The adventure will cost you R200 per person and includes either a free wine tasting or discount on wine purchase at the different farms. I will tell you more about that when I tell you about the specific wine farms we visited.
The tour starts at the ticket office in the town centre (across from the Pick & Pay). You hop on a bus which will transport you to your first wine farm. The blue line starts at 10:00 and the red line at 10:15.
Transport is provided by either a wine bus or wine tram depending on which farms you are traveling in between. Let's be honest, wine tasting on a bus or tram is so much better than riding in a car :) You have a minimum of about a hour at each farm before the tram or bus comes to take you to your next stop. If you are having too much of a good time at a particular farm then just wait for the next one. They were punctual every single time and I mean that to the minute, except at our last stop, but that was okay as we were finished with the tour.
There's a blue and a red line that can be enjoyed. We chose the blue line as it was the one with the majority wine farms that were unknown to us.
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| Buy your tickets here! |
On the blue line the farms are the following...
Mont Rochelle
We started at Mont Rochelle which was recently purchased and revamped by Sir Richard Branson. Mont Rochelle really was a pleasant surprise. It has a fresh and sleek white look with lovely seating outside. They also have a great restaurant, The Country Kitchen, that serves relaxed lunches that are mediterranean inspired which I definitely want to try out in the future.
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| Beautiful view |
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| Inside the restaurant |
Here nothing is included in your wine tram ticket. Wine tasting will cost your R20 if you want to taste their two white wines and their rose or R20 for their 4 red wines.
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| First wine of the day! |
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| You can taste inside or outside |
We opted for the 'white' tasting as it was early in the tasting experience :) We tasted their Sauvignon Blanc reserve 2013(R65), barrel fermented Chardonnay 2011(R85) and Rose 2011(R40).
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| It was such a nice day so we enjoyed our wine and the view outside |
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| Dining spot outside |
My favourite was the Chardonnay as I loved its distinct lime and butterscotch flavour.
The bus arrived just in time so we rushed to purchase a few bottles and jumped on to head to the next one!
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| Our ride for the day |
La Couronne
This wine farm was unfortunately closed due to an event that was hosted there. This is one of the wine farms where you receive a complimentary wine tasting.
Holden Manz
Our next stop dropped us off between the vineyards of Holden Manz. Here you can also sit and relax in the sun while you enjoy a complimentary wine tasting. Our wine tasting host was very entertaining and treated us with an extra 'wine'!
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| Holden Manz situated in between the vineyards |
At Holden Manz you can also pair your wine with a cheese and chacuterie platter or dine and their restaurant "Franschoek Kitchen" which is beautifully decorated with an exceptional view over the vineyards.
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| Outside tasting area |
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| Lovely couches to chill one |
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| The restaurant is situated on the top level |
The wines we tasted were the Rose 2014(R60), Vernissage 2012 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot-R60) and Shiraz 2010(R95). I loved the red blend Vernissage but the winner of the day was the extra treat we received. The Good Sport Cape Vintage 2010 (R195) was loved by everyone. It is the perfect night cap where you will be treated to flavours such as vanilla, coconut and raisins.
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| The Vernissage |
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| I agree that wine saves lives :) |
The wine bus was on time again and we ventured to the next stop. If you purchase wine you can leave it on the bus and collect it at the ticket office after your wine tramming. How convenient is that!
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| Happy tasters! |
La Bourgogne
At La Bourgogne you sit and relax on the outstretched lawn shadowed by large trees. You can combine your wine tasting with a olive and olive oil tasting(R20). You can also enjoy a picnic here! You are allowed to bring your own picnic stuff!
This was another spot where your wine tasting is included in your wine tram ticket. We tasted their Rose(R60), unwooded Chardonnay (R55) and Semillon(R120). Here I enjoyed the Semillon the most. I had a quick chat with the lovely owners of La Bourgogne as well as their St Bernard! They were very welcoming and I will definitely return to do the olive oil tasting! La Bourgogne also offers affordable accommodation if you ever plan to do a weekend away to Franschoek.
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| Beautiful lawn to relax on |
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| Our lovely wine tasting host |
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| The wine 'experts' |
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| La Bourgogne |
La Bri
We also did not experience this wine-farm as they are closed on Sundays. So I would suggest that if you want to utilise every wine farm on the blue line visiting on a Saturday would be the most ideal time!
Rickety Bridge
To travel to Rickety Bridge you will eventually climb onto the wine tram! The wine tram is modelled after the open sided bill trams of 1890.
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| We were very excited to climb onto the wine tram |
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| Enjoying the ride |
We arrived at Rickety Bridge very hungry! Luckily a table was available for our large group at their restaurant Paulina's! Everyone feasted on different type of burgers. There was a bobotie, ostrich, chicken and beef burger available served with salad or fries. The burgers are +-R90 which would be considered pricey but they really were delicious. The patties were of exceptional quality, the bun was home-made and fluffy and the fries crisp. It really was a burger that was above standard and I would easily order it again!
We paired our burgers with Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc(R85). I really enjoyed the wine and it actually had more fruity notes than expected. If you want to do lunch while you are 'tramming' then Paulina's is definitely a spot to consider. Service was spot on and our food arrived very quickly.
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| Very hungry tasters |
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| Bobotie Burger topped with an egg |
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| Plain beef burger |
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| Ostrich burger |
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| From the tram station you travel on this bad boy to get you to Rickety Bridge |
As our time became limited and the day was almost over we quickly popped into the tasting venue and in record time (5 minutes) we worked our way through a few wines. I left with a bottle of their Rose. Here wine tasting is offered to you at R10pp for five wines. The fee is wavered if you purchase a bottle of wine!
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| Tasting room entrance |
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| Lovely glass of Sauvignon Blanc |
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| Inside the tasting room |
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| Mmm what wine to buy... |
Grande Provence
Grande Provence is the last stop on the blue line. Here your tram ticket will give you a complimentary glass of wine with dinner. We were unfortunately exhausted and on the quest for ice-cream so we did not visit them.
The red line covers the following farms...
... and I will organise a follow-up trip for the red line ASAP as it's just TOO MUCH FUN!
Visiting the Franschoek Wine Tram really is a 100% guaranteed enjoyable activity. I was exposed to wines farms and restaurants I was not aware of at all. It also equips you to visit a lot of places in a small amount of time. My 'to do list' for next year now is very extensive. All the wine farms are informed and equipped to host the customers of the wine tram and as I have mentioned the whole transport system literally works like a well oiled machine.
My tips...
- Eat a big breakfast. You're going to need a good lining :)
- Go as a big group and buy your tickets online to ensure that you all travel together
- Go on the earliest tram or bus that is scheduled for the blue or red line as you want to do and experience as much as possible
- Book a lunch spot at one of the restaurants
- Pack in some snacks for the road
- Have fun and do all the tastings!
- Buy a bottle of wine that really impressed you so that you can reminisce of the fabulous day you had at your next braai!
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| The golden ticket |
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Contact them at info@winetram.co.za or 021 300 0338
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