Cape Winelands | South Africa Travel Destinations

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Cape Winelands

Top Attractions of the Cape Winelands

You can enjoy an astounding diversity of adventure, culinary, historical, and cultural activities in the Winelands; the main attraction will always be the main wine routes in the area.

Franschhoek Wine Route

An inherent French flair characterizes the Franschhoek Wine Route. The town is rich in Huguenot history and is South Africa's unofficial food and wine capital. Be sure to visit one of the award-winning restaurants in this charming town.

Paarl Wine Route

The Paarl Wine Route is known for the famous Nederburg Wine Estate, the much-loved Fairview Wine and Cheese Farm, and the KWV Wine Emporium, home to the largest wine cellar in South Africa.

Stellenbosch Wine Route

The Stellenbosch Wine Route is South Africa's oldest wine route and surrounds the country's second-oldest town. Some of South Africa's finest wines originate in this scenic region.

Cape Winelands Vacation Options & Travel Tips

Tours to the winelands are often combined with visits to Cape Town, roughly 70km (43 miles) away, and the Garden Route, which lies about 400km (249 miles) to the east. The collective beauty of the Western Cape is a scene of breathtaking beauty.

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Recommended Accommodation

The region is home to various hotels, guest houses, and wine farms that offer quality accommodations. These are our top picks.

Leeu House

Leeu House is an intimate boutique hotel situated in the heart of the Village of Franschhoek. It is an ideal base to explore one of South Africa's most beautiful towns.

Delaire Graff

A magnificent setting atop Hellshoogte Pass provides the backdrop to one of the most exclusive accommodations in South Africa, set in a superb vineyard.

Auberge Clermont

Auberge Claremont offers luxury guest house accommodation on a historic wine and fruit farm in the heart of the Franschhoek valley.

Le Franschhoek

Le Franschhoek lies on the outskirts of the town with which it shares a name. The hotel offers luxury accommodations and an exceptional spa experience.

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Cape Winelands Travel Overview

The region is a drive of 40 minutes from Cape Town. It is divided into six main areas and is the largest wine-producing region in South Africa.

Country

South Africa

Province

Western Cape

Main Routes

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl

Other Routes

Wellington, Constantia, Robertson

Year Established

1685 (Constantia Estate)

Foods to try when visiting the Winelands

Cheese

Nothing complements a good glass of wine quite like good cheese. This delectable culinary tradition has also extended to the Boland, and some of South Africa's most pleasing cheeses are produced in this region. Many wine farms offer pairings or platters.

Chocolate

Chocolate pairings are increasingly popular if your taste buds lean more toward sweet rather than savory. These confections are typically artisan. Every August, Blaauwklippen Wine Estate hosts the Winelands Chocolate Festival.

Strawberries

Between October and December, strawberry picking is a popular enterprise in the Winelands. The advent of summer means that these succulent scarlet fruits are at their best. Put on a hat, pile up your basket, and feast from the source.

Olive Oil

South Africa's high-quality olive oils have started making waves in the international circuit, often beating heavyweights like Italy, Spain, and Greece. The Boland's Mediterranean-like climate provides ideal conditions for groves to flourish.

FAQ

Can I enjoy the Cape Winelands if I am not a wine drinker?

Yes - the Cape Winelands will also appeal to adventurous spirits who enjoy outdoor pursuits like hiking and mountain biking or leisure seekers who wish to relish a good meal and unwind in tranquil surroundings. Depending on your interests, the region's history is also rather captivating.

Can I choose which wine farms I would like to visit?

Yes, if you have a particular wine farm in mind. The wine farms visited on your tour are typically determined following a discussion of preferences between you and your guide.

Should I make restaurant reservations?

Absolutely. Because the Winelands are home to some of South Africa's finest restaurants, reservations are highly recommended. We would be happy to assist you in securing bookings.

In which town will I be staying?

The guest houses, wine farms, and hotels we use for accommodation are typically either in Franschhoek or Stellenbosch, with a small handful on the edge of Paarl.

How far are the Winelands from Cape Town?

Depending on the town or wine farm you are heading for, the Winelands are between 40 minutes and an hour's drive from Cape Town.

Can children enjoy the Winelands?

Yes. A few wine farms offer grape juice tastings, so children can participate, while others indulge the little ones with chocolate tastings.

How many wine farms will I visit?

We usually limit the number of wine farms for a day of tastings to three to ensure that our guests do not feel rushed and can enjoy each farm's unique setting. However, we pride ourselves in our flexibility – should you be keen for more, discuss your preferences with your guide.

