The Best Wine Tours from Cape Town 

Last Updated on December 17, 2025 by Hannah Stephenson

Looking for the perfect wine tour from Cape Town? I’m here to help! 

Cape Town is world famous for its wine, so it’s no surprise that there’s an abundance of tasting tours to choose from. But with so many on offer, how do you choose the best one for you?

I’ve lived in Cape Town since 2021 and I have tried a TON of wine tours in that time. So whether you’re looking to explore a particular region, want a budget-friendly experience, or are seeking more of a VIP experience, I’ve got you covered. Cheers! 

Quick Answers 

Short on time? → Book this half-day Stellenbosch tour
Serious about wine? → Do this top-rated private tour
Want a novel experience?  → The wine tram is the clear winner
Seeking value for money? → Check out this comprehensive tour

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The Best Wine Tours from Cape Town

Franschhoek Wine Tram Tour from Cape Town (Best Overall)

Start time: 8:15 am 
Duration: 8 hours
Rating: 4.6 stars (check 600+ reviews here)
Inclusions: Wine tram tickets, return transport to Cape Town, shuttles to and from the V&A Waterfront, welcome glass of wine
Free cancellation? Yes
Price: Check price here!

This Franschhoek wine tram is the easiest and most iconic way to explore the Winelands! It’s so much fun, and my personal top pick. Best of all, this full day tour from Cape Town makes it so easy to enjoy the tram because tickets and transport are included. 

I had the best time when I did this tour! We just rocked up at the Waterfront in the morning and spent a glorious, sunny day hopping between wineries. I love the flexibility of the wine tram because you get to choose which estates to visit and how long to stay at each one. You can read my in-depth review of this tour here.

When you book the tour, you’ll be able to choose from a few different wine routes. This does change according to the time of year, but I definitely recommend the Navy line if it’s available. I absolutely fell in love with the wineries on this route, especially the spectacular Bartinney Estate! 

I love this tour because it combines the ease of a guided tour with the freedom and flexibility of a self-guided experience. It’s also excellent value for money, because it’s so much cheaper than hiring a private driver or staying overnight in Franschhoek. And it’s also just so much fun – I recommend it to absolutely everyone who visits Cape Town!

Private Wine Tour of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek (Best for Real Wine Lovers)

Start time: 9 am 
Duration: 8 hours
Rating: 5 stars (check 700+ reviews here)
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, private driver and guide, four wine tastings
Free cancellation? Yes
Price: Check price here!

If you genuinely love wine and want to get more out of the Cape Winelands than the standard group tours, this private wine tour with a wine expert is without a doubt the way to go. 

This experience is completely tailored to you. It’s led by a local expert who really knows their stuff, and takes you to some exceptional estates. If you’ve got somewhere in mind, you can request it, but some of the suggested stops include Simonsig, which is famous for it cap classique and Rainbow’s End, which is considered to be one of South Africa’s most beautiful wine estates. 

This tour is ideal if you want to focus on specific styles, learn more about South African wine, or visit smaller, more scenic estates! You’ll visit four wineries in total and all tastings are included.

And since this is a private tour, it’s very personal. You get to take it at your pace, rather than having to adhere to a rigid schedule. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions and really engage with the wines. If you’re a real wine lover and want the most rewarding, in-depth Cape Winelands experience possible, this tour is hard to beat!

Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch Wine Tour (Best Value)

Start time: 8:30
Duration: 8 hours
Rating: 4.9 stars (check 4,800+ reviews here)
Inclusions: Transport, local guide, three wine tastings, cheese platter, chocolate pairing, cellar tour, sabrage demonstration
Free cancellation? Yes
Price: Check price here!

I love this tour for two reasons!

One, it’s very comprehensive. In just one day, it visits Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl – aka the holy trinity of wine towns!

Two, it’s great value for money. For just R795, it includes all of your wine tastings and transport, plus a cheese platter and chocolate pairing! The only thing we had to buy on the day was lunch, which should cost between R100 – R200. 

I did this tour with my friend, Liam, when he came to visit. He was keen to see as much of the winelands as possible, and this tour really delivered on that front. 

We had such a great day out. We met some really nice people, tried some lovely wine, and also had some free time to wander through the towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. This was a nice way to clear our heads between wine tastings!

I especially loved visiting Simonsig, which was our first stop of the day. This is where we got a cellar tour and sabrage demonstration, before tucking into a cheese platter as we sipped our wine. The wine and chocolate pairing in Paarl was really fun, too. 

I think this is the most affordable way to go wine tasting from Cape Town, and it’s great to see so much of the winelands in just one day. No wonder it hasTHOUSANDS of 5-star reviews! And if you’d like to read my personal in-depth review of the tour, check out this post

Book your spot on this great value wine tour here and thank me later!

Stellenbosch and Franschhoek Small Group Tour (Best All-Inclusive)

Start time: 8 am or 1 pm 
Duration: 5 hours
Rating: 4.7 stars (check 900+ reviews here)
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, two wine tastings, lunch, small group size, cheese and chocolate pairings
Free cancellation? Yes
Price: Check price here!

If you want a tour where absolutely everything is taken care of for you, then this all-inclusive wine tour is such a good option! It takes you to three of the region’s most best known areas, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, and includes tastings, transport, and lunch.

You’ll visit the famous Fairview Estate for a cheese and wine pairing – and to meet their famous goats, of course! Then, it’s onto La Bri Estate for a guided cellar tour and chocolate pairing (yum). La Bri offers incredible views of Franschhoek’s jagged mountains, and it’s also one of the valley’s most historic estates, so it’s definitely a good one to check out. 

Lunch is at the Franschhoek Cellar. I’ve eaten here before and I can confirm that the food is delicious! I also like that you get time to explore Franschhoek and Stellenbosch town centres, both of which are picture-perfect. 

I also think the small group size makes a big difference. With a maximum of 12 people, the experience feels personal rather than tour-bus-style. So if you’re looking for a personal and friendly wine tour where everything is taken care of, I think that this is an excellent choice! After all, there’s a reason it has 900+ glowing reviews!

Stellenbosch Half-Day Tour (Best for Limited Time)

Start time: 8 am or 1 pm 
Duration: 5 hours
Rating: 4.7 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, local driver and guide, two wine tastings, cheese and biltong pairings
Free cancellation? Yes
Price: Check price here!

If you’re short on time, then I highly recommend this half-day tasting tour! It takes you to Stellenbosch, the Western Cape’s most famous wine region, where you’ll visit two beautiful wineries at a leisurely pace. It’s ideal if you don’t want to have to worry about timings, or just can’t cope with visiting 4-5 wineries in one day! 

I can’t tell you exactly which wineries you’ll visit, as this changes daily but regular stops include Fairview, which is famous for its adorable resident goats that roam freely around the estate! Marianne Winery is another frequent stop, and this is a boutique winery so it’s a great place to discover some unique small batch wines.

You’ll also get some free time to explore the town of Stellenbosch itself, which I think is a big bonus. While the wineries are the main draw of the region, I do love wandering around the town and admiring its pretty Cape Dutch architecture. 

Being able to choose between a morning or afternoon is really convenient, too, and the tour also offers free cancellation which allows you to stay flexible. Plus, with hundreds of 5-star reviews, it’s clear that I’m not the only one who thinks this tour is a great choice. 

Thanks so much for reading this blog post! I hope it helped you to decide on a wine tour, and if you need more advice on wine tasting or exploring the region, be sure to check out the following:

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