More than just a warm-weather escape, the Cape offers rich culture, Michelin-starred dining, and wine tourism that rivals Europe—at a fraction of the cost
When the wet, cold and dark days of late autumn and winter set in, most Canadians pine for warmer, sun-drenched climes. It is estimated that about one million Canadian ‘snowbirds’ escape the cold of winter primarily to the southern United States. Now with relations in flux and an ‘elbows up’ mentality, South Africa’s Cape Winelands could be the Canadian destination of choice.
From the end of September to mid-March, the southern hemisphere experiences a Mediterranean-type climate with dry, sunny spring and summer weather. Average daytime temperatures are comfortable, ranging from 20-25 degrees Celsius.
But beware the Cape Doctor!
This is a strong, persistent, and dry south-easterly wind that blows along the South African coast during the summer months. It can reach speeds of over 30 knots and sometimes closes the cable car taking visitors to the top of Table Mountain, in Cape Town. It also causes a cloud formation that sits on top of Table Mountain and cascades over the edge like a “tablecloth” which is very popular with shutterbugs.
Read Also: Vila Nova de Gaia: A port lover’s paradise
Despite some windy days, South Africa checks all the right boxes for Canadian snowbirds.
As one of the world’s most diverse and beautiful destinations, South Africa offers a variety of experiences, from wildlife safaris and natural scenic wonders to vibrant cities and cultural heritage, to wine tourism, surfing and enjoying white sandy beaches.
The Cape coastline.
Also, English is an official language, so navigating what to see and do, where and what to eat, and interacting with locals is easy. English is one of the twelve official languages of South Africa – others include Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, and South African Sign Language to name a few.
Next, South African hospitality and service is top notch and often better than what Canadians are used to at home. Those working in the hospitality industry in South Africa are impeccably polite and well trained in food and beverage service. In fact, the tourism sector employs 1.8 million people (as of 2025). Five chefs in South Africa are recipients of Michelin stars and fine dining abounds throughout the Cape Winelands.
Of special interest is Cape Malay cuisine, deeply influenced by Malay and Javanese culinary traditions fused with Southeast Asian, African, and European influences. It’s characterized by rich uses of spices, and both sweet and savoury flavours.
Notable dishes include Bobotie: spiced minced meat topped with a béchamel sauce; Breyani: a layered rice dish with meat and vegetables, often served with a tomato and onion relish; Sosaties: skewered meat kebabs marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce. A South African barbecue or braai (pronounced bry) should not be missed.
Cape Winelands.
South African wine from the Cape Winelands is world class and affordable! From traditional method sparkling wine called Méthod Cap Classique (MCC), to crisp white wines like sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc and chardonnay to robust reds such as cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and pinotage – each region within the Cape Winelands offers a wide range of wine styles and grape varieties.
Wine tourism is well developed with hundreds of wineries to visit. Many are multi-generational family-run farms, with charming Dutch colonial architecture, and restaurants on site offering delectable luncheons.
If wine is not your thing, there is a thriving craft beer scene in South Africa with over 200 craft breweries and many annual craft beer festivals. Some of the most popular and acclaimed craft breweries include Devil’s Peak Brewing Company, Woodstock Brewery, Darling Brew, Cape Brewing Company, and Drifter Brewing Company.
Cape Dutch Architecture.
There is also an amazing array of domestic gin production. Coupled with a long history and a renewed global trend, South African gins use an abundance of wild foraged botanicals (such as fynbos, rooibos, buchu, and honeybush) resulting in unique and delicious flavours. Notable gin brands include Inverroche, Hope Distillery, and Kaiza 5. Cape Town is a hub for gin crafting, with numerous distilleries and gin bars.
The charming South African tradition of ‘sundowners’ involves enjoying a refreshing drink – like gin & tonic – at sunset, reflecting on the day’s activities, and enjoying the scenery.
Cape Town
The oldest and second largest city, Cape Town is also the seat of Parliament of South Africa.
Consider staying at a quiet, boutique hotel like The Cape Milner or at the waterfront, in the heart of activity at The Victoria & Alfred Hotel.
There is much to see and do in the city. Activities include the Cape Town City Heritage Walk, a trip to Robben Island Museum, the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens, penguin watching at Boulders Beach, and trolling for bargains and oddities at Milnerton Market – a bric-a-brac and antiques market.
Top three picks:
- Ride to the top of Table Mountain by Cable Car for spectacular views of the bay, the city and Robben Island (where Mandela, among other anti-apartheid leaders, was imprisoned for 18 out of his 27 years of captivity).
