From the lobby of your hotel, we will venture forth to explore a Swartland wine farm in all its authenticity. This is a trip to a farm that will take you behind the scenes from the very start. It’s a bit of a drive to get there (just over an hour), so for those happy to take to the skies, we can also access the farm by helicopter with sweeping views over Table Mountain to start and then on to the farm over the Cape winelands, a quick and gorgeous (although not inexpensive) way to get there.

However we arrive on the farm, once there we will settle in and get comfy. Starting with a walk in the vineyards to get a sense of where things are with the grapes’ evolution, all whilst taking in the glorious vistas and being careful to not trample a chicken underfoot. We will spend time, secateurs in hand, having a proper look at the origin of the wine, the vine and the soils. Availability dependent, the winemaker and farm owner will walk with us and talk us through the philosophy of farming, an interesting chat to be a part of. From the vines to the wines, we’ll pop into the cellar and taste from barrel and tank alike, before taking a seat on the stoep (verandah) where the bottles will be opened and the further exploration of the wines will continue. From here it is on to lunch, which simply means opening a few more bottles and making space at the table for some plates of delicious home-cooked fare.

After lunch, we play it by ear, perhaps a stroll to the dam, fishing rod in hand, to throw a line in the water to see if the bass are biting. It might be a walk down to the stables to see the horses and offer them an apple. Maybe lunch rolls into dinner and we have yet to leave the table. The beauty of this day is that the structure is determined by the combined rhythm of the farm and your interests, but either way, arrive curious and you leave with new friends and fond memories of an immersive day on a traditional South African wine farm. Comfortable walking shoes, a sunhat, and not your Sunday best for the farm, it’s a casual affair.