Bernie Van Der Linde
The Franschhoek Motor Museum has over 100 years of automotive history.
Cars and wine don’t usually mix well, yet at Rupert Wine Farm, they create the perfect match!
Antonij Rupert and wine are like Ben and Jerry or Popeye and Olive Oil—household names loved by all! If you are unfamiliar with Anthonij Rupert wines, the Franschhoek Motor Museum, or their Estate Experience, then this article is for you.
Since my husband and I bought our house in Melkbosstrand and Petra her apartment in Bloubergstrand, we have been on a mission to explore wine farms. In and around Cape Town, we are discovering hidden gems. From unique wine farm experiences and wine tastings, we will share all our findings with you.
Did you know there are over 110 wine farms in the vicinity of Cape Town? We were as surprised as you until we stumbled upon a fascinating wine book. There is such a plethora of wineries to choose from. Therefore we are excited to uncover the ones that offer unique experiences and breathtaking sceneries.
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Bernie Van Der Linde
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A day trip to the Franschhoek Motor Museum and Rupert Wine Farms
In the first week of May 2024, Petra and I were fortunate enough to be granted a guided tour by the Estate’s Operational Manager, Morne Wessels, to experience one of the most prestigious and prominent wine farms in South Africa.
We were invited to an exclusive and unique experience known as their Estate Experience. In this article, we share with you what to expect from this unique experience. Included are the costs involved and, of course, the highlights you cannot afford to miss.
Where is the Franschhoek Motormuseum and Antonij Rupert Wine Estate?
The Antonij Rupert Wyne Estate, a true marvel, is nestled in the heart of the picturesque Cape Winelands, approximately 64 km from Cape Town City centre. The Estate is a harmonious blend of two distinct historical farms: L’Ormarins and Antonij Rupert Rupert Estate, both of which are perched on the slopes of the majestic Great Drakenstein Mountain range, offering a breathtaking backdrop for your winetasting journey.
If you are unable to visit the Estate but would like to sample some of their world-renowned wines, they have a superb online shop.
About the Antonij Rupert Wine Estate
The Estate houses two tasting rooms, four state-of-the-art cellars, a blooming oasis of roses, 360-degree vineyards, the Franschhoek Motor Museum, and the Drakenstein Stud Farm. Its portfolio of wines includes Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Cape of Good Hope Wines (for which our audience received a promotion discount code a while back), Jean Roi, L’Ormarins, Protea, and Terra Del Capo. Here, visitors can indulge in a wide range of wine-tasting experiences, each offering a unique and delightful journey through the world of wines. Click here for more information.
What is included in the Estate Package?
The Franschhoek Motor Museum Wine Estate Package includes a visit to the Franschhoek Motor Museum and two wine tastings, one in the Terre Del Capo Tasting Room and the other in the exclusive Antonij Rupert Tasting Room. The package includes lunch at the exceptional Terra Del Capo Antipasti Bar.
The tour lasts about four hours, with limited walking as the Estate transports guests on their Wine Tram through breathtaking scenery on the farm. The tram operates between the two venues and works on a hop-on-hop-off basis.
We booked for the 11:00 session on a Tuesday morning in May. Our tour started at the Franschhoek Motor Museum.
The Franschhoek Motor Museum
The Franschhoek Motor Museum (FMM) is located on the magnificent L’Ormarins Estate. The museum offers a world-class experience not only for vintage car lovers, motorsport enthusiasts, or even aesthetes (lovers of art and beauty). It is also ideal for travellers who enjoy admiring the Cape Dutch architecture, which is a key characteristic of the area, and travellers (like us) who enjoy reminiscing about the ‘good old days’.
It also provides the perfect weekend outing for the entire family. The FFM exhibits the biggest collection of cars in South Africa, with over an astonishing 2,700 m2 surface. The immaculate collection is truly an exceptional tribute to the Rupert family’s passion for cars.
Is the Franschhoek Motor Museum worth visiting?
Absolutely! The FMM enables visitors to refresh their memory of more than a century of motorcar history. Petra and I enjoyed strolling through the four grandeur halls, each with a unique selection of about 20 vehicles ranging from rare to supercars. From the rarest 1898 Beeston motor tricycle to a 2003 Ferrari Enzo, there is guaranteed one to spike your revs (for car novices, it means RPM or revolutions).
We thoroughly enjoyed admiring the vintage cars, sports cars, motorbikes, and even bicycles. We were amazed to learn that about 240 cars are still in storage(besides the ones on exhibition) and are regularly rotated throughout the halls. The hall comprises a meticulous selection of cars arranged either by chronological order or theme (such as period, colours, or type of motor vehicle, such as motorsport).
