The Cape Winelands

The Winelands is a mountainous area very close to Cape Town. It has been producing excellent wines for over three hundred years. Wine

The Winelands is a place for enjoying life, eating, drinking, and appreciating both natural and man-made beauty. The scenery is stunning, and is matched by the Cape Dutch architecture of the historic wine estates.

There are dozens of wine estates. Most cater for visitors with cellar tours, wine tastings, restaurants, picnic lunches, coffee shops, and even wagon rides through the vineyards. The quality of food and wine is very high, and comes from a tradition of excellence brought by French and Dutch settlers.

If you feel a little guilty about enjoying the "pleasures of the flesh", you can walk in the lovely mountains, cycle, or ride a horse.

The Winelands area is well established as a tourism route. This has had a positive effect on the number and quality of facilities for visitors. However, the area retains a rural feel. The people of the Cape Winelands are extremely friendly and welcoming.

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch, about 30 minutes from Cape Town, is the second oldest town in South Africa. It was established in 1679. The town has a peaceful atmosphere, with many historic buildings, wide streets and oak trees. Stellenbosch University is an old and respected university. Its students give the town life.

Franschoek

Franschoek is a smaller town nestled between tall mountains. The name means "French corner", because the original settlers were from France. Due to the many excellent restaurants in the area, it is known as the culinary capital of the Western Cape.

Paarl & Somerset West

Other towns in the Winelands include Paarl and Somerset West. Above Paarl are the "Paarl Rocks" a strange mountain which dominates the skyline around the town. Somerset West also lies in the shadow of a large mountain. It is home to Vergelegen, one of the oldest and most beautiful wine estates in the Cape.

The Winelands is the best known of the Cape's wine routes. Yet, there are hundreds of interesting estates in several other regions close to Cape Town. Many of them produce superb wines and are as attractive as the Winelands.