An Unexpected Bonus Day: A Private Stellenbosch Wine Tour

Sometimes the best days are the ones you don’t plan.

After my guest’s flight home was unexpectedly delayed, we suddenly had another full day in Cape Town. Having already spent a day exploring the Winelands together, I had a much better idea of the wines she enjoyed — which gave me the opportunity to create a more personalised private Stellenbosch wine tour for our bonus day.

Our Private Stellenbosch Wine Tour Begins at Rainbow’s End

We started early at Rainbow’s End, a beautiful family-owned estate tucked beneath the Stellenbosch mountains and particularly well known for its red wines.

The timing couldn’t have been better. We had the deck entirely to ourselves, with perfect winter weather and spectacular mountain views.

We worked our way through a selection of wines, and this time I knew immediately that we had found the right place. The Cabernet Franc Rosé and Cabernet Franc were particular favourites, and my guest bought a bottle of each to take with her.

An Eight-Course Lunch at La Petite Colombe

From Stellenbosch, we headed to Franschhoek for one of the highlights of the day: an eight-course lunch at La Petite Colombe.

My very generous guest invited me to join her, turning what was already an exceptional dining experience into an especially memorable afternoon. Beautifully presented courses, outstanding food and a relaxed few hours in Franschhoek made this much more than simply a lunch stop.

Finishing High Above the Winelands

Our final wine tasting took us high into the Helderberg mountains at Uva Mira.

By then, the late-afternoon light had transformed the landscape. We enjoyed another tasting while looking out across the vineyards towards False Bay — a spectacular way to finish a day that hadn’t even been part of the original plan.

That is one of the things I enjoy most about offering private tours. There doesn’t have to be a rigid formula. Once I get to know my guests and understand what they enjoy, I can adapt the day around their tastes and create something genuinely personal.

A delayed flight might not normally be something to celebrate, but this one gave us another unforgettable day in the Cape Winelands.