Stellenbosch Wine Tour - What You Need to Know...

Let me first preface by saying that I am no wine connoisseur. I do, however, know the best way to drink your way through wine country in Stellenbosch, South Africa. If you're up for the challenge that is.

Lately I've been dreaming about a trip to France's Champagne region to drink my self silly on the bubbly stuff. Alas, I am sitting on my couch in my PJs with HGTV on in the background, snacking on pretzels as I write this. So glamorous.

Then my mind wanders to that time we toured the famous wine region in Stellenbosch, South Africa. And it was pretty amazing.

There are a few things you need to know though. So here you have it...

// How to Drink Your Way Through Stellenbosch //

1 // Do the bike tour.

Why? No driving. That's why. And you have a guide to take all the guess work out of it. Because let's be honest, after the second or third winery (or first if you're a lush like me) you won't have the brain power necessary to utilize a map of the Stellenbosch wine region.

2 // Get fit. Before you go.

I learned something very important on our bike tour of Stellenbosch, just because you are slim doesn't mean you are fit. The first hill we traversed saw me huffing and puffing like a chain smoker (which I am not). E (my fiancé at the time) had to push my bike with one hand while women 3x my size and age were whizzing past me.

But here's the kicker...we hadn't even made it to the first winery. Needless to say, I couldn't move the next morning.

I've made exercise a routine part of my life ever since.

Wishing I could trade in my bike for the 'wine wagon'.

3 // Don't pet the Cheetahs.

Wild cheetahs and zebras? Yeah, just another reason why doing a bike and wine tour of Stellenbosch is so freaking amazing.

One of our stops was a place called Vrendenheim (say that three times fast), a wildlife sanctuary AND winery. Brilliant.

Please mind the signs. They are serious about that....ahem...my grown ass fiancé was yelled at for tickling the cheetah through the fence. One of those 'I don't know that guy' moments.

4 // Stop and enjoy the view.

Because it's pretty phenomenal. This is why you really must take a wine tour of Stellenbosch versus any other type of tour. The views are priceless and breathtaking.

And that's just Stellenbosch. Capetown and Sabi Sands were just as spectacular.

Bonus? You've just burned about a million calories by pedaling anywhere from 9-20km. As if you needed another reason to justify the large amounts of alcohol and cheese you will be consuming.

From one non-wine-snob to another, biking Stellenbosch is the perfect way to create amazing memories with no wine knowledge required.

Hopefully, very soon, I'll be writing you a post about touring the Champagne region in France. Until then, share your favorite wine tour stories below and help fuel my travel dreams!