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The Winemaker Tours; An Insider's Tour Of The Winelands In South Africa

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    Sun, March 31, 2024 (Departure Date)

Cost: $5930 ($200 off for everyone who books by October 15, 2023!)

"After years in the wine industry, I created this wine tour because it’s the one I would want to go on. A hand-selected group of wine lovers travels to Cape Town to enjoy the beauty of the South African countryside, good food, and wine in luxurious surroundings. A bespoke travel and wine experience that explores areas of the wine world unexplored by most tourists.


Our tours give access to the folks behind the juice, those who passionately work the land, and understand the terroir. At a certain point, if you’ve been to one tasting room, you’ve been to a hundred. But sitting down with the winemakers and asking them why they love the grapes they grow on the land and soil that surrounds them gives guests a deep understanding of these unique wines that are exclusively found here. Our tours offer a one-of-a-kind experience that can’t be found anywhere else." - host, Tania Van Pelt, owner of Hi-Lo Beverage in Denver, CO. 


You will visit wine regions on the Western Cape of South Africa that aren't usually featured on a typical wine tour of South Africa. We'll go to some of the more interesting and stunning areas of the Winelands. This tour includes 10 nights of luxury accommodations, a safari, most meals, wine of course, and all transportation. 


Book by October 15, 2023 & get $200 off your trip!


THE DATES: March 31-April 11, 2024

​THE ITINERARY:


  • 1 night at Kalk Bay 
  • 2 nights Hermanus 
  • 2 nights in Franschhoek 
  • 2 nights in Cape Town 
  • 1 night Robertson (Breede River Valley) 
  • 2 nights all-inclusive on Safari at Nature Reserve 


Air-conditioned motor coach transportation


Meals on tour, including:

  • Breakfast each morning
  • 7 dinners, 8 lunches, all tastings, and sundowners/drinks out
  • All transport except in Cape Town & within the towns of Hermanus & Franschhoek
  • All accommodations
  • Your safari stay includes your meals and two safari excursions per day. Alcohol is not included but is available for purchase.


This tour is limited to 10 participants.

DAY 1: 

You'll land at Cape Town Airport in the late afternoon, after clearing customs and grabbing your bags we go to the charming seaside fishing village of Kalk Bay, close to Cape Town and the airport. We will pick you up at the airport & shuttle you to the coast. We will stay in town at a lovely guesthouse and walk to dinner at a local seafood restaurant that happens to be one of the best seafood restaurants in the Western Cape. Overnight in Kalk Bay 


DAY 2:

Breakfast in Kalk Bay overlooking the sea. Leisurely morning in Kalk Bay followed by a scenic drive to Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven on Earth) to Creation Wines (#4 on the Top Ten Wineries in the World list for Fine Wines) for a 5-star lunch and tasting. We end the day in Hermanus, home of the Southern Right whales. Dinner at Perlemoen in the old harbor.


DAY 3:

Morning in Hermanus, breakfast, and then free time for a beach walk at Grotto Beach, a walk along the cliffs, or a hike along the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Drive to Elgin for a tasting at Iona, and lunch at a farm stall nearby. Return to the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde for a bubbly tasting at Domaine des Deux. Sabrage for those who wish! We end the day next door, back at Creation for a special Harvest dinner with the winemakers & harvest crew.​


DAY 4: 

Breakfast in Hermanus. Drive to Franschhoek, lunch at Le Lude's Orangerie with a Cap Classique tasting, a free evening to explore Franschhoek.


DAY 5: 

Breakfast in Franschhoek, lunch at La Cotte, followed by mid-afternoon tasting with Clayton of Moreson Wines & LOKAIA & Craig of Stony Brook & LOKAIA at Stony Brook. For those who wish we can arrange an afternoon hike along the mountains surrounding Franschhoek. Your evening is free to explore the town and book a dinner at one of the critically acclaimed restaurants. 


DAY 6: 

We depart Franschhoek shortly after breakfast for a drive to Stellenbosch and a visit to Villiera with a tasting and cellar tour. Lunch at a wine farm near Villiera. Next, we go to Cape Town, the Mother City. Check-in at the guesthouse followed by sundowners (evening drinks) on Bree Street at Culture Club Wine and dinner nearby. 


DAY 7: 

Breakfast in Cape Town, a free day to explore, for those who wish we can hike the Pipe Track on Table Mountain. Free day & evening to explore this wonderful city. 


DAY 8: 

Breakfast in Cape Town, leave the city by 10 am for the Breede River Valley. *Lunch and tasting with winemaker Alvi and his wife, master-of-wine, Junel of Alvi’s Drift at their 70,000-plus hectare farm which stretches from the Breede River to the mountains, vineyard tour with Junel. Drive to Robertson, tastings at Bon Courage. Stay overnight in Robertson. Group dinner. 

*This will change depending on what Alvi & Junel have planned. We may have access to a special Braai event.


DAY 9: 

*Safari Time! Breakfast in Robertson, leave by mid-morning for the game and nature reserve. The is all-inclusive, meaning your welcome cocktail in the main lodge is just waiting for you. 


  • 12:30 pm: Arrival and welcome drinks
  • Buffet Lunch
  • 2 pm: Check in to accommodation
  • 4:30 pm – 2-3hr Game Drive
  • 7 pm – Buffet Dinner followed by Stargazing Safari
  • You may substitute one game drive with a complimentary horseback safari.
  • All guests enjoy free spa access to make use of the communal services and facilities - treatments are optional at an additional cost.


*Game and Nature Reserves on the Western Cape are malaria-free. This safari camp offers deluxe accommodations, great food, knowledgeable guides, and excellent service.


DAY 10: 

Your first safari day begins with an early morning wake-up call for the morning game drive. We return to the lodge in the late morning for a big breakfast, followed by free time. Lunch is served shortly after noon. Your afternoon game time takes place just before dinner. Most of the action in the preserve takes place in the morning or late afternoon/early evening. 


DAY 11: 

We’ll depart the lodge shortly after breakfast and have a final game drive if there’s interest in one before we drive to Cape Town airport. You’ll have adequate time after check-in to stop for a bite in the terminal before boarding. 


For more information please email Tania at tania@hilobeverage.com

Tags

  • trip
  • winemaker
  • wine lover
  • exclusive
  • insider
  • South Africa
  • Winelands
  • Cape Winelands
  • safari
  • Western Cape
  • Travel
  • wine tours

Hosted by
Tania Van Pelt, Owner Hi-Lo Beverage

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