South Africa Day 4: Cape Town Wine Tour!

On day 4 we were excited for another beautiful day in Cape Town, this time in the winelands!

We enjoyed the big buffet breakfast again- James declared that South Africa had the greatest breads he'd ever had anywhere. Our hotel made all their pastries in-house and I will say, the croissants looked spectacular. I haven't cheated on my gluten free diet once, but the croissants gave me a slight pause.

We met our lovely guide Anita in the lobby again at 9 am and drove north to Stellenbosch and the Winelands!

Our first stop was Spice Route, a huge winery with lush green hills, vines, and lot of things in addition to just wine!

Because I’m the only wine drinker in the family (and even I’m not that excited about wine at 10 am?), Anita arranged for tea and chocolate tastings for the family to start.

James was obsessed with the smells of all the teas, and, as he does every few years, he decided he was in fact a tea drinker and needed to purchase many varietals. I talked him down to two boxes. I don't like herbal tea (I'm a black only girl; no flavoring) unless I'm sick, but I did love the Rooibus so maybe one of us will actually drink these within the next five years. We tried four teas and each kid liked a different one best. (My fave was the black; no one else thought it should be ranked at all.)

Next up was a chocolate tasting at the same winery. Mine were curated to be gluten free and we all enjoyed our five pieces.

Then I actually sampled a few wines (so good) while Landon and Cora played on the playground and Claire hung out in front of the fire.

It was very cold, I was in heaven. There is nothing I love more than wine + cold + soft sweater + fire. Today's high in Dallas will be 103.

Stop 2 was the stunning Lanzerac Winery. Built in 1692, it's nestled in the rolling hills and mountains of the Western Cape. The woodwork, decor, and windows were all so beautiful throughout.

We had a great lunch in one of the dining rooms.

Then we had an archery lesson! I was certain I was a secret Katniss Everdeen, but while I did pop a target balloon, I could maybe use a few more lessons on hitting the actual target.

James and Landon won our boys v girls target contest, but it was really very almost close.

Next we hopped on e-bikes with a new guide (Anita laughed at me when I asked if she was going to bike with us) and pedaled our way to another stunning winery!

James and the kids had never done e-bikes before and they loved it. The views were just spectacular and it was so nice to move a little on our own (well, on our own with a little help).

Nestled (I know I already used that word, but it's perfect) in green hills and steep mountains, the winery I forgot the name of was SO beautiful. I felt like I was in Switzerland or Germany. Cape Town contains multitudes.

The kids (and James!) sampled rooibus teas and chocolate while I had some seriously good wine.

I mean, Cape Town/this wintery was so, so pretty.

Everyone loved the e-bikes so we opted for a longer pedal over stopping at another winery. It was such a beautiful fun day.

Once back at our hotel we walked to the waterfront for dinner at a place with the Guinness world record for number of milkshakes on the menu (215), did a little shopping, and were in bed by 10.

It was such a great day! And in the morning we'd be heading to Johannesburg to start our first safari!