Are there wildlife encounters available nearby?

Yes, Spier Wine Farm rehabilitates birds of prey at 'Eagle Encounters', while the Cheetah Outreach in Paardevlei provides visitors with the opportunity to get up close and personal with this majestic endangered big cat.

Does South Africa have any unique cultivars?

Yes - the Cape blend 'Pinotage' is a unique crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut.

Which wine farms are the best??

Though any answer would be largely subjective, farms like Kanonkop (Stellenbosch), Boekenhoutskloof (Franschhoek), and Vergelegen (Somerset West / Helderberg) have consistently established themselves as leading wineries.

Useful Travel Info

Getting There

By Air

The Cape Winelands are easily accessible via Cape Town International Airport, which is around an hour's drive from the various towns in the Cape Winelands. Cape Town International receives flights from all across the world daily, along with regular domestic flights from Johannesburg and the Kruger Park area.

By Road

From Cape Town, the Winelands towns are between 40 minutes and an hour's drive from the city. If traveling from the Garden Route, the trip is typically between four and five hours, depending on whether you opt for Route 62 through the Little Karoo or the N2 highway through the pastoral Overberg.

Weather & Best Time To Visit

The Cape Winelands is a year-round destination because your activities will primarily be centered around tasting and dining. Like Cape Town, the region sports a Mediterranean climate with dry, sunny summers (October to March), where average temperatures are warm to hot. In some areas, it can reach 40°C (104°F). While you can still enjoy delectable tastings, the peak of summer (January and February) can be stifling in the Winelands if there is no wind.

Winters (June to August) can be cool, with average minimum temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and maximums around 17°C (63°F). There are still, however, warm, sunny days throughout this period. Rainfall is frequent, with occasional dusting of snow on higher peaks. Do not let the winter rainfall deter you - the rains are typically light drizzles, almost shrouding the Winelands in an ethereal mist that can be quite lovely to behold.

Medical Considerations

The Cape Winelands are located in a malaria-free part of South Africa. The only medical considerations you should keep in mind are ensuring that your routine vaccinations are up-to-date and that you bring along any prescription medication you might be taking.

Health & Safety

Crime rates in the Boland are relatively low, and it is pleasant to walk along the main street of Franschhoek at night, with all the restaurants festively lit up for dinner. Nevertheless, avoid quiet areas after dark, and follow the advice of your guide.

A Brief History
Main Towns

A Brief History

Wine production in South Africa dates back to the earliest days of European settlement. The first recorded vintage was produced in 1659 by Jan van Riebeeck, the founder of the Cape Colony. The baton was taken up enthusiastically by his successor Governor Simon van der Stel, who founded the Constantia Estate on the Cape Peninsula in 1685. Constantia soon became known internationally for its "Vin de Constance," a favorite tipple of Jane Austen, Frederick the Great, and Napoleon.

Wine production spread to the Western Cape's interior with the French Huguenots' arrival in the late 17th century. Country towns founded during this period, such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, remain at the heart of South Africa's wine industry. The region's historic vineyards - Boschendal, Vergelegen, Nederburg, and Meerlust - still produce the country's finest wines.

Main Towns

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch was founded in 1679 by the Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel. The architectural jewel is the second-oldest town in South Africa and lies at the heart of the Winelands. Stellenbosch is known for its university, the first Afrikaans-language institution in South Africa, and for having the most significant number of Cape Dutch houses of any town in the region. The most harmonious examples are on Dorp, Church, and Drostdy streets.

Franschhoek

Franschhoek (or "French Corner") is named after the French Huguenots who settled here in the 18th century. The Huguenot Museum and the Huguenot Monument, completed in 1943, recall the history of these Protestant refugees persecuted by Louis XIV because of their religious beliefs. Blessed with the most perfect setting of any Winelands town, Franschhoek is an ideal place to settle in for an alfresco lunch at one of its many superb restaurants.

Paarl

Paarl (Afrikaans for "pearl") is named for the polished granite domed mountain that rises behind it. Founded in 1720, Paarl feels rather dour and unattractive by Boland standards, but its wine route includes some of the finest vineyards and several first-class restaurants. On the Southern slope of Paarl Mountain, you will find the centerpiece of the Afrikaans Taal (Language) Monument, a slender granite needle erected in 1975 to commemorate the centenary of Afrikaans being recognized as an official language.

Cape Winelands Travel and Vacations