Historically speaking
The South African wine industry has come a long way since the first unsuccessful attempt in 1652 to grow grapes in the area known today as the Cape Winelands.
Holland, where Jan van Riebeeck hailed from, had never been a wine producing country and so the Dutch did not initially succeed in producing drinkable wine. However, Dutch merchant traders noticed that crews on ships from the wine producing Mediterranean countries suffered less from the dreaded disease scurvy, and this was put down to their wine consumption. For this reason, Van Riebeeck decided to supplement his supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables from the Company Gardens with barrels of this noble liquid.
Just two decades after wine was first produced in the Cape, a new governor arrived on the scene - Simon van der Stel of Constantia fame. He continued to develop areas even further from Cape Town with even greater enthusiasm than his predecessors. In 1679 he established the foundations of what was to become the charming town of Stellenbosch - now one of the epicentres of the South African wine industry.
His own estate of Constantia was granted to him not long afterwards, and although greatly reduced in size, it is still today one of the most beautiful wine estates in the Cape and historically one of the most interesting.
Towards the end of the 17th century, freedom of religion was abolished in France and the Protestant Huguenots were persecuted and many were killed for their beliefs. Thousands fled to Holland where some found their way aboard ships bound for the little Cape settlement. They brought with them a sound knowledge of viniculture and were allocated land in the Cape Winelands - areas now known as Franschhoek, Paarl and Drakenstein, where they contributed to the improvement of the South African wine industry.
The drink has now long since passed the stage of being merely a remedy for scurvy, and today the South African wine industry and Cape wines are once again in demand around the world.
Attractions and destinations not to be missed
For the traveller the fertile green valleys of the Cape Winelands -surrounded by proud mountain ranges - are a destination in itself. Apart from the dozens of world class wine estates, the towns and villages here have many historic homesteads and monuments worth visiting.
It is the Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall of the south-western Cape that produces some of the best wines in the country. The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River and especially the areas of Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, have become world famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies.
Stellenbosch
Only 30 minutes' drive from Cape Town lies the town of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. The settlement was established in 1679. The Stellenbosch Tourist Information Office and the Stellenbosch Wine Route Office are in Market Street - start to your tour here. Many of the historical buildings are close by and it is possible to discover some of Stellenbosch on foot.
The Toy & Miniature Museum is situated behind the Information Bureau and is the only one of its kind in South Africa. Close to Market Street is the town square, known as Die Braak, where there are some interesting buildings. The VOC Kruithuis (Powder House) (1777), the Old Rhenish Mission, the Church of St Mary (1852), the Coachman's Cottage and the old Burgerhuis (1797) are all worth visiting.
A visit to Spier will bring visitors all the magic of the winelands on one magnificent estate. Spier's restaurants cater for everyone - from riverside picnics to fine food in many forms. Visit the Spier Wine Centre and taste wines from all over South Africa. The Cape Wine Academy in Stellenbosch offers visitors a wonderful opportunity of learning about local and international wines. Beginner courses will allow visitors an insight into the local wine industry before embarking on a tour of the wine routes. Following the Stellenbosch Wine Route is one of the most enjoyable ways of seeing the south-western Cape.
Franschhoek
Take a drive into the small valley of Franschhoek which was founded in 1688 on land granted to the French Huguenots. This is the valley where some of the Cape's most notable homesteads are situated and Boschendal is one of the most spectacular.
The drive from Stellenbosch over Helshoogte Pass treats the traveller to some magnificent views of the Simonsberg and the Wemmershoek mountains. The Huguenot Monument and Huguenot Museum, which are situated in the small town, are of great interest. The Franschhoek Tourism Association will be able to supply you with a brochure giving details on the wine estates and co-ops in the area.
Paarl
Take the road from Franschhoek to Paarl which grew from 1690 and is five years younger than Stellenbosch. The town was named after the huge granite dome of rock which overlooks the town. The Afrikaans Language Monument, which was opened in 1975, is situated on the southern side of the mountain. De Oude Woning is one of the earliest surviving houses in Paarl.
The famous 11km long Main Street also features the Strooidak Church, Die Oude Pastorie Museum, the Patriot Building and the Gymnasium. Around the corner from the Gymnasium is the Afrikaans Language Museum. The beautiful homestead of Laborie, in Main Street, was purchased by KWV in 1972. The buildings were restored and the restaurant was built. The KWV cellar complex is the largest in the world, covering an area of 22 hectares.
The magnificent Cathedral Cellar, with its barrel-vaulted roof and large carved red wine vats, depicting the history of the Cape's wine industry, is spectacular. The Paarl Wine Route Office in Main Street will be able to supply visitors with a free brochure and map on the area.
Wellington
Nearby is the smaller and very attractive town of Wellington. Visit the Wellington Museum in Church Street and the Dutch Reformed Church. Beyond Wellington is the Bain's Kloof Pass which is a historical monument. Built by Andrew Bain in 1853, the pass links Wellington to Ceres and Worcester and the narrow winding road provides magnificent views of the valley below. The Wellington Tourist Bureau in Main Street will supply visitors with information on the area and its wine route.
