With several local and nearby events dedicated to luxurious bubbles and a bevy of producers focused on fizz, Franschhoek is renowned for how elegantly it sparkles.

Visit the magnificent Elgin Valley that’s just an hour away from Cape Town and you’ll be delighted to find not only excellent wines to please every palette, but also activities that will enchant everyone from thrill seekers to city slickers seeking something off the beaten track.

Spring and Summer in South Africa is the ultimate time to hit the road in search of gorgeous gardens. From the natural splendour of the Namaqualand wild flowers, to perfectly manicured wine estates, and the national treasures of botanical gardens in between.

Our wine routes and valleys play host to a vast variety of gardens that can be experienced in many different ways.

Wines from Elgin lay claim to several overarching characteristics. Among the most prominent will be a cool climate, an interesting landscape and a fascinating history.

Wine is where art, science and nature meet and this month we experienced an urban oasis that embodies this belief: the Constantia Wine Route.

With the slopes of Table Mountain as the backdrop, each of the farms in the area create a truly unique wine with its own story.

Wine tourism can be a tough nut to crack. Being innovative and offering a wine tourism experience that is totally different is not an easy challenge.

But then, the team at Hazendal Wine Estate on the Bottelary sub-route of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes, does not shy away from challenges. And when they accept it, they believe in the saying: “go big or go home” as their latest additions proves: a luxurious Russian tea experience, an edutainment centre for children, an art gallery and restaurant.

This year the town of Tulbagh marks the 50th year since it experienced the most destructive earthquake in South Africa’s history.

The town was rebuilt and restored and feels like a meeting place of the old and the new. On Church Street you’ll find traditional Cape Dutch houses with green shuttered windows and at the end of the road you’ll be able to enjoy Bootlegger coffee and contemporary art at Makers Mark.

The South African winelands provide exciting experiences for lovers of wine, leave families with a lifetime of happy memories and provide a spectacular haven for those who seek new experiences, throughout winter. Here are a few of my favourite winelands experiences that are better in winter.

Make your way to Wellington's wine cellars this winter and expect to be welcomed by a soon-to-be familiar scene. A cosy fireplace, friendly faces and an assortment of wines to warm the heart. Add to this epic mountain views, good food and a short drive from Cape Town and you have the perfect weekend break ahead of you.

No road trip to the winelands is complete without pulling over for a pitstop at one of the characterful farm stalls en-route.

There are so many interesting and authentic farm stalls in South Africa – from tiny tin roof structures selling the farm’s own produce to mega sheds with anything from handmade decor to berry beer, wooden toys and of course, wine selections.

Several prominent events are about to put South African Chenin Blanc back in the spotlight. Clifford Roberts gives a brief rundown of the excitement driving the variety.

If there's a Ground Zero for South African wine, it must be Chenin Blanc. Few varieties have tracked our history from the start, become as ubiquitous and emerged as a shining light.

If there is one word that describes the Klein Karoo it would be ‘resilient’. The rugged beauty of the landscape surrounded by blue mountains offers an escape to a place where time seems to move slower, the air feels fresher and the stars shine brighter.

We recently took a road trip on Route 62 all the way from Montagu to De Rust, stopping at wine farms, cellars, and friendly farm stalls to tell you about our favourite finds. Be warned though, we lost our hearts in the Klein Karoo and chances are you will too.