When times are tight, a visit to the Winelands seems unlikely – if you start adding up how much a meal at a restaurant is going to cost, let alone a few glasses of wine. The good news is that there are things you can do in the Winelands, apart from a standard “is-there-any-wine-in-my-glass” wine tasting, that won’t break the bank.
Here’s 20 things you can do (including a few interesting wine pairings, not tastings) in the Winelands for under R100. Plus, they’re all close to Cape Town so you don’t have to drive very far.
Affordable things to do in the Durbanville Wine Valley
1. Signal Gun
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 (times may vary slightly)
Contact: Tel 0219767343, signalgun.com
You are always guaranteed to have a good time at Signal Gun as there is so much to do, eat and drink. The kids will love it too! They do a beer and biltong pairing at R50 per person, a wine and Turkish delight pairing at R50 per person and a wine and chocolate pairing at R50 per person. The wine and pizza pairing is also worth a mention at R115 per person for four wines paired with four saucer-sized pizzas. Great idea if you are feeling peckish while wanting to try some of their wines!
2. Diemersdal Wine Estate
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 17:00, Sundays 10:00 – 15:00
Contact: Tel 0219763361, diemersdal.co.za
This option is slightly over R100 at R125 per person, but definitely worth a mention. Every Thursday night Diemersdal Eatery has a steak special at R250 for two. The deal includes freshly baked bread, vetkoek with a paté, two sirloin steaks with a béarnaise sauce, chips, a rocket salad and two glasses of red wine. Date night has just moved from Monday to Thursday night! However, as you can imagine, this steak special is popular, so you will have to book quite far in advance.
3. Hillcrest Estate
Opening times: Daily from 09:00 – 16:00
Contact: Tel 0219752346, hillcrestfarm.co.za
Hillcrest Restaurant hosts a Friday Tapas Evening on the last Friday of each month between 17:30 – 21:00, where you can share a myriad of delights, including prawn pops with sweet chilli; beef trinchado with mini rotis and a salsa verde; bacon and mozzarella cigarillos; butternut arancini; and deep fried Camembert to name a few (the menu changes slightly each time). Tapas are to be shared, so from R40 – R70 per plate makes this an affordable and fun night out. Spaces are limited so booking is essential.
Affordable things to do in Franschhoek
4. The Franschhoek Cellar
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 18:00, Sundays 10:00 – 17:00
Contact: Tel 0218762086, thefranschhoekcellar.co.za
Enjoy a cheese and wine pairing where The Franschhoek Cellar range is paired with speciality hand-made cheeses, including traditional Boerenkaas (Dutch Farmhouse Gouda), Emmental, Fontina, six-month matured Gruyère, and Gorgonzola. If you have a sweet tooth, try their wine and chocolate pairing, also featuring their range paired with a rich, fruity green fig dark chocolate, dark chocolate coated apricot, cinnamon milk chocolate, pistachio and marzipan dark chocolate, natural strawberry-flavoured dark chocolate, rich mocha milk chocolate and a tangy lemon crème in dark Belgian chocolate.
Their latest addition to their pairings is the Pinotage Experience, which sees five Pinotage wines paired with five nut and biltong offerings. The cheese and wine pairing cost R60 per person, the chocolate and wine pairing costs R70 per person and the Pinotage Experience also costs R70 per person. Parents will also be pleased to know that Franschhoek Cellars are very child-friendly with plenty of activities for the kids in a safe, enclosed area with child minders. Check out the 20 restaurants in Franschhoek to visit.
5. Tuk Tuk Microbrewery
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 11:00 – 22:30, Friday and Saturday 11:00 – 23:00
Contact: Tel 0214922207, tuktukbrew.com
It’s not all wine-tasting in Franschhoek – there’s a microbrewery too, conveniently situated on the main drag. The Tuk Tuk craft beers, are handcrafted on-site in their 250-litre capacity copper microbrewery while the CBC offering comes from their state-of-the-art plant at Spice Route. Try four Tuk Tuk brews for R46 per person or six CBC brews for R57 per person. On Mondays you can tuck into their burger special for R90 per person (burger, chips and a half pint of beer/glass of wine/soft drink).
6. Farm Sanctuary SA
Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday 11:00 – 14:00, or by appointment. Meet Pigcasso on Sundays at 12:00
Contact: Tel 0614995006, farmsanctuarysa.org
Life’s much more fun than being a ham sandwich! A visit to Farm Sanctuary SA is a wonderful experience where you can relax, explore and even stay the night. It is the only officially registered sanctuary on the African continent for rescued farm animals and aims to inform and inspire positive change in the way society views and treats farm animals. Connect with rescued farm animals and visit the OINK Gallery featuring the renowned artworks from Pigcasso, their famous painting pig. You can also meet the famous artist himself on a farm tour that takes place on Sundays. Entrance is free, but donations are welcomed.
