Western Cape : Winelands
Overview
With its corduroy-patterned vineyard-covered hills spread between high blue mountains, its white-washed gabled houses set amidst
the cool shades of ancient oak trees,
the Cape Winelands boasts some of the most majestic scenery in South Africa and
is well worth a visit. Situated approximately 45 minutes North-East of Cape Town,
the Winelands are easily accessible via Cape Town by car or bus.
Things to do and see
As the Cape Winelands is South Africa’s largest wine producing region, a visit to
a couple of the more than 200 vineyards probably tops the list of things to do.
Here, you can sample, taste and buy some of the best reds, whites, blends and sherries
in the world. There are clearly marked wine routes that will take the visitor to
some of the more popular and some of the lesser-known wine cellars in the region.
The six major wine regions in the Western Cape are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl,
Constantia, Wellington and Robertson. Apart from the tasting of world-class wines
and cellar tours the visitor can expect a culinary experience with loads of great
restaurants, coffee shops and attractive guest houses
offering wonderful menus and
extensive wine lists.
The area is also steeped in history and has some of the oldest towns in the country,
where you can stroll down a beautifully restored streets or visit the museums and
monuments that pay homage to the proud history of the area.
The scenery in the Wineland region is spectacular, to say the least and there are
so many ways of enjoying this.
You could go for a gentle day walk in a nature reserve
or even do an extended hike . For he more adventurous, there are quad biking trips,
horse rides and wagon rides.
There is a host of cultural attractions, ranging from township tours and home stays
to cultural festivals and theatres.
With its magnificent natural beauty, its rich cultural heritage and its world-renowned
wines - the Winelands Region of the Western Cape is synonymous with all the best
that the fairest Cape has to offer.
Climate
The area has a Mediterranean climate and is a winter rainfall area with most of
its raining falling between the months of May and September.
Accommodation
Being a world-class destination, you'll find a wide range of hotels - many located
on wine estates - as well as many excellent guesthouses, B&B's and self-catering
cottages in the Cape Winelands region.
Towns and cities in the area
Popular towns in the area include Bonnievale, Breedekloof, Ceres, De Doorns, Franschhoek,
McGregor, Montagu, Paarl, Robertson, Stellenbosch, Tulbagh, Wolseley & Wellington.