Top 10 Wine Tasting in Franschhoek

A Taste of the Winelands: Your Guide to the 10 Best Wine Tasting Tours in Franschhoek

Raise your glass all ye wine lovers because this guide was especially written with your oenophile heart in mind.

It is safe to assume that you know which wines you love and which ones you absolutely hate. However, you might be surprised to discover some new favourites in this region. There is no better way to do this other than embarking on some of the best wine tours in Franschhoek.

Hugely influenced by the French Huguenot refugees that settled in the 1680s, the region’s wines are some of the best in the world. The abundant and magnificent vineyards are the perfect backdrop for the exciting wine tours that Franschhoek offers.

Knowing how to navigate the Franschhoek wine tours can be a bit daunting.  This is especially true, considering how you might need to sleep one-off after a long day of indulging in its popular offerings.

Related Article: Best Things To Do in Franschhoek

If however, you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, ditch that car of yours and take a look at our list of the experts that can guide you through some of the most wonderful wine tours that you will ever experience.

Whether you’re looking for a budget, luxury or a something-in-between tour what we are certain of is there is a wine tour in Franschhoek that is just right for you.

List of Wine Tasting Tours in Franschhoek

Franschhoek Wine Tram

You cannot say you have done a wine tour in Franschhoek when you have not experienced the Franschhoek Wine Tram. By far the most iconic and well-known wine tour in the region, you will not be disappointed.

The Hop on Hop Off Experience

Perhaps the most popular choice by visitors to Franschhoek Wine Tram is the hop on hop off tour. It allows you to plan your own activities and days. If you have commitment issues, this experience is your saving grace.

You can experience the different activities on offer whether it is a picnic, a walk around the vineyards, a cellar tour or some good old fashioned wine tasting, this tour has got you covered.

And when you are tired, you can simply hop off the train or hop back on again, on the tram or the open-air tram bus.  The train has various colour-coded tram lines that lead to various wine farms around the Franschhoek valley.

This is an experience like no other.

What is included:

• Flexible hours and activities
• Six wine farms
• Experienced guide

Curated Experience

If you like having the experts handle your wine tour then you ought to opt for the curated experience. This leaves you with all the time in the world to enjoy some wine and other activities. Unfortunately, the Curated experience is only available for adults.

An experienced wine guide will take you through a specially selected group of wine estates for tasting, pairing, cellar and vineyard tours. You will also get some inside facts about the manufacturing and cultivating  You will also get to enjoy a three-course lunch at an estate restaurant.

What you will get:

• A guided full-day tour
• A pre-planned, set itinerary
• Explore three world-class wine estates
• Three premium wine tastings
• A food and wine pairing
• A cellar and vineyard tour,
• Three-course lunch

Group Experience

The Group experience is tailor-made for numbers of twenty or more. If you have travelled as a family or a group of friends, this is a great activity for you to unwind and relax in each other’s company. The kids can also be part of the experience, without the wine of course.

It is an easy and affordable way to travel around the Franschhoek Valley and removes the need for you to drive. Your only focus will be on the activities set for you that day, as it should be. The tour is only about five hours, this makes it a hit in our opinion because it leaves you plenty of time to see and experience everything that Franschhoek has on offer.

The tour is divided into two, the first being the Valley Experience. This option allows you to visit the three wine estates in the Groot Drakenstein Valley. The second is the Village Experience where you will get to indulge yourselves at three wine estates that are centrally located within the Franschhoek Village. Both options are great and you can travel via the double-decker tram which is shared by other visitors or the tram-bus which will be exclusively yours for those hours.

What we love about this tour is the flexibility. You are free to plan and schedule your itinerary as a group and add anything you might be interested in. This could be a wine lecturer, a picnic or lunch at any of the three estates. It is all up to you.

What is included:

• Two group options
• Tour duration of 4-5 hours
• Three wine estates
• Lunch or picnic at any of the three estates upon request
• A wine lecture by local guide upon request

Private Tram Experience

This product is yet to be launched but we included it on our list because it epitomizes the elegance that you will find in Franschhoek.

If you are looking for a wine tour that has all the bells and whistles this is it. You will be draped in luxury from the beginning to the end of the tour.

Complimentary coffee will be waiting for you at the Franschhoek Terminal before you embark on your tour. It is meant to cater for a group of 15 people and above, with private use of both the tram and the tram-bus. The day will encompass five exclusive pairings at three wine estates.

It is a full-day tour that is perfect for celebrating private occasions in VIP style

What is included:

• Complimentary coffee
• Five wood and wine pairings
• Private use of tram and tram-bus
• Optional transfer from Capetown at an additional price
• A prearranged itinerary
• A full-day guided tour experience

Cape Winelands Explore

Beat the crowds and indulge in a tailor-made wine tour for you and your family or friends.

