Posts for Tour Category

Posted In Cape Town, Tour, Wine

A Basic Guide To The Cape Winelands Of South Africa

NPBAdmin | December 22, 2017

If you are visiting Cape Town, you need to take some time to visit the Cape Winelands. Cape Town residents will often take a trip to the Cape Winelands to relax in the amazing surroundings. If you have limited time in Cape Town, you need to take a day trip to the Cape Winelands, but you ideally would like to spend a few days exploring the region.

Where Are The Cape Winelands?

The Cape Winelands are located around 50 kilometers east of Cape Town. It is possible to easily travel there by car, but you will need to determine which area you are going to visit. There are certain main areas of the Winelands that you need to visit, but some of the less popular areas are just as magnificent.

Explore the beautiful Winelands of Cape Town.

The main areas of the Cape Winelands are Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch. The Cape Winelands are located in the Western Cape Province which is the primary wine producing area of South Africa. This region produces around 1 million liters of wine each year. The wine industry also plays a large role in the national economy which is only set to increase because of the growing popularity of South African wines around the world.

Basic Information About The Cape Winelands

If you are going to be traveling to the Winelands from Cape Town, it is important to note that the weather is very similar to the city. However, it should be noted that the temperatures can be higher in the city during the summer months compared to the Winelands. This is due to the fact that the city does not benefit from the cooling winds that the Winelands have during the hot summer months.

Stellenbosch Winelands.

The Cape Winelands is also located fairly close to the ocean and are generally within valleys surrounded by impressive mountains. The Cape Fold Mountains starts in Stellenbosch and has created a soil which is perfect for growing wine grapes. The Cape Floral Kingdom also provides the fertile soil that is needed for the world-class vines that grow in the area.

Taking The Road Less Traveled

When visiting the Cape Winelands, most people choose to visit the most popular areas. However, there are many outlying areas that have become more popular, but do not have the same numbers in terms of visitors. Taking the time to explore these smaller areas is worthwhile as you might find a hidden gem.

A great way to see the Cape Winelands is on a Cape Town bicycle tour. On a bicycle tour you will see things in a unique way at a slower pace and really get involved in your experience.

The Cape Town Wineland tour.

There are a number of Cape Wine Routes that you can use which will help you find the vineyards that are off the beaten track. While taking these routes, you should stop at the farm stalls and the lesser known estates that offer wine as well as cheese and olives. There is no better way to spend a lazy summer afternoon than trying what the Cape Winelands has to offer.

Where You Should Go

The Cape Winelands have something for everyone and you do not have to love wine to go. There are a number of areas that are dedicated to fruit groves which can be visited between the wine estates. When you visit the area, you can drive through the Winelands on your own or you can join a tour which will take you to most of the popular areas.

Ceres

If you are looking for more than wine, you should take a trip to Ceres. This lush valley was named after the Roman goddess of fertility and is full of fruit orchards.

Discover Ceres

You can spend the morning fruit tasting or picking cherries then head to one of the many outdoor activities in the afternoon. If you are going to visit the area, you should take the Bainskloof Pass to Paarl which offers a spectacular mountain view and was built more than 100 years ago.

South Coast

If you want to visit the coolest wine area of the South Coast, you should head to Elgin. Elgin is located 70 kilometers from Cape Town and has a reputation for outstanding wines.

Trip to the South Coast

Some of the vineyards you should look at visiting including Paul Cluver, Newton Johnson and Shannon Vineyards.

Somerset West

An area that is often forgotten by people visiting the Cape Winelands is Somerset West, but this is actually an area that you should not miss. Somerset West is the home of some spectacular scenery as well as famous wine estates. The area is more affordable than other wine destinations if you want to stay In the Cape Winelands. Somerset West also has it all with miles of beaches, mountains and the acclaimed vineyards of Ken Forrester, Yonder Hill and Vergelegen.

Explore Somerset West

If you would like some chocolate with your wine, you should head to Tulbagh which is a charming town located in the mountains. The town was devastated by an earthquake in 1969, but has been restored to its former glory. The town also has a range of excellent wines for you to try as well as chocolate tasting at the Monikki Chocolatier.

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Posted In Napa Valley, Tour, Wine

Here Are Five Of The Best Tours In Napa Valley For Wine Enthusiasts

NPBAdmin | August 17, 2017

There are some great tours in Napa Valley if you are a lover of wine. Any wine connoisseur knows that Napa Valley is the spot. Naturally, there are other great spots around the country as well. Still Napa Valley is a great location for prestigious wineries, and there are plenty of them. In fact, there are enough to where people can make lists concerning the best Napa Valley tours. The following are the 5 best tours Napa Valley has to offer wine enthusiasts.

Twenty Rows

When I say prestigious, it doesn’t necessarily mean that each winery is upscale and will perhaps even make you feel uncomfortable if you are up for a more casual experience. It should be noted though that each winery is different. One of the top wineries in Napa Valley that you could pick for your touring experiences is called Twenty Rows. It is located on Vallejo Street, and it is said to be one of the examples of a more casual winery.

What is exactly meant by casual anyway? It just means that the atmosphere is more relaxed, and that can come down to a number of different things. If you are looking for a nice fun place to stop by, then you have found your winery. Of course, you are going to want to visit more than one winery if you are making your way through Napa Valley. Do you live close by?

Stony Hill Vineyard

Let’s look at another top winery, Stony Hill Vineyard. This is a really cool spot, but you are going to need to like white wine. Even if you are a connoisseur of mostly red wine like I am, you could visit this top winery to experience something a little different. I would be willing to go for sure, but I wouldn’t expect it to be my favorite. Yet you have to remember that it is more than just about the wine.

Mumm Napa

Mumm Napa is the next highlighted spot for the best tours in Napa Valley CA, and it is located on Silverado Trail. The Oak Terrace Tasting is supposed to be one of the best experiences. Yes, you are going to want to look into more of what to expect with each one of these places. That shouldn’t be a problem because you are excited. Now you know yet another great winery to visit in Napa Valley, and there are still two more to make the cut for this list of five.

V .Sattui

There are certainly plenty more that could be on this list as mentioned. So this next pick is extra special, and that is actually going to be obvious right away. What winery do you go to that pairs the wine tasting with its special barbecue? You get to eat some delicious barbecue at this place, and now it is time to tell you the name of the winery and where it is located. It is called V. Sattui, and it can be found on White Lane.

Now that is four wineries in Napa Valley that I have covered so far. There is one more on the top five list. If you have been to Napa Valley, then you have certain wineries in mind, and you are probably wondering if any of them make the list. Well you already know the first four, so get ready for this last pick. Crushing grapes at this next joint is part of a serious business for sure.

William Hill East

William Hill East Winery is located on Atlas Peak Road, and it provides guests with one spectacular tour. Get ready for the views, you know, the views of rolling hills that make you think of Napa Valley in the first place. You can have a picnic there, too, but you do have to bring your own food. Additionally, this is another winery that provides a more casual atmosphere.

Do any of these five places seem like the best first choice to you? Knowing that these could be anyone’s top five Napa Valley wineries makes me think I would have a great time at all of them. I might want to visit one of the ones that serve red wine the most though because that is certainly my favorite. Do you have a favorite wine, perhaps one from Napa Valley?

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