Within easy driving distance of Cape Town, the valleys of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek have become known as the 'Winelands' thanks to their superb growing conditions for European vines. Find out why a visit here is a great idea.
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South Africa
Wine cellar
One of the best ways to make the most of your time in the Winelands is to take a guided tour with an expert who will introduce you to the delights of this area and guide you through the best places to visit to suit your tastes and interests.
We can organise tours with wine expert and born raconteur Pietman Retief who will not only be able to share his knowledge and expertise of the estates and wines but also introduce you to some of this fascinating history.
Pietman was born in the Winelands town of Wellington and educated at the University of Stellenbosch: he has spent his whole life in the area and for 35 years has worked in the South African wine and brandy industries.
Pietman was recently named one of the forty Living Legends of the wine industry at an event celebrating 350 years of winemaking in South Africa. South Africa is unique in being able to identify the arrival of its first vines and the very day that the first wine was pressed: 2nd February 1659 as recorded in the diary of Jan van Riebeek of the Dutch East India Company with the words "Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes."
Pietman’s One Day wine tours are designed individually so that no tours are the same. They give each client an insight into the world of winemaking. In most cases the estate owner or winemaker will be on hand to answer questions and make the visit that little bit special and most are personal friends of Pietman made during a lifetime in the Winelands wine industry.
Depending on each client’s interests Pietman may also include a visit to an art gallery or a museum and he will be delighted to talk with you about South Africa and its history, languages, politics, customs and traditions.
Pietman will collect you and return you to your hotel at the start and end of the tour, and a light lunch is included. If you would like more information on these tours please ask your Audley Specialist.