Cape Town Wineland
South Africa has gained an enviable reputation for its wines, first decanted here 350 years ago. Winemaking traditions from France, Germany and Italy have come together to create New World wines that make South Africa one of the top 10 wine-producing countries in the world.
With fertile valleys lined with neatly ordered vineyards, European-style whitewashed gabled farmhouses and rugged mountains framing the horizon, touring Cape Town’s Wineland is a stellar way to combine sightseeing and relaxing in this picturesque region.
The West Cape’s Mediterranean climate, with cold winters and sunny summers, is well suited to winegrowing, and the best-known wine regions are at Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington and Paarl. The signature red wine grape is pinotage, blending pinot noir and cinsault to produce an earthy, fruity drop. South African sparkling wines are also celebrated, and are known as Cap Classique.The classic pinotage wines come from Stellenbosch, which is also the most convenient wine region as it’s less than an hour from Cape Town. The region also produces well-regarded cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and shiraz reds, and chardonnay and oaked chenin blanc whites.
The Stellenbosch wine route passes the scenic wonders of Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak and beachside Muizenberg. It’s well worth spending time in the town of Stellenbosch itself, known for its university swagger, galleries, museums and restaurants. Vineyards to look out for around Stellenbosch include Neethlingshof, Delheim, Spier, Charmony, Merelust, Saxenburg, Welmoed and Delair.
Franschhoek and Paarl can be combined with Stellenbosch for a scenic wine route, passing the Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains. Paarl is known for its fortified wines and shiraz, and is the historic home of South Africa’s wine industry association, KWV.
Francophile Franschhoek is another historic town on the wine route, known for its Cap Classique bubbles, Semillon wines and superb French restaurants. Vineyards to look for include Graham Beck, Akkerdal, Grande Provence and Lynx.Latest Replies All Cape Town Wineland Reviews »
Guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable and versed in the history of the areas visited. Highly recommend this tour.
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Briliant helpful and informative. The amazing travel agent in Cape Town coordinated all our trips in Cape Town and could not have asked for a more helpful connection to a first time traveller in Cape Town.
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A lovely day. The scenery is breathtaking, the penguins are adorable and the wines were very good. The day was made even more enjoyable by our guide who had a great sense of humour.
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