7. The Franschhoek Motor Museum
Opening times: Monday to Friday 10:00 – 17:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 – 16:00
Contact: Tel 0218749002, fmm.co.za
Look back at more than 100 years of motoring history and enjoy a unique collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia in the magnificent setting of L’Ormarins. The museum’s collection exceeds 220 vehicles, ranging from a 1898 Beeston motor tricycle to a 2003 Ferrari Enzo supercar, with more than 80 exhibits on view at any one time. Adults pay R80, pensioners pay R60 and children (3-12 years) pay R40. Note: During the winter season, viewing is by appointment only.
8. Huguenot Memorial Museum and Huguenot Monument
Opening times: Monday to Saturday 09:00-17:00, Sundays 14:00-17:00
Contact: Tel 0218762532, www.museum.co.za
If you are interested in history, this is a great opportunity to learn about the history of the Franschhoek Village and the Huguenots. You’ll gain an insight into the life of the early Huguenot settlers as well as the Khoi San people. Entrance to the museum is R20, while the museum annex with more exhibitions and a souvenir shop across the road is free of charge. Entrance to the Huguenot Monument is R20 and is also well worth a visit. While you are there, stop for breakfast, lunch, or a glass of wine at De Oude Slaven Huis Restaurant on the museum grounds.
Affordable things to do in the Helderberg / Somerset West
9. Waterkloof Wines
Opening hours: Tasting Lounge open daily from 10:00 – 17:00
Contact: Tel 0218581292, waterkloofwines.co.za
The view from the restaurant at Waterkloof Wines is astounding, along with the chic décor and interesting art pieces. The restaurant set menu may be a bit pricey for many, but don’t let that put you off visiting this beautiful wine estate. Pop in and enjoy a wine tasting from R30 per person, a cheese tasting for R50 per person or share a Waterkloof Platter with your wine tasting for R150. You’ll enjoy the same views as everyone else, but at a fraction of the price!
10. Im Eima Restaurant and Biergarten
Opening times: Open daily from 11:00
Contact: Tel 0218581488, imeimer.co.za
A rustic restaurant stroke pub that has live music on a Sunday afternoon coupled with a very tasty Eisbein special for R89. They also serve German beers and other German favourites such as Bratwurst, Fleischkase, Schweinebraten, schnitzels, sauerkraut and spatzle, along with warthog medallions and zebra steaks! However, their Eisbein comes up tops so if you like things a little bohemian and offbeat and are an Eisbein fan, pop in here and end off your weekend on a good note! Be sure to make a booking too as they fill up fast.
Affordable things to do in Paarl
11. Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm
Opening times: Daily from 09:00 – 17:00
Contact: Tel 0218631142, lebonheurcrocfarm.co.za
Take a guided croc pond tour across open dams where over 1000 crocs are housed. You can touch a baby crocodile, view crocodiles underwater through aquarium-style viewing panels and during the summer months, witness a feeding twice a day. Adults pay R58, under-18s pay R32. While you are there, you can also have a braai using their braai facilities overlooking the dam. There must be a minimum of eight people and it costs R65 per person and R15 per person corkage fee (no matter how many bottles of wine you bring). They supply the glasses, plates and cutlery. Booking for the braai facility is essential.
12. Butterfly World
Opening times: Daily from 09:00 – 17:00
Contact: Tel 0218755628, butterflyworld.co.za
This popular spot along the R44 is a great day out for both grown ups and children. As the name suggests, there are thousands of butterflies to enjoy, but there’s a lot more to see at this sanctuary including birds, reptiles and small mammals. Look out for their free-roaming green tree iguanas, visit the Skeleton Park, enjoy a meal in their tea garden or restaurant, or take the kids to the Craft Centre. It’s a great place for photographers too as you can get up close and personal with the butterflies. Entrance is R80 for adults, R72 for pensioners and students and R45 for children.
13. The Giraffe House
Opening times: Daily from 09:00 – 17:00
Contact: Tel 0218844506, giraffehouse.co.za
Primarily an education centre, The Giraffe House really does have a real giraffe – his name is Gerry and he was hand-reared. They also have eland, impala, springbok, zebra, meerkats, warthogs, bat eared foxes and vervet monkeys, along with a large array of birds and reptiles. Their interactive creepy crawly encounters are held at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 on weekends and during school holidays where you have the opportunity to meet and hold some interesting creatures! Entrance fee is R50 for adults, R35 for pensioners and children (2-15 years) R30. They also host kiddy birthday parties if you are looking for something different.
