Since the end of the trade embargos that were imposed while South Africa was under apartheid, the country has now become one of the major producers and exporters of wines worldwide.
However, wines have been produced here since the middle of the 17th century, making South Africa the oldest wine producing region outside of Europe and the Mediterranean.
The first vineyard was planted by Jan van Riebeeck at the Cape in 1655, and in early 1659, the first wine was pressed.
Click here to ask us to plan an itinerary for you including the Cape Winelands as part of your trip to SA.
Climate and Architecture
The climate around the Cape is ideal for the cultivation of vines - cool winters with plenty of rain, followed by long summer days to help ripen the grapes.
The mountain slopes and valleys not only provide a dramatic background, but also form the ideal habitat for the wine grape.
The classic Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian style architecture around the area are some of the oldest surviving in South Africa, in particular in Stellenbosch, which has some of the best examples of Cape Dutch architecture in the country.
Wine Routes
The major wine producing areas in the Cape Winelands region are around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Wellington and Constantia, with literally scores of vineyards and wine estates. There are well established wine routes in each of the major areas which take in a wide range of wineries producing different styles of wine, and many with excellent restaurants.
Some may already be familiar names - Spier, Boschendal, Ken Forrester and Neethlingshof to name a few.
Slightly further afield, but still only a 2 hour drive from Cape Town, are Swellendam and the wineries of the Robertson Valley. Although not 'strictly' in the Cape Winelands, the Robertson Valley is home nevertheless to many fine wineries set in a valley.
A Tasteful Experience
In all of the regions, many of the wine estates have wine tastings, cellar tours, and restaurants serving lunches which are open daily to anyone passing by, but some are only open by appointment only.
Whichever wine region you choose to visit, staying a couple of nights will give you the chance to either search out the labels you are familiar with from home or to go on a voyage of discovery and find new favourites, as well as taking time to explore the many other attractions on offer.
Being so close to Cape Town, the Winelands really are a wonderful place to spend your last few nights in South Africa, if flying home from Cape Town International Airport. Click here to see our portfolio of accommodation in the Winelands that you can book directly through this website.