- Explore the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap, have lunch or better yet take a Malay cooking class in the Quarter.
- Spend some time walking, shopping, and eating at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It’s a vibrant scene of design stores, museums, restaurants, and attractions.
If time permits, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope are a great experience and about a 1.5 hour drive from Cape Town.
The Cape Winelands
Located in South Africa’s Western Cape province, the Cape Winelands are known for their extensive vineyards, world-class wines, historic towns and scenic beauty. These wine regions are easily accessible from Cape Town.
Stellenbosch
The largest and most famous of South Africa’s wine regions, Stellenbosch is also a lively university town. It’s chock full of of fine dining, bars, coffee and art shops as well as historic Cape Dutch architecture.
Cabernet Sauvignon is king in Stellenbosch.
Treat yourself to charming and comfortable accommodation at River Manor Boutique Hotel. With two pools, a library, parlour, dining room, and gardens, it is a relaxing haven after a busy day of sightseeing and wine tasting. It is also centrally located within easy walking distance to restaurants, shops and bars.
Discover a different side to Stellenbosch by exploring Kayamandi, the second oldest township in the country. The walking tour of Kayamandi, which means “nice home” in Xhosa, is done with a local guide and provides guests with a unique insight into the area’s complex and dynamic history and culture. Highlights include street art, the chance to meet local entrepreneurs and sampling traditional foods.
Cabernet sauvignon is king in Stellenbosch with 30 percent of the vineyards planted with this grape variety followed by syrah, merlot, and pinotage. Among white varieties sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, chardonnay, viognier and sémillon dominate.
There is no shortage of amazing wineries to explore. Recommendations include:
- Kaapzicht Wine Estate – rich cabernet sauvignons and red blends
- Kanonkop Wine Estate – pioneers of pinotage
- Stark-Condé – iconic single vineyard cabernet sauvignon (certified organic)
This year marks the 100th anniversary of pinotage – a cross of pinot noir and cinsault (developed in 1925 at Stellenbosch). South African winemakers have evolved in their handling of this great food wine, making a range of styles from lighter, fruitier ‘pinotesque’ versions to big, inky, iodine and mouth coating.
The Cape Blend is unique to South Africa and pinotage plays the lead role. Usually available in Canada, the Kadette Cape Blend (2022) is equal parts pinotage, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot (with 2% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot thrown in just for fun). The fruit from all varieties is fermented separately, aged 12 months in older oak barrels, and blended just before bottling.
The wine is aromatic, laced with violets and allspice while the palate shows fresh red berry fruit, plum, tobacco leaf and some earthy notes. It’s smooth and lively with fine-grained but firm tannins.
Paarl
This is the second largest wine district of the Cape Winelands with many well-known wine estates. It is also home to KWV (founded in 1918), a significant producer of wines and spirits with many brands and an impressive cellar in the middle of the town of Paarl.
Not to be missed is a lunch experience at The Table Restaurant on the De Meye Estate. The location is between Paarl and Stellenbosch towns. Dining al fresco under tree canopies, this is fine dining at its best. Hosted by Chef Brendan and wife Lee, the menu sampled included 15-hour braised free range Karoo lamb with celeriac and spring herb salad along side duck-fat roasted potatoes.
Al fresco dining at The Table Restaurant (De Meye Estate).
For the adventurous there is Wineland Ballooning – an hour of hot air ballooning over Paarl vineyards and close to the Drakenstein Mountains. For more sedate activities, enjoy a garden tea service with hostess Debbie Redelinhuys in town (Tea Under the Trees).
Franschhoek
A popular food and wine destination is Franschhoek (Afrikaans for French Corner). It’s a gorgeous town with colonial Dutch architecture, fine dining and shopping. Settled in 1688 by French Protestants – Huguenots – who were fleeing France due to persecution when King Louis XIV banned their religion. On the outskirts of town, there is a Huguenot Memorial Monument and museum.
A great alternative to driving, if wine tasting, is the Hop On-Hop Off Experience offered by the Franschhoek Wine Tram (https://winetram.co.za/) with several routes and twenty-eight wineries to choose from.
Looking for other things to see and do? You can create your own perfume at the Kumanov Perfumery (Africa’s first perfume museum).
