About the race
The FNB Wines2Whales is a three-day mountain bike stage event in the Overberg region of the Western Cape. The organiser describes it as more about the journey than the destination, and sells it as a fun, social race with plenty of "gees", the South African word for spirit.
History
The Epic Series, which also runs the Cape Epic, now looks after the event. In August 2026 the organiser announced that the race will join the UCI calendar from 2026. The organiser describes the route as running from the coast to the wines.
The course
The 2026 edition carries 187 km of riding and 3,750 m of climbing over three days. The organiser's description of the Switchback format shows the character of the route. Stage 1 starts at Benguela Cove with gravel roads and ocean views, and the historic Katpass is the day's main challenge before the finish at Oak Valley Wine Estate. Stage 2 is a "playday" at Oak Valley, mixing the estate's singletrack with trails at the Paul Cluver estate. Stage 3 runs from Oak Valley to Lourensford Wine Estate and includes a compulsory portage down the historic Wagon Trail, then passes through Idiom, Wedderwil and Vergelegen before finishing on the Canal Trail.
Three events
There are three versions, run in three separate weeks: the Chardonnay (6 to 8 November 2026), the Pinotage (9 to 11 November) and the Shiraz (13 to 15 November). The page shows the Chardonnay and Shiraz sold out, and the Pinotage also hosts two dedicated e-bike events.
Entry basics
Registration for 2026 is closed. The organiser's pages cover the startlist and seeding, rider rules, e-bike information and an FAQ for riders.
Where to watch
The organiser provides a spectator information page. Because the finish venues are wine estates such as Oak Valley and Lourensford, those are the natural places to meet riders at the end of each stage.
Weather
November is late spring in the Overberg and the Winelands. Conditions are typically mild to warm and drying out, though coastal wind and the occasional change in the weather are possible. This is a general seasonal description, not a forecast.
SourcesEpic Series: Wines2Whales