ryn’s.
It’s a full day excursion, which includes lunch at Le Venue at JC Le Roux, and costs R550. That covers the transport, all the tastings and tours, and the meal, plus you get three discount vouchers which can be redeemed when making purchases of R120 or more. The minibus will pick you up wherever you are staying in Stellies, or from the tourism office.
The Cellar Door Collection three-in-one tour package is available at www.cellardoorcollection.co.za, or call 021 882 8112 to book. For information on the other Vine Hopper routes see www.winehopper.co.za, and see www.adventureshop.co.za for Stellenbosch adventures.
Weekend Argus