Suggested wineries:
- Glenwood Vineyards – home of chardonnay
- Holden Manz Wine Estate – art, big reds & revival of sémillon
- Wildeberg – on the wild side with ancient bush vine sémillon
Wildeberg’s focus is on fresh, young and lighter style wines but they also have some very ancient sémillon bush vines (1905) to create layers of flavour and complexity. This blend of 80 percent sémillon and 20 percent sauvignon blanc (recently available through the LCBO in Ontario) is a richly textured wine. A bit shy on the nose but with some lemongrass and grapefruit notes. The palate offers a full mouthfeel, bright acidity, lanolin, lemon, fennel and bay leaf flavours. The finish is long with some citrus pith bitterness and light hints of oak.
Swartland and Tulbagh
While visiting these two neighbouring wine regions, consider staying at one of South Africa’s oldest hotels, The Royal Hotel (1862) in the small village of Riebeek Kasteel (near Malmsbury). Enjoy a gin & tonic on the front porch or stoep. The hotel bar has a selection of over 160 gins.
Saronsberg Winery wiew.
If you are travelling in April, a great place to taste and meet Swartland winemakers is by attending the Swartland Revolution wine festival. Keep an eye out for 2026 dates on their Instagram feed.
A stunning winery that should not be missed is Saronsberg Cellar. It’s a treat for the senses. Amazing scenery, sculpture and paintings for the eyes, delicious wines for the palate, and the air is scented with eucalyptus trees.
Saronsberg wines are available form Bottles & Barrels, a specialty importer of fine wines and spirits in Ontario. Of special note are Saronsberg Shiraz wines.
An easy drinking style, Provenance Shiraz is perfumed, fruity, and plush. The palate offers loads of cherry and red plum, with some baking spice and white pepper to make it interesting. The ripe, fine-grained tannins are nicely balanced by refreshing acidity and weighty mouthfeel.
Elgin
The newest and perhaps the most exciting wine region is Elgin. With it’s cool climate it was originally home to apple orchards. Now several enterprising and visionary winemakers are producing elegant chardonnay and pinot noir wines that challenge those of the more prestigious Hemel-en-Aarde to the south in Walker Bay.
A beautiful and handy location to stay while visiting Elgin is the Harbour House Hotel in the seaside town of Hermanus.
For a unique experience consider hiking along the Bot River. Bot River is part of the recently created Green Mountain Eco Route, the first biodiversity wine route in the world which meanders for 75 kilometres around the Green Mountain in the Overberg, including Elgin Valley. Look out for the herd of wild horses that live in the Bot River Lagoon area.
Dining al fresco is the way to go when in South Africa.
Another special experience is floating down the Klein River on the African Queen. The Klein River winds gently down to the Hermanus Lagoon through scenic countryside against a stunning mountain backdrop. There are 129 bird species recorded as being resident. The African Queen offers cruises on the river and can accommodate up to 32 persons with toilet & braai facilities on board.
Suggested wineries:
- Gabriëlskloof – Innovative winemaking, amphora cellar
- Creation Wines – top notch chardonnay and pinot noir wines, along side Rhône varieties
- Springfontein Wine Estate – a spiritual place, with a superb restaurant and a rare South African indigenous white grape variety, chenel (a cross of chenin blanc and ugni blanc)
A pioneer in the Elgin region, producer Paul Clüver captures the essence of Elgin terroir (cool climate and ancient schist soils) with this elegant and refined pinot noir wine. The Paul Clüver Family Wines Estate Pinot Noir 2022 (available through Buyers&Cellars in Ottawa) opens with cherry and raspberry fruit aromas followed by warm earth scents. On the palate the wine delivers juicy red fruit, some herbal notes, silky tannins and lively acidity. The finish is long with a hint of oak.
A few important considerations for travel to South Africa
- Direct flights to Cape Town are available from London (British Airways), Amsterdam (KLM), Paris (Air France), Frankfurt and Munich (South African Airways); there are no direct flights from Canada
- No visa requirement for Canadians
- Local currency is the South African Rand
- Check for recommended vaccines (e.g., Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies)
- Uber is safer and a cheaper option than taxis in Cape Town
- Crime rate can be high in the Cape due to unemployment (over 30%) and poverty
- Although Apartheid ended in 1990, the economic effects are still very much evident with many Black South Africans living in ‘townships’ on the outskirts of cities and towns because they cannot afford to live in them
- However, for every tourist to South Africa, 11 jobs are created
- Tour operators like Propel Africa (https://propelafrica.com/) and BK Wine Tours (https://www.bkwinetours.com/) make travel easy, safe, unique, and very enjoyable
– Lidija Biro has been a regular contributor with VineRoutes since 2023
