Accommodation South Africa Robben Island

Mother Nature smiled when she prepared the Constantia Valley for the winemaker. She bestowed on him the influence of the sun, wind, oceans and fertile soil, and then challenged him to plant vineyards and make excellent wines. To this the owners of Constantia have answered positively for more than three centuries, producing one of the world's most famous wines which was coveted across the globe and those who were fortunate enough to taste it soon refused to settle for anything less.

Contact Cape Town Tourism for a horse-drawn carriage tour through the Constantia winelands. You can stop en-route for refreshments, tours, or tastings at wineries such as Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia or Buitenverwachting. Don’t forget to shop at the Old Cape Farm Stall for fresh goods and gourmet foods.

STELLENBOSCH WINELAND

Considered by many to be the true heart of the Cape winelands and as the second oldest town in South Africa, being both a co-operative and producers hub for the wine industry, this region has plenty to offer in the lines of very fine wine. With new wine cellars and farms popping up all the time there's never a dull moment if what you're looking for is wine, wine, and more wine. Gorgeous scenery, old Cape Dutch houses and picture perfect streets lined with old oak trees one can easily get lost in this beautiful little town.

Since this is the oldest and largest route, having the most estates, wineries and cooperatives as well as wine and cultural museums, allow plenty of time to explore it – probably a whole week or several weekends. You can buy a map of the farms on the route from the Information Centre in Stellenbosch. The heart of the town lies somewhere near the oak-lined Dorp Street. With its venerable old buildings, this is the University´s main thoroughfare, where modern student life sits comfortably side by side with our history and architectural heritage.

PAARL WINELAND

For a satisfying experience on the country’s second-oldest wine-route, try historic Backsberg Estate’s self-conducted tour of its cellars and brandy pot stills, or take a guided tour of the sprawling KWV cellars. Also along the route are Zandwijk, where South Africa’s only kosher wines are made, and Fairview farm, known for its cheeses.

The Ashanti Wine Estate is located beneath the peaks of the Klein Drakenstein mountain range in Paarl. The Estate comprises 165 hectares, of which 95 hectares are planted mostly to noble red varieties. Ashanti's terroir with its fertile slopes at the foot of towering mountains enables the winemaker and the viticulturist to optimise the variables of the unique microclimate. The combination of cold nights and warm days enhances the complexity of the tannins and favours the perfect ripening of the grapes.

Visit the Afrikaans Language Monument. Erected 1975, it is the only language monument in the world.

* See the oldest church building in SA still in use (built in 1805), the Strooidak Church.

* Immerse yourself in a variety of hand-made gifts and local products at the various art & gift shops.

* Experience the magical views from the 50 million years old granite boulders at Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve. Picnic spots and walking trails are available.

* Play a round of golf at Boschenmeer Golf and Country Estate, one of the finest golf estates in the country.

WELLINGTON WINELAND

Historic Wellington with its museums and old churches, is the centre of this off-the-beat-en-track route, typified by small, family-run wineries. At Bovlei you can have your own wine label designed and made for you. North of Wellington’ is the lovely Brian’s Kloof Pass.

Wellington Wine Route has a choice of excellent award winning red and white wines. Indulge yourself in South African Dried Fruits´ world-renowned dried fruits or visit an olive farm and see first hand how olive oil is made. Wellington is also a factory shop fanatic´s dream with, leather products, tiles, fruit juices, waterblommetjies, (a water flower used in local dishes or stews) crockery, nurseries and much more. Adrenaline junkies can test their skills by trying horse riding, mountain hiking, mountain bike trails and the Wellington Wine Walk.

KLEIN KAROO WINELAND

Where else can you see ostriches and vines side by side? Viticulture has boosted the economy of this hot, arid region between the Langeberg and Swartberg mountains, and is practised at farms round Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp, Swellendam, Ladismith and Montagu. Don’t miss the export-quality flagship ports of Boplaas Estate.

FRANSCHHOEK WINELAND

The farms of the Vignerons de Franschhoek, as the producers along this French-influenced wine route are properly known, lie in a beautiful valley and many have historic homesteads, such as Boschendal, La Motte and L’Ormarins. If time is short you can taste the Franschhoek Vineyards Cooperative wines at the wine-tasting centre in Franschhoek.

Franschhoek Wine Valley lies deep in the Cape Wine lands and is South Africa´s very own "French Corner". Here, amidst luscious vineyards and gracious Cape Dutch farmsteads, a picturesque village emits proud, ever-present memories of a 17th century Huguenot culture. A place towards which, an emancipated Nelson Mandela turned, as he began his long walk to freedom....

Enjoy a horseback ride, take a stroll, or make your choice to visit over twenty-nine wine farms. Or simply amble among an array of art shops, galleries and specialist stores that grace the village centre. To satisfy more adventurous spirits, the valley provides the idyllic setting for walking trails, hiking, cycling, horse riding, fly-fishing and golf. What´s more, paragliding offers the brave and free-spirited a stunning bird´s eye-view of the area!

WORCESTER WINELAND

This route covers a triangle that stretches from Villiersdorp in the south to Woseley and Worcester in the North. It included wineries such as the Brandvlei and Merwida cooperatives. Worcester it self has many other attractions in the form of museums and galleries, and the Karoo National Botanic Garden, just four kilometres outside the town.

Worcester is surrounded by the Brandwacht, Overhex and Langeberg Mountains. The Breede and Hex Rivers flows on either side of the town, although the Hex River often runs dry at the end of the long hot summer. The town is well planned and with the tree-lined streets you will be assured of a delightful coolness in summer and an open sunny ambience in winter, when the surrounding peaks are covered in snow. The town is surrounded by wine and table grape farms which create employment opportunities for much of the population. Taste and buy the award winning wines of the Worcester Winelands, which promises to be great value for money.

ROBERTSON WINELAND

The lime-rich soils of the region play an important part in producing its well-balanced wines, such as those of Van Loveren, Weltevrede, Zandvliet and the Rooiberg Cooperative. This mountainous region is traversed by hiking trails best enjoyed in spring. It’s also famous fro being the birthplace of some of the country’s greatest racehorses and a nursery for roses.

Robertson in the Cape Winelands was founded in 1853. Nestled at the foothills of the Langeberg mountains, the town reflects the versatile South African society in all its diversity. Beautiful Victorian style houses set on streets with flowering jacarandas is one of the characteristics of "the jacaranda capital of the Western"

MAIN MENU:

_____________

South Africa Provinces