All Aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram
The Franschhoek Wine Tram was one of the experiences we had been looking forward to most during our South African adventure. Long before arriving in the Cape Winelands, we'd seen countless videos of the iconic tram winding its way through vineyards and mountain scenery, and it quickly secured a spot on our itinerary.
For those unfamiliar with it, the Franschhoek Wine Tram is a hop-on hop-off experience that takes visitors through the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, stopping at some of the region's most renowned wine estates. Guests can travel between wine farms using a combination of vintage-style trams and open-air tram buses, creating a unique and enjoyable way to explore the Cape Winelands without having to worry about driving.
One of the best features of the Wine Tram is the variety of routes available. With several different lines to choose from, each visiting a different selection of wine farms, you can tailor the experience to suit your tastes and discover everything from boutique wineries to some of South Africa's most celebrated estates.
South Africa's Most Scenic Wine Tour
The day begins at Franschhoek Cellar, where guests board either the tram or tram bus depending on the route and ticket selected. Your ticket includes unlimited transport between the participating wine farms throughout the day, allowing you to hop on and off as often as you like. Wine tastings, food, and other experiences are purchased separately at each estate, although many of the wine farms offer exclusive tastings, discounts, or special packages for Wine Tram visitors.
For our visit, we chose the Blue Line, one of the most popular routes on the Wine Tram network. This line showcases a fantastic mix of boutique wineries and well-established estates, while also offering stunning views of the Franschhoek Valley throughout the day.
The Blue Line includes stops at:
With seven wine farms to choose from, it would be impossible to visit them all in a single day, so part of the fun is deciding which estates best match your tastes and creating your own perfect wine-tasting itinerary.
First Stop: Rickety Bridge
Our first stop of the day was Rickety Bridge Estate, a beautiful wine farm that has undergone significant modernisation in recent years. Today, the estate combines its historic roots with a contemporary feel, featuring stylish outdoor seating areas, on-site accommodation, padel courts, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
When it comes to wine tastings, we always prefer to choose the most extensive option available and share it between the two of us. It gives us the chance to sample a wider range of wines, compare notes, and discover a few favourites along the way.
At Rickety Bridge, we opted for the Foundation Stone Tasting, which showcases eight wines from the estate's Foundation Stone collection. The tasting included three white wines, a rosé, three red wines, and a Pinotage - South Africa's signature grape variety that we had only recently been introduced to. It was the perfect way to begin the day, offering a broad introduction to the estate's wines while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the Franschhoek Valley.
A Taste of Grande Provence
Our next stop was Grande Provence, one of the most picturesque estates on the Franschhoek Wine Tram route. After disembarking from the tram, we were greeted by a tractor shuttle that transported us through the vineyards and up to the estate itself, offering a scenic introduction to the property before our tasting had even begun.
Grande Provence has a distinctly boutique feel, combining award-winning wines with beautifully landscaped gardens, a fine dining restaurant, and an art gallery that guests are free to explore. The estate feels elegant yet relaxed, making it easy to spend a few hours wandering between tastings and soaking up the atmosphere.
For our tasting, we opted for the Premium Tasting, which provided a balanced introduction to the estate's range. The selection included the Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz, giving us the opportunity to sample both white and red wines. With a glass in hand, we spent some time exploring the gardens and browsing the art gallery, making Grande Provence one of the most enjoyable and well-rounded stops of the day.
Biltong & Wine at Paserene
Paserene was almost the wine farm that got away. As we planned our day on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, it came down to a last-minute decision between Maison and Paserene, and in the end, a virtual coin flip sent us to Paserene. Looking back, we're incredibly glad it did.
Modern, stylish, and beautifully designed, Paserene feels very different from some of the more traditional wine estates in the region. The highlight is undoubtedly the terrace, which overlooks a tranquil pond framed by vineyards and mountains. With the sun shining and a glass of wine in hand, it would have been easy to spend the entire afternoon there.
By the time we arrived, it was around midday and after two wine tastings we were ready for a light bite to eat. We ordered a sharing selection of fresh bread and biltong, which proved to be the perfect accompaniment to the wines.
For the tasting itself, we opted for one of the smaller premium tasting experiences, allowing us to focus on some of Paserene's standout wines. Our host also kindly offered us a sample of the estate's rosé, which turned out to be one of the surprise highlights of the day. Neither of us expected it to be a favourite, but it quickly became one of the wines we talked about most after leaving the estate.
With its stunning setting, relaxed atmosphere, and excellent wines, Paserene ended up being one of the standout stops on our Franschhoek Wine Tram adventure.
A Spitbraai Worth the Wait
While riding the Wine Tram earlier in the day, we kept hearing fellow passengers talk about the famous Saturday spitbraai at Klein Goederust. By the time lunchtime arrived, our expectations were high - and somehow, the experience still managed to exceed them.
The spitbraai is served as a fixed-price buffet and centres around a beautifully roasted lamb slowly cooked on the spit. Alongside it were chicken wings and traditional roosterkoek fresh from the braai, accompanied by an impressive spread of colourful salads, cold meats, potatoes, pasta dishes, and plenty more.
The standout for us was undoubtedly the lamb. Perfectly tender and packed with flavour, it was served with a rich red wine jus that elevated the entire meal. In fact, it was so good that we found ourselves pouring it generously over everything on our plates.
As the day was flying by and we wanted to catch the next tram, we decided to keep things simple on the wine front and enjoy a glass of Chenin Blanc alongside lunch. It paired beautifully with the food and allowed us to savour the meal without rushing.
Of all the lunches we enjoyed in the Cape Winelands, this was one of the most memorable. If you're visiting on a Saturday, we'd highly recommend timing your route to include Klein Goederust - the spitbraai alone is worth the stop.
Holden Manz: The Perfect Last Stop
Our final stop on the Blue Line was Holden Manz, the furthest estate on the route and, in our opinion, the perfect place to bring the day to a close.
Nestled amongst vineyards and surrounded by panoramic mountain views, Holden Manz offers a peaceful setting that encourages you to slow down and savour the moment. After a full day of tram rides, wine tastings, and exploring the Franschhoek Valley, there was something special about simply sitting in the gardens, soaking up the scenery, and reflecting on the day.
Rather than opting for another tasting, we decided to finish our Wine Tram adventure with a bottle of wine. On the recommendation of our waiter, we chose the Holden Manz Big G, a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Rich, smooth, and beautifully balanced, it proved to be the perfect wine to accompany the spectacular surroundings.
As the afternoon sun began to soften over the vineyards and mountains, we found ourselves in no rush to leave. It was a fitting end to one of our favourite days in the Cape Winelands and a reminder that sometimes the best moments are the simplest ones - great wine, incredible views, and good company.