14. The Spice Route
Opening times: Daily from 09:00-17:00
Contact: Tel 0218635200, spiceroute.co.za
Prepare for a full day out to enjoy a carefully curated selection of artisanal wares to explore, taste and appreciate. Pop into the Barley & Biltong Emporium for a cold craft beer and some biltong or a burger; indulge in a chocolate & confectionery tasting (R25 per person) at De Villiers Artisan Chocolate, Roastery & Espresso Bar; try an authentic South African dish with a twist at Bertus Basson; take on a Grappa Tasting (from R30 per person) at Wilderer Distillery; tuck into pizza, flammkuchen or tapas next door at La Grapperia Pizza & Bistro; enjoy homemade ice cream at the DV Café; appreciate works of art at the Barn Artist’s Studio Gallery; or shop for glassware, deli meats, jams, wine and more. There’s something for all tastes and all budgets on The Spice Route!
15. Wild Clover Farm
Opening times: Open daily from 08:00
Contact: Tel 0218652248, wildclover.co.za
Wild Clover offers a wide selection of activities and has a huge kids zone, which is great news for parents! Energetic parents can also take the kids on the “pops and tots” cycle track – a gentle 4km off-road route around the farm. Beer lovers can enjoy a beer and food pairing for R70 at the Wild Clover Brewery which includes 250ml of each of their four craft beers paired with a selection of four snacks, including a berry nutty cheese ball and dark chilli chocolate. If you are wanting more than a snack they also do a mixed grill basket for R90 or you could share a cheese platter for R120. For a few more rands you can try your hand at archery for R150 per person (R100 per person if a group of 3 or more) and clay pigeon shooting at R150 per person (group packages also available). Plus there’s horse riding and the opportunity to try your hand at controlling a microlight plane. Or you can just sit back and relax with a delicious pizza (highly recommended) accompanied by a cold beer or glass of wine at The Country Pub.
Affordable things to do in Stellenbosch
16. Clos Malverne
Opening times: Monday to Friday 10:00 – 16:30, Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 13:00
Contact: Tel 0218652022, closmalverne.co.za
This wine estate was the first to offer a rather unusual wine pairing – wine and ice cream! It sounds strange, but it is very delicious. Plus, these are not your average ice creams – think tomato chutney and basil ice cream, pineapple, mint and chilli ice cream, Turkish delight, rose water and pistachio nuts ice cream and mushroom, hazelnut, truffle and honey ice cream. These interesting ice creams are paired with the estate’s fine wines and it costs R75 per person. Give it a try! Note: The wine and ice cream pairing is not available on Sundays.
17. Historical Stellenbosch on foot
Opening times: Daily
Contact: Tel 0218833584 (Stellenbosch Tourist Information Bureau)
This tour will not cost you a cent and it is a wonderful way to explore the university town of Stellenbosch. Not only will you visit and learn about historical places of interest, you can snoop about in the many shops and art galleries along the way or grab a bite to eat at any restaurant or sidewalk café that takes your fancy. Simply pick up a map from the Stellenbosch Tourist Information Bureau and head off to explore. Tip: The Toy & Miniature Museum is well worth a visit and can be found just behind the information bureau.
18. Eagle Encounters at Spier
Opening times: Daily 09:30 – 17:00
Contact: Tel 0218581826, eagle-encounters.co.za
Get up close and personal with owls, watch and participate in spectacular flying shows and observe birds of prey in action. The entrance fee includes all of the interactive flying shows and all-day personal interactions with African Wood Owls, the dancing Barn Owls, Bengal Eagle Owls, snakes, Bearded Dragons, tortoises, rabbits, guinea pigs and more. Adults pay R75, pensioners, students and children (3-12 years) pay R65.
19. Middelvlei Wine Estate
Opening times: Open daily for lunch
Contact: Tel 0218832565, middelvlei.co.za
Only in South Africa would you find boerebraai tapas! Relax on the Middelvlei veranda in summer, or cosy up in front of the fireplace in winter to enjoy a fun pairing of Middelvlei wines paired with their very own boerebraai tapas, including mini potbrood and snoek pâté; biltong and caramelised onion paptertjie; and a cocktail boerewors sosatie. This uniquely South African wine pairing costs R70 per person and you only need to confirm your visit an hour prior to arrival.
20. The House of J.C. Le Roux
Opening times: Monday to Friday 08:00 – 17:00, Saturdays 10:00 – 15:00, Sundays 10:00 – 14:00
Contact: Tel 0218658200
This one is perfect for an giggly outing with the girls or for an stylish day out with mom. It’s sparkly and bubbly (excuse the puns) with plush chairs and shimmering champagne glasses which makes it all feel rather glamorous. A Sparkling Tasting (5 bubblies from their Sparkling Wine range) costs R80 and the MCC Tasting (5 Methode Cap Classiques) costs R90. For twenty bucks more, you can enjoy their Nougat Experience (5 Methode Cap Classiques paired with five pieces of specially crafted flavoured Nougat) and the Olive Experience (5 Methode Cap Classiques paired with artisanal olives).
Warning: You are very likely to walk into the House of JC Le Roux in your heels and leave with them slung over your shoulder!
If you have enjoyed other budget activities in the Winelands, do let us know in the comments below!
Researched and compiled by Rachel Robinson.
