I’m always quick to choose a bottle of Chilean Merlot or a Tuscan Chianti, but not often do I ever consider something like a South African Pinotage. After exploring the stunning vineyards in Franschhoek, a South African wine has been firmly placed at the top of my list.
There are two famous wine regions just outside of Cape Town – Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. I was only in Cape Town for a week, so I had to pick between the two but when I heard about the Wine Tram, I just knew I had to visit Franschhoek. The Wine Tram is a hop-on-hop-off concept, with a collection of bus and tram lines that take you from vineyard to vineyard, allowing you to stop at your choices whilst enjoying the most charming mode of transport.
It’s such a fun day out and a unique concept that I was highly looking forward to. There are five different routes to choose from and after extensive research, I decided on the Red Line. We picked four vineyards to enjoy throughout the day and we loved exploring the different wine pairings on offer at each estate. If you’re visiting Cape Town, then you need to take the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
How does the Franschhoek Wine Tram work?
It’s a hop-on-hop-off system with five different routes/tram lines to choose from. The Wine Tram website shares information about each vineyard on each of the lines, so you can find out a bit more about each one and find the line for you. Once you’ve picked your line, make sure to book your tickets online.
On the day you arrive, check in at the entrance to collect your tickets, pick up the route timetable and get directed to your pick up point. There’s parking onsite so you don’t have to worry about finding space if you’re driving in (and have a non-drinking designated driver of course). When you book your slot online, you’ll select whether you’re taking the bus first or the tram first. What does this mean exactly? The vineyards are huge and there are quite a few to choose from, so the actual tram itself only stops at a select few vineyards and the rest of the route is covered by a bus. So, whether you choose to take the bus or tram first will decide which vineyards you visit first.
The line timetables run in either 30 or 60-minute time slots. Before I arrived I was actually quite worried about whether we’d have enough time to do tastings or lunch, but they have an incredible system set up and everything runs like clockwork. I’ll tell you a bit more about timings later on.
Once you’re aboard, you can soak in all the beautiful surroundings and landscapes around you as the tram or bus transports you to your chosen spot. You’ll arrive at your chosen vineyard, choose your tasting or pairing from the menu and simply enjoy! I loved the pairing options as this kept it more interesting than just wine. For example, some vineyards offer wine and brownie pairings, wine and oyster, wine and nougat etc! Just keep an eye on the time and make sure to settle your bill 10-15 minutes before the next pick up is scheduled.
Which Franschhoek Wine Tram route is the best?
This is so dependent on your preference. I honestly spent hours looking at each tram line and checking the gallery of each vineyard and what wine pairings they offered to decide which one would suit me and my sisters the most. My friend had initially recommended the Pink Line, which she had done the year prior, and she loved it! However, I opted for the Red Line, purely because I fell in love with the look of Lynx Estate and knew we’d enjoy wine and brownie pairings and the wine and oyster pairings, plus, it looked like a beautiful spot to enjoy lunch. This is also something to consider – some places may offer just nibbles (like at Paserene) whilst others may offer full dining options (like at Lynx Estate). You’re going to need something substantial to get you through the day, so try and look out for a vineyard that provides food options around lunchtime.
Explore each of the lines, the vineyards and their menus to discover which would be the best fit for you.
How long do you need at each vineyard?
If you’re just doing wine pairings, then a maximum of one hour is perfect. The vineyards are well prepared for the arrival of guests and make their way around the tables to take your orders with efficiency. Some lines (like the Pink Line) run buses every half an hour whilst others (like the Red Line) run every hour, so this is something to consider. Generally, one hour per wine tasting is sufficient without feeling rushed. The tastings generally take place in beautiful surroundings with stunning views, so don’t feel like you have to rush around. Take your time and soak in each one.
Do you need to book the Franschhoek Wine Tram in advance?
Yes, especially in peak seasons. The Wine Tram is incredibly popular, so don’t chance it. Book in advance so you get to enjoy the line and vineyards that you prefer. It’s quite a journey to Franschhoek from Cape Town so guarantee yourself a seat!
Is one day enough for the Franschhoek Wine Tram?
I was only in Cape Town for a week and didn’t get the chance or time to spend the night in Franschhoek. If time permits, I would recommend spending the night and enjoying the town. There are so many delightful restaurants to choose from here, perfect for ending your day of wine tasting. Nearby, Stellenbosch and Paarl have even more vineyards to visit – if you’re not completely wine’d out, you could travel here the next day.
That being said, this was an incredible day trip from Cape Town! We started early, caught our first bus at 10:30 and finished by 17:30. Nothing felt rushed and we felt like we really got to experience the essence of South African wines and hospitality. I couldn’t recommend The Franschhoek Wine Tram enough!
