Become a wine expert in South Africa’s wine regions

At 850 kilometres, Route 62 in South Africa is considered to be the longest wine route in the world, cruising through the historic inlands between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to connect the country’s east and west coasts. A postcard-perfect journey, this route should be on every bucket list with its adventurous, dramatic landscapes, friendly towns and endless wineries.

Although the wine route can be done in just two days, we’d recommend spending anywhere between five and ten days on this marvellous journey. Hire a car and drive leisurely from stop to stop, taking in a few extra experiences at scenic towns such as Paarl, Worcester, Montagu, Calitzburg and Oudtshoorn.

CAPE TOWN

Cape Town is a modern, cosmopolitan city surrounded by nature. Centred around Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Wonders of the world, the Mother City is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning biodiversity, award-winning food and wine, and sheer variety of experiences on offer.

Cape Town’s Central City is vibrant and home to a diverse population, and a huge variety of truly unique food, art, and music. Restaurants, eateries, coffee shops and a vibey nightlife are just some of the things that come to mind when thinking about Cape Town’s ‘City Bowl’. Long Street is the perfect place to start exploring, with its vibrant nightlife and array of shops, restaurants and bars, while the famous Greenmarket Square is where you can buy everything from spices to souvenirs – there’s always something going on.

Thanks to First Thursdays, it’s also become a hub for the city’s creative scene. Every first Thursday of the month, galleries and museums stay open late, and there are often free art exhibitions and performances to enjoy. Head to Woodstock to see Cape Town’s trendy art district, or the Gardens, where you can enjoy a picnic in the park.

City Hall is popularly known as the place former South African President, Nelson Mandela gave a speech from, a couple of hours after his release from prison on 11 February 1990. Visitors will see a statue of the great Nobel Peace Prize winner on the balcony from where he addressed his people.

FRANSCHOECK

Franschhoek is the food and wine capital of South Africa and is one of the oldest and prettiest towns in South Africa, famous for its vineyards and world-class restaurants. There is so much to do in this beautiful spot, from hiking around the vineyards, to horse riding or biking… not to mention the wine tasting!

Set in secluded gardens in the heart of Franschhoek, Leeu House is a family-friendly 12-room boutique hotel that benefits from full access to the world-class facilities of Leeu Estates. The furniture is classic with a neutral palette and artworks personally selected by the owner in every room. There is a garden and a large pool with its own bar and terrace with views of mountain peaks. Guests can also use the facilities of the Leeu Estate, including the spa with steam room, pool and treatment rooms and enjoy fine dining at The Dining Room.

Acclaimed executive chef Oliver Cattermole presents the same superb dining at The Conservatory at Leeu House as he does at the Leeu Estates. It is small and open to guests only. Breakfast is generous and bespoke, including dishes such as eggs Benedict and brioche French toast as well as fresh juices and bread from the bakery. Lunch and dinner are also excellent, though slightly simpler fare than Leeu Estate. There are also plenty of excellent eating and drinking alternatives.

PAARL

Continue on to Paarl, the third oldest settlement in South Africa, steeped in history and culture. The Paarl Wine Route, which is the second oldest in the country, is known for its full-bodied spicy reds and crisp whites. Shiraz is the most important varietal from the area, but Paarl wineries also produce remarkable chenin blanc, chardonnay, pinotage, viognier and mourvedre.

Be sure to check out Under Oaks, Nederburg Wines, KWV Wine Emporium, Fairview, Black Pearl Wines, Boland Kelder, Ridgeback Wine Farm and Rhebokskloof Wine Estate. Stop for a lazy lunch at the Grande Roche Hotel or at Harvest at the Laborie Wine Estate.

STELLENBOSCH

Stellenbosch is a university town in South Africa’s Western Cape province that is surrounded by the vineyards of the Cape Winelands and the mountainous nature reserves of Jonkershoek and Simonsberg. Join a half-day wine tour of Stellenbosch or explore the town for yourself. The town’s oak-shaded streets are lined with cafes, boutiques and art galleries. Cape Dutch architecture gives a sense of South Africa’s Dutch colonial history, as do the Village Museum’s period houses and gardens.

There’s even a hop-on hop-off wine tram experience here! This combination of tram and bus transports passengers around a loop of stops allowing you to hop off and experience activities like wine tastings, cellar tours, lunch or simply a stroll through the vineyards. Franschhoek Wine Tram offers ten Hop-on Hop-off lines, each colour-coded to make it easy to follow. The tour takes passengers right into the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, with a narration focusing on the history of Franschhoek and wine cultivation in the valley and unparalleled views over the vineyards.

Designed for true wine lovers and foodies, the Curated Wine Experience is a real treat for the senses! A knowledgeable wine ambassador accompanies you to a selection of wine estates for premium tastings and pairings, a cellar and vineyard tour, and a specially curated three-course lunch. Discover your love for food and wine in a new light.

OUDTSHOORN

Oudtshoorn, a town in the Klein Karoo area of South Africa’s Western Cape, is known as the ostrich capital of the world and rests along the Route 62 wine route. The central C.P. Nel Museum traces the ostrich-feather boom era and houses a working synagogue, while the nearby Cango Wildlife Ranch is a conservation park offering animal petting. To the north, the Cango Caves are a 20-million-year-old network of limestone chambers.

A warm welcome awaits at La Plume, where the staff are on hand to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The guesthouse is homely, furnished with a collection of antiques, comfortable seating in rich fabrics and plush rugs over polished, tiled floors.

There’s plenty of space to relax, as well as a variety of activities to participate in, including nature walks and birdwatching. A swimming pool lies in the spacious garden, and in the summer you can relax on the veranda, where you can take in views of the Swartberg Mountains over the Olifant River Valley. Be sure to ask about the morning farm tour, where you’ll learn about the history and way of life on this family-run working farm.

If you want, you can continue on to South Africa’s Garden Route, starting with Plettenberg Bay and traversing back towards Cape Town with stops at Hermanus and Bantry Bay for a few days of beach relaxation.