CAPE TOWN

CAPE TOWN

CAPE TOWN

SOUTH AFRICA WINE TOURS

A Luxury Wine and Food Safari to the Cape Winelands

BUCKET LIST

It’s far. It’s exotic. There’s no question that a trip to the Cape Winelands, maybe with a safari, is on everyone’s bucket list. And it doesn’t disappoint.

You start in Cape Town, staying at the finest hotel, a bastion of tradition and luxury. You will be greeted by Cathy van Zyl, a local Master of Wine and the leading authority on South Africa’s wines. Then the adventure begins and you set-off on a five-day adventure to some of the most beautiful vineyard landscapes in the world, tasting wines that make you stop dead in your tracks.

Pinots that rival the best made anywhere. Syrahs that make your jaw drop. Chenins that are a thing of beauty. And that’s just the start of it. Sparkling, Chardonnays, Pinotage, sweet wines, the big question is why don’t we see more of these spectacular wines at home? Because they keep them for themselves.

It’s a cultural experience, one that will change you. The people, the energy, the intensity. The day you book your ticket is the day the excitement begins.

I invite you to join us.

JAMES CLUER, MASTER OF WINE

South Africa Tour

NOVEMBER 17th - 22nd 2024


Hosted by Cathy van Zyl MW

$3,995 USD per person

Plus $100 booking administration fee

Download full itineraryBook this Tour

Click here to learn about our registration, payment, and cancellation policies.

ABOUT THE TOUR & REGION

Your Mission

Striking out for the day from our luxurious sanctuary in Cape Town, you’ll visit the Swartland district, renowned for its Rhone-inspired blends and old vine Chenin Blancs.

You’ll also set out for the famed region of Constantia, home to one of the world’s most historic and rare wines. This cool climate region is also ideal for fine sparkling and aromatic whites.

You taste the elegant Pinots and Chardonnays in Walker Bay and Elgin then the blockbuster rich reds of Stellenbosch.

We explore it all with privileged access to the greatest wineries. We taste from barrel, drink the wines over lunches and dinners at the wineries, and meet the owners and winemakers, if you choose to accept.

Your Mission

Striking out for the day from our luxurious sanctuary in Cape Town, the Belmond Mount Nelson, you’ll visit the revolutionary producers of the Swartland district, renowned for their Rhone-inspired blends and old vine Chenin Blanc.

You’ll also set out for the famed region of Constantia, home to one of the world’s most historic and rare wines. This cool climate region is also ideal for fine sparkling and aromatic whites.

You taste the elegant Pinots and Chardonnays in Walker Bay and then the blockbuster rich reds of Stellenbosch.

We explore it all with privileged access to the greatest wineries. We taste from barrel, drink the wines over lunches and dinners at the wineries, and meet the owners and winemakers, if you choose to accept.

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

The Pioneers

From our deluxe hotel in Cape Town, we start the tour with visits to the historic and modern pioneers of South African wine.

We begin with a trip north to the present-day pioneers of Swartland who are creating an epicenter for South Africa’s most adventurous winemakers. This start will make you realize that you’re in for a treat, all week.

The next day, we journey back through time to visit the first wineries in the Cape that dating back centuries, and hear stories that leave you dumbfounded.

Our small groups of 20 or less make for intimate visits.

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICA

Back at the hotel that evening we convene for a dinner with some of the youngest and most talented winemakers in the country.

Their passion, their wines, and their determination make you realize that this country is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Bouchard Finlayson

Bouchard Finlayson

Bouchard Finlayson

Bouchard Finlayson

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

THE ICONS OF WALKER BAY

Be it Hamilton-Russell, Bouchard Finlayson and others, we visit the icons. These are grand estates with spectacular wineries and hospitality to match.

And you’ll rest your head in 5-star comfort, pampered by the gracious style and warmth of the locals.

STELLENBOSCH

Traveling in-land we base ourselves for the 2nd part of the tour in the heart of the Cape’s winelands.

Syrahs, Bordeaux blends, Pinotage, Chenins and more are tasted at the icons – Ken Forrester, Meerlust, Kanonkop, Vergelegen…

Meerlust

Meerlust

Meerlust

Kanonkop

Kanonkop

Vergelegen

Vergelegen

Vergelegen

Vergelegen

STELLENBOSCH

Traveling in-land we base ourselves for the 2nd part of the tour in the heart of the Cape’s winelands.

Syrahs, Bordeaux blends, Pinotage, Chenins and more are tasted at the icons – Ken Forrester, Meerlust, Kanonkop, Vergelegen…

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

BOUCHARD FINLAYSON

BOUCHARD FINLAYSON

KANONKOP

KANONKOP

HAMILTON RUSSELL

HAMILTON RUSSELL

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

BOUCHARD FINLAYSON

KANONKOP

HAMILTON RUSSELL

MEET YOUR HOST

Our Luxury Wine Tours in South Africa are guided by Cathy van Zyl MW and James Cluer MW.

SOUTH AFRICA

CATHY VAN ZYL, MW


Your host in South Africa

MEET CATHY

CATHY started her wine journey on a bicycle: she asked her husband to ride SA’s famed Cape Town Cycle Tour with her; he accepted if she attended a wine course with him. She has since notched up more than 21 tours – and passed the prestigious Master of Wine examination in 2005.

Previously chair of the Institute of Masters of Wine’s education committee, she is now a member of its Council. Cathy judges locally and internationally.

She occasionally contributes to wine journals and websites around the world but spends most of her wine-time as associate editor of Platter’s South African Wine Guide.

In 2019, she was named as the Cape Wine Masters’ Personality of the Year for her passionate promotion of South African wine at every conceivable opportunity.

UPCOMING SOUTH AFRICA WINE TOUR

South Africa Tour

NOVEMBER 17th - 22nd 2024


Hosted by Cathy van Zyl MW

$3,995 USD per person

Plus $100 booking administration fee

Download full itineraryBook this Tour

Click here to learn about our registration, payment, and cancellation policies.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Included in the price is five nights’ accommodation, all meals during the tour (except on the one free evening) all winery tours, all wines at the visits, local transport for the duration of the tour, and all taxes and gratuities.

Basically everything is included except your flights, your onwards transport after the tour ends, insurance, and any items of a personal nature.

PLANNING TIPS

Before the tour we will send you some useful pre-trip information to help you with your planning. Here you’ll find advice on how to get there, tips on what to wear, other things to do in Cape Town, details on the hotel, and what you might like to read in advance.

WEATHER

We journey to the Southern Hemisphere, and November/December are some of the best times of the year. It’s summertime.

TESTIMONIALS

South Africa – Trip of a lifetime!

“My trip to South Africa with Fine Vintage Ltd. Is still one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. I say this because I’m not someone who typically enjoys doing anything in large groups or anything “touristy.” Fine Vintage trips are kept small, on purpose, and the focus on wine and culture is what fellow travelers on these tours seem to have in common.

We enjoyed not only the company of like-minded wine and travel lovers, but every exquisite detail put into planning the trip. The hotels, meals, the wineries, and cultural visits are thoughtfully planned, and the guides are knowledgeable, personable Masters of Wine that round out an already incredible experience.

If you’re going to take one wine tour – anywhere – I’d enthusiastically
recommend Fine Vintage’s.”


VALERIE CARUSO, COLORADO SPRINGS, co

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