“Wine is not wine alone; wine is part of life.”
I’ve chosen the areas on this tour because they’re unique -- everyone goes to Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. We will too, but we’ll also visit Hemel en Aarde, Hermanus, Walker Bay, and Elgin, cool-climate areas on the Western Cape. Each is uniquely, profoundly lovely with complex and exciting wines. You might see Southern Right whales breaching on the coast of Hermanus. You’ll enjoy world-class food at breathtaking vineyards. You will see the sunset over Table Mountain. And lastly, you will stay at a Nature Reserve and spot the Big 5.
I call this the Winemaker Tour because it’s not your average Wine Tour. We’re going slightly off the beaten track, backstage, so to speak, hanging out with our favorite winemakers, enjoying a harvest dinner with the crew from Creation, visiting the home of Alvi & Junel, and with a tasting led by the master of wine, Junel. I call this the Winemaker Tour because the focus is on the winemaker and on you having the experience of your life.
I chose these dates because I love April in South Africa, late summer, very early autumn, the super-hot summer days are behind us, and the warm breezes and cooler evenings are upon us. Everything is still green but there’s a magical bittersweet sense of high season -- when all the tourists crowd the locals out -- coming to a close. It’s just post-harvest so we’ll have the time and attention of our winemakers. I love to visit when the tourist season has come and gone, yet it’s still summery
The price includes most of your meals, including 5-star restaurants at Creation, Le Lude, and in Cape Town, cozy lunches at farm stalls and luxe rustic venues on vineyards, all breakfasts, drinks, and transportation. All accommodations except on Safari are at charming guesthouses. --Tania
