South
Africa - Day 19
Monday 9th February 2026
Participants: Kev & Tam
There's only 2 days of our holiday left. We experienced heavy rain and very loud thunder overnight and it's still raining when we get up at 7.30 am. The forecast is not great, but that's not going to stop us having a good time as we're doing our second day on the wine tram, the blue line this time.
Our first stop is at Maison. We are the only ones that get off the tram and the only people in the tasting room. I don't know why after all it's just past 10 o'clock. Time for wine surely? This is a much smaller place and there are chickens running around outside. We decide to share the 6 wine tasting at 200 Rand (approx £9). It's all very pleasant and a nice quiet way to start our tour.
The next stop is Paserene. This is much more modern and we're surprised at how attractive the building and gardens are. I try the signature reds while Tam has the wine and liquorice pairings. There's passionfruit, salted caramel and blackcurrant liquorice. All are covered in chocolate and Tam is definitely in her element and has to buy some to take home with her.
On to Holden Manz. It's at this point that
the wheels start to come off the wine tasting bus! We order some
oxtail croquettes to share and these are possibly the worst thing
we've had since being in South Africa as they're overcooked and
not really very nice. We both order a wine tasting and think
we're getting 3 wines each. Not quite. Tam ends up with 6 red
wines and I manage to somehow receive 8! All very pleasant, but
more than we were anticipating,
It's a nice enough place and would probably be much better in
nicer weather when you can sit outside. Having said that the
weather has definitely improved. and there's lots of blue sky and
sunshine.
The rather disappointing balls.
That's a lot of empty glasses.
Back on the tram to our last stop of the day Grande Provence. Tam later reveals that she can't remember any of the tram ride and that much becomes evident when we decide that we should probably have a soft drink here. Unfortunately it's a bit too late for Tam, let's just say that she's a little unwell and leave it at that. It's a real shame as this is probably the nicest of all the estates we've visited today. Once again there are sculptures everywhere and even a full blown art gallery. It really is very beautiful especially with the mountains providing a spectacular backdrop.
We decide that discretion is the better part of valour and call an Uber to take us home where we spend a couple of hours relaxing. By this I mean Tam falls instantly asleep on the sunbed by the pool feeling rather sorry for herself.
Around 8.30 pm I'm feeling a bit hungry, Tam not so much so, but she comes out with me anyway and we manage to get an outside table at Cafe Du Vin as it's approaching closing time for most of the restaurants. I have chicken and chips and Tam manages to eat some of her vegetable quiche with salad.
I guess this sums up the end of the day. I'm out of focus and appear to have gone slightly cross eyed.
Back to bed at 10.00 pm. Another lovely day although we might have overdone the wine tastings a tad!