Segways, Safaris and Sidecars: 3 Unique Ways to Experience Stellenbosch

After a week in Stellenbosch and visits to a total of 9 wineries, I have to say, this place knows how to keep things interesting!

One of the first things that struck me about Stellenbosch’s vineyards is the fact that they are very innovative in terms of how they showcase their wines. Over the course of our stay, we visited wineries that offered unique wine and dessert pairings, wineries that combined wine and art, and wineries that allowed us to create our own blends.

You’d think that a week of vineyard hopping would get repetitive, but on the contrary, every day we had something new to look forward to and no two wineries felt the same.

Today I’m continuing with that theme of unusual winery tours by highlighting 3 fun ways to experience Stellenbosch’s vineyards, because it turns out, you can get around via segways, safari-vehicles and sidecars.

Now let’s roll!

Segway ride at Spier Wine Farm

Spier is one of the oldest wine farms in Stellenbosch dating back to 1692, and it’s also a massive vineyard which would be impossible to cover on foot with limited time.

How do visitors tackle the place?

With segways, of course!

I have to admit, I was a little unsure about riding a segway at first. I was quite wobbly during the training session and it took me a while to find my balance, but it didn’t take that long before I was feeling like a pro.

Our tour of the Spier Wine Farm had us ripping down dirt roads, learning about the different grapes the farm grows, and soaking in the beautiful scenery. It was so much fun!

Just to clear things up, there was no wine consumption during the tour – imagine trying to keep your balance on a segway after a few glasses! – however, we did do a wine tasting afterwards, and that was followed by lunch at the Hoghouse, which I would highly recommend.

Hoghouse BBQ & Bakery is located on the Spier Wine Farm, and they specialise in American BBQ (not braai!), craft ales, and baked goods, so you can enjoy a delicious meal after your Segway tour.

Info: Rates for Segway Tour at Spier Wine Farm

Wine Safari at Jordan Wines

What comes to mind when you first hear the words ‘wine safari’? Wine and a game drive, am I right?

Well, not quite!

The name may have fooled me (ahem, I blame that on jet lag!) but it was a really fun experience nevertheless.

This particular tour took place at Jordan Wine Estate, where we hopped aboard a safari-style vehicle and toured the vineyard in style.

Jordan Wine Estate has a vast property that offers panoramic views of Table Mountain and False Bay, so we drove up to a few different lookout points and opened some bottles of wine along the way. The terrain on the property is quite varied with plenty of slopes, so there was quite a bit of hooting and hollering from our rowdy gang. Forget spotting the Big Five and hand over the Sauvignon!

It was about mid-morning by the time we finished the safari and we were all feeling at bit peckish, so we went straight to The Bakery, which is located on the estate and serves more than just baked goods.

We had a lovely spread of cheese, bread, deli meats, fruits, jams, and juices, all with some of the vineyard’s own wines. That’s right, we drank more wine after the wine tour, because when in Stellenbosch!

Info: List of wine tours at Jordan Wines

Sidecar tour of the Winelands

For a different look at Stellenbosch, we took a sidecar tour with Cape Sidecar Adventures. They run tours all over Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula, and the Cape Winelands, but you can also arrange for custom tours to get you from one point to the next, which is what we did.

We rode from Tokara Vineyards, where we had brunch, to Stellenbosch Wineries, where we squeezed in our final wine tasting.

Riding a sidecar may not have been a winery tour per se, but it did get us from one winery to the next, and visitors do have the option of doing a winelands tour and requesting certain stops along the way, so it’s a fun option to add to the list.

We took the scenic route doing a bit of sightseeing around Stellenbosch Town and waving at passers-by along the way. I think my fellow passenger made me quite popular, because did I mention I was riding with a dog?

Loving The Riding Life!

Yes, Cape Sidecars has a resident dog by the name of Brody, who loves the riding life!

He had a little bandana and goggles, and he was a real champ. We sat together in the sidecar – I rode in the front and he rode in the back – and Brody rested his little head on my shoulder for a good chunk of the ride. It was amazing and I took far too many selfies to remember him by.

Riding sidecars is the best, and when you have a fur friend with you, it’s even better.

Info: List of sidecar tours with Cape Sidecar Adventures

So that’s a look at some fun and unusual ways to experience Stellenbosch and a few of its wineries. As someone who has done many traditional vineyard tours in the past, it was so refreshing to discover a different way of doing things. If you’re looking to add a dash of adventure to your next vineyard tour, Stellenbosch is a good place to look!

Practical Sip‑n‑Spin Guide: Booking Tips, Perfect Timing & Extra Thrills

You’re already picturing yourself gliding past vines on a Segway, clinking glasses on a 4×4, or leaning into mountain bends in a vintage sidecar. Let’s make sure your Winelands daydream translates into a smooth, headache‑free reality.

When to Go & How to Plan a “Triple‑Threat” Day

Pro Itinerary:
• 09:00 – Segway tour at Spier (beat the heat)
• 11:30 – Jordan Wine Safari & Baker’s Board lunch
• 15:00 – Cape Sidecar transfer via Helshoogte Pass to your final tasting at Delaire Graff for bubbles at golden hour.

Booking & Budget Snapshot (Prices)

Tip: Many estates waive the tasting fee if you purchase two bottles—budget extra luggage allowance!

Getting There (and Home Safely)

• Self‑drive: Stellenbosch sits 50 minutes from Cape Town via the N1 or N2 motorways. Nominate a sober driver or download the Good Fellas chauffeur app (R440 flat fee to get you + car home).

• Train & Tuk‑Tuk: Metrorail from Cape Town (R45 return) then hop in an electric Tuk‑Tuk (R20 per ride) to bounce between central estates such as Lanzerac and Stark‑Condé.

• Guided Shuttle: Companies like Vine Hopper now offer hop‑on hop‑off minivans (R450 pp) that loop every hour—handy if you plan extra stops after your themed adventures.

Etiquette & “Wine Wellness” Tips

1. Spit or split. Sharing one tasting flight between two saves palate fatigue and rands.

2. Hydrate like it’s a sport. Most farms supply gratis mountain spring water—top up between pours.

3. Dress code: Smart‑casual works everywhere; Segway helmets fit best without wide‑brim hats. Closed shoes mandatory for the vineyard glide.

4. Tipping norm: 10 % for guides, R10‑R20 for pour‑room hosts if the fee was waived.

Make It an Overnight (You’ll Thank Yourself)

Bonus Adventures to Extend the Buzz

• E‑Bike Pinot Pedal – Silent, battery‑assisted cycles through Boschendal orchards (R690 pp).

• Wine & Bean Roasting – Craft‑your‑own coffee blend at Delheim followed by a Merlot pairing flight.

• Hot‑Air Balloon Over Helderberg – Launch at dawn, land to a Champagne sabrage lesson; bucket‑list material.

Which experience do you think you’d most enjoy?

Check out more of our adventures from South Africa!

I visited Stellenbosch as part of the #Stellenblog campaign organised by Destinate.