Heading to South Africa?
Today we’re heading to South Africa, a beautiful country with a Mediterranean climate, where wine is made in a style that blends the Old and New Worlds. We’ll help you choose which wineries to visit!
18 Wine Routes in Southern Africa
The country has 18 wine routes. The best way to see as much as possible is to buy a ticket for the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
There are several possible routes: the Blue Line and the Red Line. On the Blue Line, you can explore the vineyards of Mont Rochelle, La Couronne, La Bourgogne, Rickety Bridge, and Grande Provence. On the Red Line, you’ll find the vineyards of Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Eikehof, and Leopard’s Leap.
Here’s a little sneak peek: you can enjoy some amazing wine in a historic setting, with a cheese and charcuterie platter, a breathtaking view, and a chance to admire the vineyards while sitting in an old tram.
Fun fact: the reason there are so many French names in the area is that the Huguenots settled in South Africa in the 17th century, near Franschhoek (which means “the French corner” in Afrikaans).
Constance wine, Napoleon's favorite wine
For Napoleon fans, note that Constantia wine was the Corsican’s favorite: a sweet wine that helped him forget his loneliness during his exile on Saint Helena. Groot Constantia is the most renowned estate, and you can enjoy a rather unusual wine-and-chocolate pairing there!
If you really want to avoid the tourists, head to Klein Constantia (closed on Sundays, so be sure to check) or Eagle’s Nest.
We're counting on you to test it!
Why trust us?
Since 2014, Les Grappes has been dedicated to meeting passionate winemakers across France to unearth authentic, vibrant wines with rich histories. By collaborating directly with over 500 vintners, we meticulously select cuvées that we genuinely appreciate and are eager to share with you.
This blog serves as an extension of that journey. Here, we share our discoveries, expert advice, favorite selections, optimal food and wine pairings, tasting recommendations, and everything that inspires us daily in the world of wine.
The objective is straightforward: to assist you in selecting bottles that align with your preferences and to enhance your enjoyment in tasting them.
Latest Releases
Newly Arrived Vintages in Cellar