This wine tour has it all, chocolate, cheese, wine and food. It is suitable for large groups of friends or families that need a private space to accommodate their numbers without sharing with strangers.

The day starts with a pickup from your hotel or place of accommodation as you head over to the Paarl region for some cheese, olives and wine pairing and the Fairview farm. Yes, the drinking starts early!

Your next destination is, of course, Franschhoek where you’ll stop at the La Motte Wine Estate for some wine tasting and some inside information on their maturation and manufacturing process. You can also pre-book a different wine experience at Boschendal, Haute Cabriere or Dieu Donné depending on availability.

The itinerary is very flexible and you can alter it as you go along. Lunch can be had at any of the many many restaurants in Franschhoek and shop for anything that you may fancy throughout the town.

Your last stop will be at the Muratie wine farm in the Knorhoek Valley. The farm enjoys the prestige of being one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa, dating as far back as 1685. Get a taste of their wines that are paired perfectly with some decadent chocolates. It is a wonderful way to wind down before heading back to your hotel.

What is included:

• English speaking local guide
• Shuttle service
• Pickup and drop-off
• Three wine tasting and pairing experiences
• Private tour experience

Franschhoek Scootours

If you love to get your blood pumping you can opt for this scootour. It is a flawless fusion of unwinding and adventure. This tour is very family-oriented and will give you a chance to explore through the Franschhoek vineyards at your leisure.

The tour lasts for about 2 hours and it is open all year round. You can choose to start at 9.30am 12.00pm or 2.00pm. Moreover, since it is an outdoor activity you will need to bring some closed shoes and a jacket.

The scooters have a minimum age limit of 4 years and a minimum height limit of 1.1m. There is a professional photographer who will accompany you along your tour and for just R250 you can get some mementoes from the trip. A group of more than 9 people needs to prebook.

What is included:

•  Expert tour guide
•  2 freewheel scooter runs
• Water
• Any extra equipment.

Vinebikes/E-bike Wine Tour

Another cool option for you that is run by the same company is the Vinebikes or e-bike tour. You will need to clear your schedule for this half-day tour option, it will be worth your while.

The electric bicycles are a great way to enjoy a cycle through the Franschhoek Village and surrounding vineyards.  They are equipped with leather seats and saddlebags that can store any purchases that you make along the way.

The tour starts at the LA Couronne Wine Farm where an expert local guide will meet you and give you all the necessary information about the tour and the operation of the e-bikes. The tour is spread around two to three wine farms with breaks in between for shopping and pictures.

The tour will end at the Huguenot Memorial where you can expect to receive some interesting facts about the history of the town. What we love about this tour is that you get to explore the vineyards at a leisurely pace without necessarily having to expend a lot of your energy cycling. This is also a plus if you have kids.

The minimum age requirement is 3 years and the minimum height allowed is 1.4m. Maximum weight of 120kg can be accommodated. If bad weather does occur the tour company will give you a refund or a reschedule option depending on your preference.

It is really in our opinion one of the best wine tours in Franschhoek. Fun and unconventional, we highly recommend it.

What is included:

• A tour of two or three wine farms
• E-bike
• Local Guide
• Protective Gear

Easy Rider Group Tour

If you love the finer things in life and you love travelling in style and luxury, this tour is for you.

The Wine Tour Company offers a private guided experience, tailor-made to your individual preference. The certified wine guide will give a very detailed explanation and information on the wine culture in the region. It caters to a minimum of two guests.

This package also includes a personal itinerary that has three wine experiences held at the partner estates.

What is included:

• Three wine experiences
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Luggage transfers
• Certified guide
• Air-conditioned luxury shuttle

Winelands Cycling Tour

For the fit and fabulous this tour is for you. With the majestic Franschhoek mountains surrounding you, the tour begins about 20 to 40 km from Franschhoek and travels all through the valley until you reach your destination.

There, a picnic lunch will be waiting for you at one of the elegant world-class vineyards. The tour starts early at 8.00am and you can expect to be picked up at your hotel or place of accommodation by one of the states of the art vehicles.

The tour company offers free cancellation and full refund up to 24 hours in advance. They have a mobile ticketing option where you can use your phone to show the guide your ticket, this takes away the need for you to dash around town looking for a printer.

What is included:

• Live and DEAT qualified tour guide with cycling experience
• Four language options (English, Dutch, Afrikaans and German)
• Shuttle in state of the art, air-conditioned vehicles
• Cycling gear
• Picnic lunch at a wine estate
• Pickup at hotel
• The fee includes entrance fees
• Wine tasting

Private Wine Tasting Day Tour

If you are holidaying somewhere else besides Franschhoek, you can still enjoy the wine tour experiences in the region. Many tour companies offer that option and this Tokara Wine Estate Tour is just one of them.

