Every year, I try to explore a new place or activity on my birthday. This year, we decided to spend the day in the winelands visiting wine farms on the Stellenbosch wine tractor experience. The hop-on, hop-off tractor experience takes you on a wine tasting experience to eight different farms. It’s a fun way through the back roads of the winelands, pulled on, you guessed it, a tractor.
Whether we are at a market, festival, or farm, I am always excited about tractor rides. It’s seems like such a small thing but anything that brings you joy deserves a high-five. Without fail, the rumbling sounds of the engine as it slowly but rhythmically trots along the dirt road, the not-so-smooth ride on the bench, and the occasional blowing horn always invoke the childlike spirit in me. So, when I heard about this wine experience, it was an immediate “yes” for me.
Stellenbosch Wine Tractor
The Stellenbosch Wine Tractor opened in 2024 and offers a unique way to visit wine farms in Stellenbosch. It is a hop on, hop off experience that takes you to eight different farms for wine tasting, snacks, or a nice meal. I heard a bit about the wine tractor last year. Then, I was reminded about it at the World Africa Travel Market when a representative handed me a flyer and said, “better than the tram.” After a good chuckle, I said I’d check it out.
The wine experience starts and ends at Eikendal Vineyards in Stellenbosch. We were greeted with a welcome glass of wine while we waited for our time slot. You can do a tasting here before you go on the tractor or leave this farm tasting to the end. We opted to start on the tractor and leave the tasting for last.
On the tractor, the friendly guides, some of whom are wine-makers, or students in the wine making industry, shared lovely titbits about wine, winemaking in the golden triangle and local tourism information. It was a different and fun way to explore parts of the winelands.
Some of the farms were closed for either private events or renovations. So, we enjoyed a wine tasting at Eikendal Vineyards, Grangehurst Wine Estate, Longridge Wine Estate and Peter Falke Wines. Each of these farms had a wine tasty designed for visitors on the tractor, which made it easy to pick the wines to taste. This is done so you have time to get back on the tractor.
Should you go on the Wine tractor?
Obviously, yes.
It is a lovely no frills way to for the whole family to explore the area. The tractor had all ages on board, which initially thought was odd but actually each place we visited had a catered children’s section. We joked that it was also a play tasting experience because there was something for kids at each place. There were also tasting options that were non alcoholic, so you could have fun even if wine wasn’t quite your thing.
We had about an hour and a bit at each farm and then we got back on the tractor for the next. On the upside, we essentially went through the whole afternoon with the same group of people which was fun because we ended up chatting, sharing and eating together. Friends for the day.
Our last stop was back to Eikendal Vineyards, where we had a final tasting. By then the sun was setting and honestly, I think the server was really over his day. And we let him off the hook and ordered fries and a bottle of champers for the new table. It was a fun day out.
How much is the Stellenbosch Wine Tractor Experience?
The wine tractor experience was R300 per person. We made the booking online through their website. the tasting along the way are for your account. There are also various packages on their website that include lunch and other addons. There is also a timetable to help you choose the best time. We started our tour around midday but next time, we’ll probably just do the whole day and include lunch. We did start to feel a bit rushed.
If you visit Stellenbosch, you will invariably end up at a lovely restaurant or wine farm. The novelty of the tractor ride makes it a lovely way to take in the scenic landscape of the golden triangle of the Stellenbosch wine region.
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