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While you can explore the Winelands under your own steam, a guided tour is a great way to sample some of the best wines in the region with an added personal touch. It’ll also mean you have someone who knows the region well to drive you from place to place so you can focus on tasting wines and taking in the verdant views.

We can pair you with local wine expert André Conradie, who’ll take you on a private tour of his favorite wineries and estates, each hand-picked according to your tastes. Along the way, he’ll also give you insights into South Africa’s culture and cuisine, with some home-cooked delicacies to enjoy between tastings.

Private wine tour with André Conradie

Having grown up in Stellenbosch, the so-called capital of the Winelands, André has always been around wine. Since studying viticulture at college, he’s spent decades connecting with the people who grow, harvest, and bottle South Africa’s world-renowned wines. He works alongside other wine experts, including Matthew Kruger and Williem du Plessis, to craft bespoke tours of the region.

No two wine tours are the same — André and his team will shape yours according to what interests you most, whether it’s a certain varietal, a specific production technique, history-steeped vineyards, or a tour that combines wine with the region’s mountainous landscapes.

You’ll have the chance to visit several wineries and estates on the day, and in some cases, the estate owner or winemaker will be on hand to answer any questions you have. Many are personal friends that André has made during a lifetime in the Winelands wine industry.

A true local, André loves to share stories about South Africa’s history, culture, and wildlife as you travel between estates, pointing out local birdlife as you go. He’s also passionate about South African cuisine and often serves up a traditional braai (South African barbeque) for lunch in a quiet spot next to the Eerste River.

André will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel at the start and end of the tour.

Other recommended wine experiences

Audley specialists' top tips for South Africa’s Winelands

Our South Africa team includes specialists who grew up in South Africa, as well as those who’ve studied and worked there. Over the years, they’ve built up a wealth of experience to help craft trips shaped around your passions.

Here, they share a few of their tips so you can make the most of your stay in the Winelands.

Arista's top tips

"Most estates will crate up and ship wine to you in the US, although you may have to pay duty on it when it arrives home. Unless you’re planning to buy at least half a crate, this isn’t an especially cheap way of buying wine, although it does save you carrying heavy bottles in your luggage!”

"Stop in Stellenbosch for lunch. You can walk around the town, see the historic sites, and walk off the wine from the morning, before heading to the next wine estate in the afternoon.”

"It’s best to have a driver-guide while you’re in the Winelands. They can drive you between the various estates so you can enjoy drinking the wine rather than just tasting it."

Charlotte's top tips

"If you’re in Franschhoek on a Saturday, visit the Haute Cabriere Wine Estate, where you'll be able to take part in a detailed tour of the wine-making process and witness the tradition of opening a sparkling bottle of wine with a French cavalry saber.”

"If you’re heading out for a day of wine tasting, have a big breakfast to line your stomach — it's easy to get carried away with so many fantastic wines to sample.”

"If you’re interested in history, take a walking tour of Stellenbosch, where you can visit various houses in the heart of the town that depict different eras."

Kirsty’s top tips

"Take a guided tour. It brings the history of the place alive, and you’ll learn a lot about the different wines, including how they’re produced. You also get a driver who’ll take you to visit some of the lesser-known vineyards.”

"Stay within the Winelands rather than doing a day trip from Cape Town — you get to really immerse yourself in the area. I like Stellenbosch best because it’s a fun and vibrant place.”

"Drive up the Franschhoek Pass for a great photo opportunity.”

"The John Platter South Africa Wine Guide is a very useful reference guide if you’re interested in wines. This guide gives a comprehensive listing of all South African estates and comments on the quality of their wines."