One of the South Africa's best wine experiences is the Wine Tram in Cape Province's Franschhoek are. It makes use of a narrow-gauge track around the vineyards originally built for transporting fruit. Enterprising operator David Blyth has revived it for use by wine connoisseurs.
Franschhoek Wine Tram, CNN
Powered by bio-diesel —
The bio-diesel Wine Tram is based on the open-sided trams of the 1890s. It seats 32 passengers comfortably and has flip-over tram-style benches so visitors can enjoy the views in both directions.
Franschhoek Wine Tram, CNN
Al fresco dining —
Al fresco dining is part of the experience as the Wine Tram passes between the region's 14 estates via four differently colored routes.
Franschhoek Wine Tram, CNN
French Corner —
The Franschhoek region -- which means 'French Corner' in Afrikaans -- produces a varied crop, even extending to a surprisingly good Pinot Noir which normally needs cooler slopes.
Franschhoek Wine Tram, CNN
Huguenot history —
French signage in the district attests to the region's Huguenot history. Refugees from persecution settled in the area in the 17th century.
John Malathronas, CNN
Grande Provence —
The 300-year-old Grande Provence vineyard is a popular wedding venue and blends romantic Cape Dutch with modern design under the jagged edges of the Drakenstein mountain range.
John Malathronas, CNN
Holden-Manz —
Holden-Manz, a revitalized vineyard just 10 years old, offers great wines and spectacular views.
John Malathronas, CNN
Mountain scenery —
A mountain range looms over the vineyard at Holden Manz.
John Malathronas, CNN
La Couronne —
La Couronne vineyard is named after the passenger ship that transported the first Huguenots to the region.
John Malathronas, CNN
Vigneron at La Bourgogne —
Vigneron at La Bourgogne, Loesja Kock, says the Wine Tram provides "a constant wave of visitors. Plus I've met clients and made friends on the basis of a tasting."
John Malathronas, CNN
Mont Rochelle —
The Mont Rochelle vineyard belongs to Richard Branson. Its art deco wine cellars produce two signature wines: a Cabernet and a Shiraz.
John Malathronas, CNN
La Bourgogne bottles —
Bottles stacked in the cellars of La Bourgogne vineyard. "The tram was a blessing for us smaller farms," says proprietor Loesja Kock.
John Malathronas, CNN
Rickety Bridge —
Rickety Bridge estate dates from 1797 when it was granted to Paulina de Villiers, one of the first women landowners in South Africa.
Franschhoek Wine Tram, CNN
Sinful ice creams —
The Sinful range of ice creams: a local confectioner buys the wine and then mixes it with ice cream corresponding to white, rosé and red wine.
John Malathronas
Huguenot monument —
The imposing Huguenot monument in Franschhoek, another nod to the region's immigrant colonists.
John Malathronas, CNN
Cape Dutch —
French Huguenot colonists can trace their arrival back to 1688. Rich in viticulture history and producing some of South Africa's classic vintages, it is known for its distinctive Cape Dutch architecture.
John Malathronas, CNN
Gallic tradition —
Franschhoek is a town justifiably proud of its Gallic tradition. French names outnumber English ones on its shops signs and roads.
John Malathronas, CNN
Tram buses —
Tram buses make the connections between Wine Tram stops.
