Just one hour away from Capetown, wine tasting in Stellenbosch can be a pretty enjoyable experience because of the diverse amount of wineries in this area. I Payed 250 rands (20USD) for a tour that passed by 5 vineries and a Brandy factory. The tastings are not included and you pay extra in every stop.
The visit included the wineries: Neethlingshof, Brandy Van Ryn’n, Spier, Alto and Kleine Zalze.
The most interesting from all of them was the Brandy touring that started with a free welcome drink, Brandy of peach or apricot. We started at the main hall with a brief summary of the Brandy process. We went trough all the factory where pictures were not allowed. First the wine tanks, then the distillery and then we had the pleasure of watching a barrel being deconstructed and built.
The visit ended in the barrel shed than we headed to the tasting hall. The complete tasting was 95 rands, (8USD) including brandy with various ages 10, 12, 15 e 20 years and a few chocolates. The 15 year old brandy of Van Ryn’s that was awarded in 2015 the best Brandy in the world.
In Spear I tasted 6 wines with 3 different chocolates for 45 rands (4USD) and in Kleine Zalze, I tryed 6 wines for 25 rands (2USD). You get a huge list and sign what you want to taste.
Finally, I returned home after this magnificent tour of South Africa’s wineries.