The Cape Winelands district includes five local municipalities; namely Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Witzenberg, Breede Valley and Langeberg (formerly known as Breede River/Winelands). The area is one of the “pearls” of South Africa’s rural and small-town sub-regions, but disparate with a relatively high and diverse level of development. The Cape Winelands region is the source of many legendary Cape wines, the produce of row upon row of grapevines, many of which were first planted hundreds of years ago.
Its classic Cape-Dutch homesteads, mountainous surrounds, grand heritage and sumptuous restaurants have earned the Cape Winelands the right to call itself South Africa’s culinary capital. Apart from a wide choice of wine estate cellars lined with top-class wines, visitors will discover a variety of locally produced cheeses, olives, export-quality fruit and organic produce to sample and buy. The sheer beauty of the Winelands not only lures photographers and artists to capture its magnificence, it regularly plays host to weddings, conferences and special occasions.
Situated within easy reach of Cape Town and famed for producing some of the world’s finest wines, the Cape Winelands delight travellers with their magnificent scenery, fine wines and mouth-watering meals. Award-winning wine estates sprawl along slopes covered with lush, green vines and look out onto scenic mountain landscapes. Quaint little towns filled with characteristic Cape Dutch architecture reflect the region’s French Huguenot influence.
Known as the gourmet capital of South Africa, beautiful Franschhoek boasts fine dining restaurants and excellent patisseries. Apart from ordinary wine tastings, visitors can sample the area’s delicious chocolate, cheese and olives.
Why visit?
- Franschhoek‘s excellent restaurants are renowned at home and abroad.
- Add stunning mountains, galleries and antique stores to paint a picture of the hospitality that characterises this small town.
- With its historical charm, culture, architectural heritage, wine and one of the largest solid rocks in the world, Paarl Mountain, Paarl is bursting with breathtaking scenery and offers the fitter tourist a choice of cycling and nature trails.
- This was the first wine region in South Africa to establish a route along an organised network of wineries.
- Don’t miss out on a scenic drive up Bain’s Kloof Pass. Robertson – the “Garden Town of the Boland”
- Sample a glass of pinotage, which is a red wine blend unique to South Africa
Climate
Summer (October – April)
Min 24°C/75°F Max 32°C/90°F
Winter (May – September)
Min 8°C/46°F Max 23°C/73°F
years