Uncork and unwind in the Cape Winelands! While it's always wine o'clock on the various vineyards in South Africa, that's not all this area brings to the table. So grab your partners in wine, whoever they may be, for some gay-friendly fun because the Cape Winelands has something to fit every mood.
1. Romance: All You Need is Love…and a Bottle Of Rosé
Seduction and wine... has there ever been a more divine combination? Let the Cape Winelands help you set the mood straight out of a romance novel.
Ride On, Honey
Does a romantic day out even count if there isn't at least one long winding drive through the countryside? Well, bring some of that main character energy with you as you cruise from vineyard to vineyard in a chauffeur-driven sidecar.
Keeping it real while you rock a retro-leather jacket, you and your boo will smile your way through tastings and pairings from wine and cheese to brandy and chocolate.
Feel as fab as you look, Image Credit: Dirty Boots
Movies by Moonlight
It's the absolute classic of dinner and a movie but with a little twist – your classic film is served up with a side of stars on a wine farm. Get all cosy and cuddle up, munch on popcorn, sip on sangria and let the movie magic unfold. There are also fantastic food stalls where you can choose a bite to eat.
In a stroke of genius, the Galileo Open Air Cinema has seen to it that their fun outdoor screenings also take place at various wine farms in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
Romantic setting under the stars, Image Credit: Galileo Open Air Cinema
A Gallop Fairytale
Is there anything more romantic than a horse-drawn carriage? Well, if it's good enough for Cinderella and the royal family, it's certainly more than good enough for us. On the idyllic estate of Vrede en Lust, they're serving up a horseload of romance with their carriage rides.
So, put on those glass slippers, grab your prince or princess charming and live out a Disney princess daydream as you go from one tasting to the next.
Luckily this carriage won’t ever turn into a pumpkin, Image Credit: Wine Valley Adventures
2. Girls and Guys On Tour
As we all know, love is love, so call up your platonic soulmates and have a little fun in the Cape Winelands.
Tuk Tuk Tour
How merlot can you and your friends go? Get up close and personal, literally, with your bestie and huddle together in a cute little tuk tuk as you're chauffeured from farm to farm.
"Tuk" about a good time, Image Credit: Inside Guide
Battery Operated Devices…
Spend your day straddling this battery-operated device as it gets you where you need to go! Tour through stunning Spier on a snazzy little segway. You and your friends will love zipping and zooming across the wine estate on this cool little speedster.
Explore the Winelands without breaking a sweat, Image Credit: Spier
Boujee at Boschendal
Sip on some Boschendal Cap Classique bubbles and feast away at the stalls featuring a wide selection of fresh food while local live music serenades you.
The Boschendal Friday Night Market is practically an institution at this point, and it's a great way to set the tone for your weekend.
TGIF, Image Credit Boschendal
3. Awesome Adventures
As Bilbo Baggins would say, "I'm going on an adventure!". Although there's nothing quite as epic as taking the one true ring to Mordor, the Cape Winelands' adventurous activities are a close contender.
They See You Rollin’
Pedal for that medal, baby! Except in this case, the medal is wine. In the Cape Winelands, you can hop on an e-bike and see the Stellenbosch or Franschhoek vineyards from an entirely different point of view. Bonus: burn some of those holiday calories along the way. It really is a win-win situation.
Now this is cardio we can get behind, Image Credit: Vine Bikes
Giddy Up!
Finally! An activity where it's actually acceptable, if not compulsory, to wear a cowboy hat and boots without committing a fashion faux pax. So, with your cowboy hat firmly in place, a wine farm is a stunning place to have yourself a little canter through amazing scenery. So, we guess all there's left to say is, "yee-haw!".
Howdy partner, Image Credit: Boschendal
Surf's up!
Cowabunga, baby! If you've always been fascinated with the concept of surfing but have never had the chance, or the balance, to try, it's time to give it a go.
Meet the e-foil or electronic flying surfboard (try saying that at 3x speed), your new best friend. In layman's terms, it's a motorised surfboard that propels you through the water. But how does one e-foil in the Cape Winelands, you ask? Well, it was a matter of turning wine, or in this case, a wine farm, into water. For a fun day in the sun and water, you can surf in the dams of wine farms such as Devonbosch. It's the perfect place to try e-foiling.
Wetsuit up, Image Credit: Dirty Boots
4. Artsy Fartsy
While we respect the hustle of life, there's something to be said for taking things slow. Take things down a notch with these fun and creative activities to help relieve the stress of everyday life.
Vroom Vroom With a Side of Vino
If you're feeling classy, might we suggest taking a Jag for a spin? While James Bond may like his martini shaken and not stirred, we prefer our vino with a side of vintage.
Enjoy the perks of being chauffeured from vineyard to vineyard and tasting to tasting in style! Remember to go full throttle and make a pit stop at the Franschhoek Motor Museum for the ultimate experience.
James Bond approves, Image Credit: Classic Rides
Bottle and Brew A Drink Just for You!
While being an expert wine taster is a whole lotta fun, why not try your hand, or palette, at blending and bottling the wine yourself? Middelvlei Wine Estate in Stellenbosch lets you create your own personalised bottle of wine to take home with you. How cool is that?
Just think of the dinner parties where you can serve your own wine blend!
Eau de You
For those of you who love having a signature scent, this is the activity for you! Put your nose to work and step in the fragrant shoes of a perfume maker to craft your very own perfume.
Perfume Prive in Franschhoek hosts workshops where they teach you how to create your own personal brand of perfume. So the next time someone asks what you're wearing, you can confidently say it's just a little "eau de you"!
Blend your own signature scent
5. Family Fun
For those planning to explore the Cape Winelands with their mini-mes, there's no reason for you to miss out on the fun. Here are some ideas for some wholesome family fun that everyone can enjoy!
Skip The Drama, Llama
Did you know that Alpaca fur is finer and stronger than cashmere? Neither did we until we visited The Alpaca Loom and Coffee Shop.
Here, they offer a great day out for a family. There's a petting zoo, a coffee shop and a chance to spend some quality time with a herd of Alpacas. And, honey, they're just too cute for words!
Peek-a-boo, Image Credit: The Alpaca Loom
Eagle Encounters
Grab your kids and head off to Spier for a really cool afternoon of getting to know all the fierce and fabulous birds Spier helps rehabilitate.
They also have the prettiest picnic settings with all kinds of food to enjoy. And, of course, this is a wine farm, so a couple of vinos in between is a must for the parents.
Spier is a family-fun paradise, Image Credit: Spier
Let's Help You Make Some Pour Decisions!
As Cape Town locals, trust us when we say we know (and love!) our wine (and the farms they come from). Whether you want romance, family fun or just a good ol' time, we've got you covered.
Our fabulous Travel Experts sit at the ready to help you plan an epic stay in the Cape Winelands. Let's start planning your gay-friendly Cape Winelands holiday!
Featured Image Credit: Delaire Graff