What are the fees for the Franschhoek Motor Museum Wine Estate?
The cost of visiting the museum only (if you don’t wish to do a wine tasting too) is R80 or 4 euros per person. There are six timeslots per day on the hour starting at 10:00, and the last one is at 15:00. To book a visit to the museum, click on this link.
Good to know: The museum can only be viewed by appointment. Drones and pets are not allowed on the Estate. Pensioners receive a discount.
A visit to Terra Del Capo: Cheese and wine pairing
From the museum, we hopped on the Estate’s tram. Our driver, Shaun James, took us around the Estate to our first location, Terra Del Capo, to enjoy a true Italian food and wine experience. We were given a map of Italy to see where the cheeses originate from, which were paired with the Estate’s Terra Del Capo range.
Here, we met the charming Elbré van Rhyn, a passionate wine connoisseur. He educated us on the types of grapes and the factors that contribute to making excellent wine. When I questioned him about his passion for his work, he also shared some interesting facts about working for the Rupert farms with us.
The Ruperts value their team
As an avid HR Master Practitioner, I am always curious to know a bit more about the people responsible for the success of an establishment. I was blown away by the fact that each of the 400+ employees of the Estate receives an individual performance appraisal annually (having close to 40 staff members, I admire their commitment to show appreciation for their staff’s efforts). In addition, we learned that each employee receives a loaf of bread on Mondays and Wednesdays and two loaves each on Fridays. Now, if you are good with maths, you will realise this is close to 83,200 loaves of bread annually.
This gesture reminded us that the smallest form of appreciation sometimes makes the biggest difference in uplifting and supporting a community.
The Anthonij Rupert Tasting Room
From there, we were escorted to their Italian restaurant, Terra Del Capo, where we enjoyed an amazing lunch. Please view the photos of our delectable meals in our gallery.
After lunch, we hopped on the tram again, which took us to the Anthonij Rupert Tasting Room. Here, we met up with another wine expert (read incredible teacher). This amazing lady (apologies for not remembering her name) educated us on some of the lingos used when tasting wines. We learned about wine being ‘shy on the nose’ (when the wine gets more oxygen, it is less shy…haha), ‘depth of flavour’, ‘a dry long finish’ and the one we liked the most ‘palate fatigue’ (this usually happens when you reach the end of your tasting experience).
So, if you feel half as intimidated as we did before our wine-tasting journey started at Antonij Ruper Wine Farm, rest assured, this is the place to go if you want to upskill your wine knowledge.
What to expect from the Anthonij Rupert red wine tasting?
We experienced the Anthonij Rupert red wine tasting from their flagship wine range. We sampled the Anthonij Rupert Optima, Anthonij Rupert Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Anthonij Rupert Syrah (our winner of the day). Apparently, guests come from all outskirts to taste the Cabernet Franc, which is one of the most sought-after wines. We also loved the accompanying Charcuterie platter (a wooden board consisting of a selection of cheeses and cold meats).
What is the cost of the Rupert red wine tasting?
This red wine experience costs R190 or 10 euros per person. There are seven timeslots daily, starting at 10:00 and the last one is at 16:00. You can book this winetasting by clicking on this link.
Good to know: The dress code is smart casual (you will understand why when you see the classy setting). A camera is essential to capture the beauty of the majestic Manor House and the beautifully manicured gardens. We could not get enough photos of the tasteful interior of the Manor House.
Is the Franschhoek Motor Museum and Anthonij Rupert wine tasting worth it?
Our day ended on a very high note as we were taken back to our starting point at the Franschhoek Motor Museum. Petra and I have visited several exceptional wine farms before, yet we can honestly say that Antonij Rupert’s Wine tastings tower head and shoulders above the rest.
We so enjoyed learning about wine that we recently booked a short course with the Cape Wine Academy. If you are keen to learn more about viticulture, which includes grape variety, wine origins, and how to assess what is in your glass, we highly recommend visiting a winery.
Good to know: The Estate Package is not weather-dependent. Only electronic payments are accepted for bookings.
How much is the Estate Package of Antonij Rupert Wines?
The price for the Estate Package is R695, about 35 Euros.
What are the available time slots for the Estate Package?
Tuesday to Sunday, visitors can either join from 10.00 until 14:00, 11:00 until 15:00 or 12:00 until 16:00. Note that the Manor House is closed on Sundays. The entire Estate is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
How can we make a booking for the Estate Package?
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Until next time, Bernie and Petra
