Day wine tour with one of South Africa's foremost wine experts, Pietman Retief

9h00 Start the day in Stellenbosch with the “Mountains of Africa” as a backdrop. The early Dutch found the mountains extremely difficult to cross, and apart from individual horse-back enterprises it took them some 50 years before they managed to get on the otherside by ox wagon. We will chat about the geography of the valley and why grapes have been growing here since the 1680s, after the early 15 litres that were made in 1659, exactly 350 years ago.

9h30 Visit the House of JC le Roux in Devon Valley. JC le Roux has become famous for its outstanding Cap Classique (Champagne) sparkling wines. Start the day with a video explaining the technique of how to capture the bubbles in the bottle during the second fermentation, to be followed by a tasting led by a wine fundi. Do the sabrag - knocking off the cork with a sword.

10h45 Visit the Bergkelder, a picturesque cellar in the mountain See a video explaining the reason for wine being made in the region, the terroir that suits the style of wine, the noble varieties South Africa produces, to be followed by a tasting of different varieties. Walk down the long passage with wine that has been laid down for maturation, and the see the art works carved out of French oak barrels.

12h00 After going through two learning sessions, a visit to Uitkyk (Lookout) is to follow. See an 18th century homestead designed as a town house for Cape Town, but as a result of specific circumstances was built in the country. Taste some excellent wines, white and red, and even try one of the best brandies in the country, if available.

13h00 Depart Uitkyk for lunch at the famous Morgenhof Estate owned by the Cointreau family of France. With two estates in Cognac and two estates in the Champagne region Madame Cointreau has utilised her expertise to develop this 18th century estate in Africa.

14h30 Visit Tokara up on the hill called Helshoogte. (Hells Hights) Taste a variety of Sauvignon blancs from the different regions that Tokara represents. But also see Table Mountain in the distance to understand the Cape Flats lying between Cape Town and Stellenbosch, and see Stellenbosch lying below in one of the prettiest of valleys.

15h30 Visit Neil Ellis, arguably the best sauvignon blanc producer in the Cape, meet him personally, and get him to explain the the role of terroir on the grapes. When finished, drive down the valley and meet neighbout Etienne le Riche, a little family owned producer, and taste his award winning wines in the smallest of cellars.

17h30 Drive back to Stellenbosch for a walking tour of the historic village which was founded in 1679. See the different styles of architecture named after English royalty, Georgian, Edwardian, Victorian . Visit period houses showing the different fashions in clothing, furnishing, cutlery etc from 1710 through the different stages to the present.

18h00 End the day on the side walk of one of the historic streets and enjoy a bottle of wine with the locals.

The area of Stellenbosch is full of fantastic "extras". We can try and fit in as many of these as is possible - when booking, let me know if any appeal particularly!

1 Visit the Village Museum to establish what the Europeans went through during their settlement at the cape.

2 Visit the Rupert Art Museum and see some 29 Rodin sculptures amongst the best of South African art, or pop in to various other art museums for quality collections.

3 Have a tradional snoek-braai on one of the wine estates.

4 Have a picnic at one of five wine estates.

5 Walk through the spectacular natural vegetation under guidance and see the Proteas in bloom.

6 Visit a working and award winning brandy distillery and taste the brandy that has won the award of Best Brandy in the World in London five times over the last seven years.

This is Pietman Retief:

Born and bred in the Boland. Educated in Wellington and at the University of Stellenbosch.

From 1971 was employed by the Distillers Corporation in Stellenbosch in various capacities culminating as director and head of public relations. As Client Services Director, Pietman led 12 overseas tours to various parts of the world, representing all facets and cultures of South Africa as part of the promotion of the country’s ‘Wine Revolution’.

Was responsible for the opening of the Wine Museum, Brandy Museum and the Van Ryn Brandy Cellar in the early 80s.

Assist with inauguration of South African Brandy Foundation in 1984 and from 1994 was Director, engaged in TV, radio, seminars and lectures countrywide promoting the image of brandy.

Since retirement at the beginning of 2006 has been communication and cultural consultant to the wine and tourism industries.

Other interests

From 1989/90 was General Manager of the SA Rugby Board.

Historical buildings and architecture sparked off by the responsibility for restoring the Oude Drostdy in Tulbagh and the Drostdy Hotel in Graaf Reinet in conjunction with Historic Homes of SA.

Founder and Life Member of the Stellenbosch Tourism & Information.

Member of the Western Cape Tourism Board and Cape Town Routes Unlimited.

Chairman of the Wine Tourism Steering Committee.

Pietman has recently been recognised in the 2009 Welcome Awards for exceptional service provided to the South African tourism market.