Tailor-made tours and safaris to Southern Africa
THE CAPE WINELANDS
Just 45 minutes' drive from Cape Town, nestled between craggy mountain ranges, lie the verdant valleys of the Cape Winelands; this idyllic landscape provides the setting for South Africa's oldest and most esteemed private wine estates. The history of wine making in South Africa dates back to the arrival of Jan van Riebeek, the very first vines being planted in 1655. The art of viticulture took a quantum leap forward with the arrival of French Huguenots in 1688, driven from Europe by religious persecution. The mild climate and fertile soils are important factors in the high quality of Cape wines; their most characteristic feature is variety - the complex array of micro-climates in the area that has produced the unmatched diversity of the Cape Fynbos floral kingdom also lies at the heart of the wonderful variety of Cape wines.
Today there are a number of 'wine routes' throughout the Western Cape Province. These 'routes' will take you to all the top producers in the area, where you can enjoy wine tasting, cellar tours, and meals, as well the gracious Cape-Dutch buildings and their beautiful surroundings. Depending on your time and level of interest, you could spend weeks travelling all over the Cape visiting wine estates; the three most famous 'routes' are those around Stellenbosch, Franschoek, and Paarl. If you have more time, Constantia and Walker Bay are home to some fantastic estates as well. If you are serious about wine, or would rather enjoy wine tasting without having to drive, consider a tour of the Winelands with one of the many companies that offer Wineland tours.
Stellenbosch is South Africa's second oldest town (after Cape Town). It was founded by the second Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, who quickly realized the wine-growing potential of the Stellenbosch area, and actively promoted wine production throughout the new colony. Stellenbosch itself is a wonderful town, with oak-lined avenues (the trees were planted in 1679 and are national monuments) boasting some of South Africa's finest historical dwellings and excellent examples of Cape-Dutch architecture, as well as buildings from the Batavian, Georgian, and Victorian periods. Dorp Street, the 'Braak' (village square), and Stellenbosch Village Museum are focal points.
There are 29 estates on the Stellenbosch wine route, of which Neethlingshof, Simonsig, Spier, Saxenburg, Blaauwklippen, Eikendal, Jordan, and Morgenhof are highlights. During the summer months, the Lanzerac Hotel (a well-preserved 300 year-old Cape Dutch homestead - call 021 887 1132) offers fabulous cheese and wine lunches on its ample lawns; on cool or wet days, coffee and cheesecake in the cozy Craven Room are a highlight. In summer months, ask about the outdoor opera series at Spier estate (021 881 3321). Outdoor activities around Stellenbosch include walking and hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and golf.
For more info: www.wineroute.co.za
The charming little town of Franschoek owes its name to the French Huguenots who settled there in 1688. They immediately immersed themselves into wine production and, to this day, the Franschoek area boasts some of South Africa's top wine estates. There are 21 estates belonging to the Vignerons de Franschoek; some of the most well-recognized are L'Ormarins, Boschendal, Bellingham, Cabrière, and La Motte. If you have time, stop for a cup of coffee at a side-walk café in the town itself, and visit the Huguenot Museum. Franschoek is the self-declared 'food and wine capital of the Cape'.
During summer, picnics under the oak trees at Boschendal are a highlight (021 870 4211). The restaurant at Le Quartier Français offers some of the Cape's finest cuisine (reservations may be necessary, especially in summer - call 021 876 2151). Outdoor activities around Franschoek include walking and hiking, mountain-biking, horse-back riding, and trout fishing.
For more info: www.franschhoekwines.co.za and www.franschhoek.org.za
Situated in the Berg River valley, at the base of the craggy Drakenstein Mountains, Paarl offers a wide range of wines. The headquarters of the KWV, La Concorde, is situated in Paarl. Their cellar complex is one of the largest in the world. Highly commended Paarl wine estates include Backsberg, Fairview, Nederburg, and Simonsvlei; Paarl also has two estates on the 'brandy route', Backsberg and Paarl Rock (Brandy enthusiasts might also want to visit Van Ryn and Oude Molen in Stellenbosch). Paarl's main street (nearly 8 miles long) is the longest main street in the southern hemisphere and, in parts, is lined with wonderful 18th and 19th century architecture, although the town itself is bigger and less appealing than Stellenbosch and Franschoek.
For cultural insight, visit the 'Taal' Monument and Museum celebrating the Afrikaans Language (arguably the world's youngest comprehensive language). The Grand Roche (021 863 2727), in Paarl itself, boasts some of the Cape's most exclusive (and expensive) wines, cigars, and food in a very formal atmosphere. For a simpler and more hearty (and very special) culinary experience, the Minkley Family will host you for a five course dinner with selected wines at the historic Roggeland manor house (021 868 2501). Outdoor activities around Paarl include walking and hiking, hot-air ballooning, mountain-biking, horse-back riding, golf, and fishing for trout and bass.
For more info: www.paarlwine.co.za
Constantia, the oldest of the Cape's wine regions, is just a few minutes' drive from Cape Town. Oldest of all estates is Steenberg (now an exclusive country-house hotel), where you can sample wines and enjoy fabulous cuisine (bookings may be necessary in summer - call 021 713 2222); the historic manor house is a fantastic example of Cape-Dutch architecture, and the old slave bell in the beautiful courtyard is a reminder of the less humane aspects of Cape history. The most famous estate is Groot Constantia (boasting the highest gables in the Cape, and a wonderful museum) but try to get there early and beat the crowds - due to its fame and proximity to Cape Town, Groot Constantia draws many tourists. Buitenverwacht and Klein Constantia are also top grade estates.
For more info: www.constantiawineroute.co.za
Unlike the preceding wine routes, the estates in the Walker Bay area have very little history behind them. They are relatively new estates, but are rapidly acquiring a reputation for some fantastic and innovative wines. Two of the leading Walker Bay estates are Hamilton Russell, and Bouchard Finlayson. Walker Bay itself is a relatively short drive from the estates, and is one of the best spots in the world for land-based whale watching during the months of June to November. A wine and whale-watching combination makes for a fantastic day trip.
Wines of South Africa - www.wosa.co.za
South African Wine - www.wine.co.za
John Platter Wine Guide - www.platteronline.com
South African Wine and Brandy Company - www.sawb.co.za
Cape Wine Academy - www.capewineacademy.co.za
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