The Wine Tram: South Africa's top wine route?

Typically, a car, bus, or if you're in the mood for luxury, a limo is the usual way to reach any vineyard.

However, one innovative tour operator offers a unique way to explore 14 vineyards in Franschhoek, South Africa’s renowned wine-producing region in the Cape province.

Forget the car keys—hop on a tram to explore the wineries instead.

The Wine Tram runs on a historic narrow-gauge track, over 100 years old, and was created by railway enthusiast David Blyth, who designed the green bio-diesel tram after the open-sided trams from the 1890s.

With seating for 32 passengers, the tram features flip-over benches, allowing visitors to take in the scenery from both directions.

"We revived a dormant narrow-gauge railway line from 1904, originally used to transport fruit from local farms," explains Blyth, a Zimbabwean-born man with Scottish roots.

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On the right path

"There was plenty of doubt at first, but the tram captured people's imaginations and soon, customers came flocking through word of mouth," says Blyth.

"As more estates expressed interest, we added five buses to connect with the tram," says Blyth.

"The main benefit is that passengers don't have to worry about drinking and driving. Both Americans and Europeans are particularly mindful of that," he adds.

Founded by French Huguenot settlers fleeing persecution in 1688, the region – steeped in winemaking tradition and home to some of South Africa's finest vintages – has become a key destination for global wine tours, offering exquisite wines and top-tier cuisine amidst breathtaking landscapes.

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Endurance tour

Today, I'm in the heart of the town, gearing up for a unique and extensive wine tasting adventure.

While wine tours are already a staple here, the Wine Tram I’m about to board, reminiscent of a San Francisco streetcar, has revolutionized the local tourism scene.

So, what's the story here?

The tram, along with its five shuttle buses, provides a daily hop-on, hop-off service to 14 vineyards across four distinct routes.

Each route includes nine scheduled stops, with two complimentary tastings at each stop. However, with one hour allotted per estate, you can realistically visit up to six estates.

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All aboard

It’s a laid-back Monday, yet the tram is packed: tourists from China, wine enthusiasts from England, and large South African families of all ages are onboard.

As the tram sets off, we quickly realize that cars take precedence, forcing us to stop at each intersection while the conductor rushes ahead, flagging down traffic with a red flag.

We also pass through Franschhoek, a town that proudly embraces its French heritage, featuring a grand monument to the Huguenot settlers, with French street and shop names far outnumbering their English counterparts.

Our first stop is Rickety Bridge station, where we board a creaky wagon that leads us down a dusty track to the aptly named Rickety Bridge estate.

This historic winery, founded in 1797, was granted to Paulina de Villiers, one of South Africa's earliest female landowners.

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Decadent selection

I opt to sample the aptly named 'Sinful' collection of ice creams: a local maker sources the wine, then blends it with ice cream varieties to match white, rosé, and red wines.

I taste the red variety, and while the alcohol is evident, I’d grow tired of the ice cream long before it had any chance of making me feel drowsy.

Our second stop takes us to Grande Provence, a 300-year-old estate that is more than just a vineyard, as evidenced by the signs for its sculpture garden and helipad.

Here, the romantic Cape Dutch architecture seamlessly merges with contemporary design, all set beneath the rugged peaks of the Drakenstein mountain range. It’s no surprise that Grande Provence is also a sought-after wedding destination.

I’m impressed by the Pinot Noir, a grape variety notoriously difficult to grow in Franschhoek due to its need for cooler slopes, but the taste is flawless.

Everyone has their favorite estate, and mine is La Bourgogne, which we visit after a lunch at Holden-Manz, a rejuvenated vineyard just 10 years old offering charming outdoor dining.

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A true passion for wine

Our host at La Bourgogne is Loesja Kock, part of a new generation of South Africans with a deep passion for winemaking.

"The tram has been a blessing for smaller wineries like ours," she says. "We’re always welcoming a steady stream of visitors, and I’ve built relationships, both with clients and new friends, all through wine tastings."

We savor her famous Sémillon in a vast garden shaded by 100-year-old oak trees, the only disruption being a St Bernard dog playfully chasing African ibises.

"The soil here is perfect for Sémillon – rich in iron, located on the river slopes," she says, and naturally, she’s absolutely right.

Our next stop is La Couronne, a vineyard named after the passenger ship that carried the first Huguenot settlers.

They offer a distinctive wine and chocolate pairing: Sauvignon with white chocolate and lemon filling; rosé with a strawberry praline; Portside Red (a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Merlot, and Petit Verdot) with peanut butter fudge; and a full-bodied Pinotage paired with a luxurious truffle.

Jenny and Patrick, a couple from Kent, England, share their thoughts on the Wine Tram’s popularity as we sample the chocolates.

"Typically, wine tours rush you along after each tasting; here, you have to wait for the tram or bus to arrive every hour, which gives you the perfect opportunity to relax and socialize," they explain.

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The tram journey ends here

Our last stop is Mont Rochelle, a picturesque vineyard owned by Virgin founder Richard Branson.

With stunning views of the Franschhoek valley, Mont Rochelle offers a Mediterranean-style restaurant, art deco wine cellars, and two standout wines: a Cabernet that’s aged for at least two years, and a bold, flavorful Shiraz that thrives in the region's heat.

Meanwhile, Blyth has big plans to expand the Wine Tram network even further.

"We’re in the process of adding a second tram, which will run from Boschendal to Vrede en Lust. Even with that, we’ll still be covering less than half of the full track," Blyth shares.

This visitor is bound to come back for more.

How to get there

Franschhoek is just an hour's drive from Cape Town, which is well-connected with numerous international flights.

A travel company like Expert Africa can help you plan your trip to Franschhoek, book your Wine Tram tickets, and secure four-star accommodations.

The Wine Tram often sells out, so it’s best to book in advance.