The tour begins at your hotel with a pickup from one of the comfortable shuttles they have on offer. It is a full day activity where you will pass through the Cape Winelands. There are four stops at the four different wine farms and you will get to explore and taste all the unique wines with an expert guide.

As you enter Franschhoek you will stop by the Huguenot museum for a brief and fascinating history lesson and continue on to Mont Rochelle for lunch. The tour is wonderful for small groups as it has a very intimate and laid back feel. The theme here is strictly gourmet food and delicious wine. The last leg of the tour will feature a cheese and wine tasting experience at Fairview. Afterwards, the shuttle will take you back to your hotel.

What is included:

• Full day tour of the Cape Winelands
• Wine tasting at four wine farms
• Cheese tasting
• Shuttle with air-conditioning
• Pickup
• Expert local guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Complimentary bottled water and drinks
• Lunch
• Shopping
• Huguenot Museum and Memorial exploration

La Bri Wine Tasting

La Bri wine farm is one of the oldest farms in Franschhoek. It is rich with history and countryside charm.

This tour can either be guided or you can wing it by yourself. It is perfect for small intimate groups and groups of 10 or more need to book before arrival.

A 50% deposit is required if you decide to have a go at it without a tour guide. If you are not that much of a wine lover but you just want to dabble your feet into it a bit, this tour is also perfect for you. It is not overwhelming and will give you a good introduction to the wine-tasting world.

You get to experience three pairing choices, the first being the Wine and Lokum paired tasting; an Eastern Mediterranean treat that consists of plums, roasted nuts, mulberries, mint, apricot and ginger. The second is the wine and chocolate paired tasting, where you can indulge in some carefully selected dark Belgian chocolate that compliments the wines. The last is the biltong and wine tasting experience.

What is included:

•  Three wine pairing choices
•  A one hour tour guide
•  Four tour types
•  Family-friendly tour

Full-Day Shared Wine Tasting Tour

If you are itching for a full day of luxuriating in cheese, art, wine, culture and scenic views then this tour is for you.

Beginning in the Paarl wine region, you will explore the vineyards there and close off the trip with some cheese and wine pairing. Your next stop is the town of Franschhoek where you will be enthralled with the complex and rich history of the region by the local guides. These tales will be accompanied by some cellar tours, wine and chocolate tasting, you are sure to leave Franschhoek feeling relaxed and giddy.

Your next destination will be Stellenbosch where you will stop for a bite to eat at A La Carte. There are numerous stops along the way and you can purchase trinkets and keepsakes to take home.

It is limited to groups of 12 people at a time and it lasts for about nine hours. This tour is perfect for a group of visitors that have refined tastes and love having a good time.

What is included:

• 24-hour free advance cancellation
• Cellar tour
• Four wine and cheese tasting
• Wine and chocolate pairing (when available)
• Shopping
• Only English is spoken
• Expert local tour guide
• Shuttle service
• Pickup and drop off

Sip & Savour the Winelands

Produce always tastes fresher and sweeter when consumed just metres away from where it was made. This is what makes these wine tours extremely exciting. The Sip and Savour the Winelands tour is no different.

The tour includes some of the best wine farms in the region. You will be chauffeured from your residence in a very comfortable shuttle that will take you to the Paarl region for your first tour. The Fairview Estate has some of the best cheese in the country and you will experience a wine and cheese pairing like no other here.

Next stop is the wonderful Babylonstoren Estate in Franschhoek. Picture rustic orchards cascading with ripe fruits, farm animal sounds echoing throughout the farm and an enticing smell of freshly baked goods. That is Babylonstren. The farm is one of the best places to explore in Franschhoek and you will be offered three of their best wines to sample.

Lunch is a personalised affair, your guide will help you choose from any of the many wonderful spots to eat in the Franschhoek valley. After lunch, the tour will continue on to La Bri Wine Estate and then to the last stop of the day, the Hidden Valley Wine Estate.

What is included:

• Four Wine estates
• Exploration of Franschhoek Valley
• Shuttle service
• Pickup and drop-off
• Expert English speaking guide

4×4 Winelands Private Experience

Tour in style with this 4×4 private experience. If you love being in the comfort of a car and having a personalised guide then you should opt for this tour.

It gives you the flexibility to choose where you will spend most of your time and where your shopping stops should be. There are four pre-chosen wineries where you can take a cellar tour and enjoy some wine tasting and pairings. When you need a bite to eat you can choose any restaurant or eatery that you fancy.

Your guide will drive you through the region showing you important landmarks and divulging some history about the town. The tour can take about 8 hours but it all depends on your preference. The great thing is that you can always turn back at any point should you feel like you are done. This is unlike other group tours where you are bound by the activities of the group.

So if you value your time and your privacy this tour will be a memorable experience for you.

What is included:

• A 4×4 shuttle
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Expert local guide
• Cellar tour
• Wine tasting
• Four wine farms to choose from
• Lunch
• Maximum 5 people per group