South Africa produces some of the world's best wines.

South Africa produces some of the world's best wines, many of which holidaymakers will already be familiar with from home.  There are many wine routes in the Cape Winelands that the discerning tourist or wine connoisseur can follow, and listed below are a few of the more well-known ones.

Some estates are open by appointment only, but others have wine tastings, cellar tours, and restaurants serving lunches which are open daily to anyone passing by. 

Click on the links below to see a selection of wine estates in each wine region, some of which may already be firm favourites, and other certainly worthy of an investigation.

 

Stellenbosch

The Stellenbosch Wine Route is one of South Africa's premier wine producing regions, and can boast winning 70% of all the major wine awards and acolades (both locally and internationally) presented to the South African wine industry every year. 

One of the most popular wineries, Neethlingshof offers wine tasting, and cellar tours and estate tours by prior arrangement.  Rustenberg wines signifies modern winemaking wrapped in a history of tradition. 

Superb wines and a lovely setting make this a wonderful winery to visit.  One of the largest wineries in the region, Spier consistently delivers award-winning wines. When on the Zevenwacht farm, head towards the restaurant, overlooking the lake, and relax with a bottle of your newly discovered Zevenwacht wine over a wonderful lunch.  These are only some of the wonderful wines that can be enjoyed in Stellenbosch.

Read more about the Stellenbosch wine route.

Franschhoek

The Franschhoek Wine Route lies deep in the Cape Winelands, amidst gracious Cape Dutch farmsteads and majestic mountains. One of the oldest wine estates in the region, Boschendal has an elegant restaurant in the old wine cellars is renowned for its excellent cuisine .

La Motte’s approach to quality reaches beyond the production of world-class wines.

The unique charm of the wines comes from the soil types, a moderate climate as well as a team of dedicated experts who keep ahead of international viticultural and vinicultural practices. Cabrière is famous for its wine tasting and tours and Chamonix has produced award-winning wines.

Read more about the Franschhoek wine route.

Paarl

The Paarl Wine Route is home to the largest co-operative wine cellar in the world - KWV (Kooperatiewe Wijnbouwers Vereeniging), covering an area of 22 hectares.  Cellar tours include a visit to the 5 largest vats in the world, and also take in the hand-carved vats in the renowned Cathedral Cellar, and end with an informal wine tasting session of the award-winning wines and brandies which are today available in over 50 countries world-wide.

As far back as its earliest years of production, Simonsvlei and its wines have been honoured at the highest levels, time and time again. Seidelberg is one of the Wineland's most spectacular views makes this winery the perfect setting for your Wineland's experience.

The Boland wine centre is the No 1 Reserve range of wines is the product of carefully selected grapes and wine from vineyards that have a proven history of excellence. Lastly, With a history of wine producing of over 200 years, Nederburg produces a vast range of award-winning dry, off-dry and semi-sweet white wines, as well as red wines, sparkling wines and sweet wines.

The Wellington Wine Route is only a short 70km drive from Cape Town, and the excellent soils and climate produce some extremely fine wine.

Read more about the Paarl wine route.

Bovlei

Bovlei is the second oldest co-operative winery in South Africa, and over the y Welvanpas has been the home of the Retief family for 7 generations - amongst them the famous Voortrekker leader Piet Retief.  ears has produced some award-winning wines. Jacaranda produces a range of natural wines.

Constantia

The wine growing area of Constantia is not only the oldest in South Africa, it is also possibly one of the prettiest. 

The oldest wine estate in South Africa, Groot Constantia has the Jonkerhuis Restaurant which offers tasty traditional Cape Malay dishes for a hearty lunch or dinner.

Klein Constantia estate, part of the farm that produced the Constantia wine prized by Europe's aristocracy in the 18th century, is considered one of South Africa's premier crus .

Wines are grown, made and bottled on the estate, and they produce some excellent Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. In Steenberg's traditional gravity-fed barrel cellar, the wines mature in the finest tight grain French oak. Constantia Uitsig (meaning "Constantia View") produces award winning wines.

Read more about the Constantia wine route.

 

Robertson Valley

The Robertson Valley is less than 2 hours drive from Cape Town, and is becoming the new hero of the South African wine producing regions. 

The lime-rich soils and unique climate give the region the natural attributes to produce outstanding wines, coupled with specific planting of grape varieties suitable to the soil.

Home to amazing winery's such as Graham Beck, Robertson Winery, Bon Courage and Springfield Estate, this region offers Near to Swellendam, and with the beautiful backdrop of the Langeberg mountain range, this is an exceptionally pleasant area to visit.  The 31 wineries are all situated close to one another, and over two-thirds of them are open to the public. 

Read more about the Robertson Valley wine route.