Stellenbosch & Franschhoek Winelands Day: How to Plan It (and Not Drink and Drive)

The Cape Winelands are under an hour from Cape Town, and they are one of the best days out in South Africa: oak-lined towns, mountain passes, historic Cape Dutch estates and world-class wine. The one thing that spoils it is the drive home. This guide shows you how to plan a relaxed day across Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and how to make sure nobody has to choose between tasting and driving.

Who this day is for

• Wine lovers who want to taste properly, not sip and spit because they are behind the wheel.
• Couples and honeymooners: long lunches, views and no rush.
• Food lovers: Franschhoek in particular has a reputation as a food destination.
• Groups and celebrations: everyone gets to enjoy the day, including the person who would normally drive.

Best time to go

The Winelands are good all year. Harvest season (roughly February to April) is busy and atmospheric. Spring (September to November) brings green vineyards and pleasant temperatures. Summer can be very hot inland, so start early and plan a shaded lunch. Winter is quieter, with fireplaces and red wine, but some days are rainy.

Weekdays are calmer than weekends. Many estates keep shorter hours on Sundays and public holidays, so check each estate's own website for tasting times.

The drinking and driving question

South Africa's legal limit for ordinary drivers is a blood alcohol content of 0.05 g per 100 ml, and 0.02 g per 100 ml for professional drivers. SAPS warns that you can pass the limit after very little alcohol, roughly one beer or a single tot. A standard tasting at three or four estates easily goes past that. Police roadblocks with breathalysers are common on routes in and out of the Winelands, especially on weekends.

The simple answer is that whoever drives doesn't taste, or nobody drives. A private driver solves it for the whole group, and you are not tied to the fixed route and timetable of a group tour.

Sample day itinerary (with approximate drive times)

1. 09:00 Pick-up in Cape Town.
2. approx. 45 to 60 min Drive to Stellenbosch on the N2 and R310. Short walk along Dorp Street and around the historic centre, with its oak trees and Cape Dutch buildings.
3. 10:30 First tasting at an estate on the edge of town.
4. approx. 20 min Over the Helshoogte Pass, one of the prettiest drives in the region, with estates such as Tokara and Delaire Graff on the slopes. Second tasting with a view.
5. approx. 20 min Down through Pniel and past Boschendal into the Franschhoek valley.
6. 13:00 Long lunch in Franschhoek, then a stroll down the main road and a stop at the Huguenot Monument.
7. 15:30 A final tasting, or bubbly: the valley is known for Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wine.
8. approx. 75 min Back to Cape Town, arriving around 18:00.

Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic. Three to four tastings is plenty for one day; more than that and you stop tasting anything.

What to book ahead

• Tastings: many estates now ask you to book, especially for groups and at weekends. Book directly on the estate's website.
• Lunch: the popular restaurants in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch fill up days or weeks ahead in summer. Book lunch first and plan the tastings around it.
• Franschhoek Wine Tram: if you want to ride it, book it online in advance. A private driver can drop you at the start and collect you at the end.
• Cellar tours and pairings (chocolate, cheese, food) often have limited seats.

Local tips

• Don't over-plan. Three estates and a long lunch beats six rushed tastings.
• Eat early and drink water between tastings. Summer heat plus wine makes for a long afternoon.
• Shipping wine home: many estates can arrange courier shipping. Ask at the tasting room rather than squeezing bottles into hand luggage.
• Mix in something different: a gin, brandy or olive tasting is a good change of pace mid-afternoon.
• Combine with your arrival or departure: Stellenbosch is closer to the airport than to the city centre, so a Winelands day can start or end with your flight.

Combine it with

Flying in? See our Cape Town airport transfer guide for going straight from CPT to the Winelands. Planning the whole trip? Our 3 days in Cape Town itinerary shows where a wine day fits best.

Frequently asked questions

Opening hours, fees and road status change. Always check the official site of each attraction before you go. This guide is written by a local private driver service; we are not affiliated with any of the attractions mentioned.