Holland, where Jan van Riebeeck hailed from, had never been a wine producing country and so the Dutch did not initially succeed in producing drinkable wine. However, Dutch merchant traders noticed that crews on ships from the wine producing Mediterranean countries suffered less from the dreaded disease scurvy, and this was put down to their wine consumption. For this reason, Van Riebeeck decided to supplement his supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables from the Company Gardens with barrels of this noble liquid.
Just two decades after wine was first produced in the Cape, a new governor arrived on the scene - Simon van der Stel of Constantia fame. He continued to develop areas even further from Cape Town with even greater enthusiasm than his predecessors. In 1679 he established the foundations of what was to become the charming town of Stellenbosch - now one of the epicentres of the South African wine industry.
His own estate of Constantia was granted to him not long afterwards, and although greatly reduced in size, it is still today one of the most beautiful wine estates in the Cape and historically one of the most interesting.
Towards the end of the 17th century, freedom of religion was abolished in France and the Protestant Huguenots were persecuted and many were killed for their beliefs. Thousands fled to Holland where some found their way aboard ships bound for the little Cape settlement. They brought with them a sound knowledge of viniculture and were allocated land in the Cape Winelands - areas now known as Franschhoek, Paarl and Drakenstein, where they contributed to the improvement of the South African wine industry.
The drink has now long since passed the stage of being merely a remedy for scurvy, and today the South African wine industry and Cape wines are once again in demand around the world.
Attractions and destinations not to be missed
For the traveller the fertile green valleys of the Cape Winelands -surrounded by proud mountain ranges - are a destination in itself. Apart from the dozens of world class wine estates, the towns and villages here have many historic homesteads and monuments worth visiting.
It is the Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall of the south-western Cape that produces some of the best wines in the country. The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River and especially the areas of Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, have become world famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies.
Stellenbosch
Only 30 minutes' drive from Cape Town lies the town of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. The settlement was established in 1679. The Stellenbosch Tourist Information Office and the Stellenbosch Wine Route Office are in Market Street - start to your tour here. Many of the historical buildings are close by and it is possible to discover some of Stellenbosch on foot.
The Toy & Miniature Museum is situated behind the Information Bureau and is the only one of its kind in South Africa. Close to Market Street is the town square, known as Die Braak, where there are some interesting buildings. The VOC Kruithuis (Powder House) (1777), the Old Rhenish Mission, the Church of St Mary (1852), the Coachman's Cottage and the old Burgerhuis (1797) are all worth visiting.
A visit to Spier will bring visitors all the magic of the winelands on one magnificent estate. Spier's restaurants cater for everyone - from riverside picnics to fine food in many forms. Visit the Spier Wine Centre and taste wines from all over South Africa. The Cape Wine Academy in Stellenbosch offers visitors a wonderful opportunity of learning about local and international wines. Beginner courses will allow visitors an insight into the local wine industry before embarking on a tour of the wine routes. Following the Stellenbosch Wine Route is one of the most enjoyable ways of seeing the south-western Cape.
Franschhoek
Take a drive into the small valley of Franschhoek which was founded in 1688 on land granted to the French Huguenots. This is the valley where some of the Cape's most notable homesteads are situated and Boschendal is one of the most spectacular.
The drive from Stellenbosch over Helshoogte Pass treats the traveller to some magnificent views of the Simonsberg and the Wemmershoek mountains. The Huguenot Monument and Huguenot Museum, which are situated in the small town, are of great interest. The Franschhoek Tourism Association will be able to supply you with a brochure giving details on the wine estates and co-ops in the area.
Paarl
Take the road from Franschhoek to Paarl which grew from 1690 and is five years younger than Stellenbosch. The town was named after the huge granite dome of rock which overlooks the town. The Afrikaans Language Monument, which was opened in 1975, is situated on the southern side of the mountain. De Oude Woning is one of the earliest surviving houses in Paarl.
The famous 11km long Main Street also features the Strooidak Church, Die Oude Pastorie Museum, the Patriot Building and the Gymnasium. Around the corner from the Gymnasium is the Afrikaans Language Museum. The beautiful homestead of Laborie, in Main Street, was purchased by KWV in 1972. The buildings were restored and the restaurant was built. The KWV cellar complex is the largest in the world, covering an area of 22 hectares.
The magnificent Cathedral Cellar, with its barrel-vaulted roof and large carved red wine vats, depicting the history of the Cape's wine industry, is spectacular. The Paarl Wine Route Office in Main Street will be able to supply visitors with a free brochure and map on the area.
Wellington
Nearby is the smaller and very attractive town of Wellington. Visit the Wellington Museum in Church Street and the Dutch Reformed Church. Beyond Wellington is the Bain's Kloof Pass which is a historical monument. Built by Andrew Bain in 1853, the pass links Wellington to Ceres and Worcester and the narrow winding road provides magnificent views of the valley below. The Wellington Tourist Bureau in Main Street will supply visitors with information on the area and its wine route.
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