Overview
The Western Cape, as a province is famous for its wine, with the history of the Cape intrinsically tied to the vine. Nowhere is this truer than in the Cape Winelands, a region overflowing with award-winning vintages and home to a number of world class vineyards.
As such, you cannot visit the Western Cape and leave without a trip into the Cape Winelands. The region is vast - and diverse - and truth be told needs to be visited more than once to savour all that it has on offer.
The Wine
Made up of iconic towns such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and lesser-know, but no-less bountiful valleys such as the Hemel-en-Aarde and Elgin, the Cape Winelands is a treat for lovers of the vine, no matter how experienced the palate. A trip here cannot be done in a day, so set aside some time to explore the region to ensure you enjoy as much as you can.
Rest assured you won’t cover it all on your first trip, but there is always next time, and the time after that, to ensure you do you very best to capture the very best of this incredible region. From Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to Merlot and Pinotage, the Cape Winelands has award winning vintages across the board.
The Food
There is far more than wine, of course, with the area equally famous for its world class restaurants, with Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, in particular, leading the way when it comes to gastronomy. Both towns are home to a number of award-winning restaurants, ranging from fine dining to more relaxed experiences. The region is also quickly becoming a leader in craft beer and whisky, ensuring that it continues to expand its offerings beyond what it is most famous for.
Adventure in the heart of the Winelands
If you’re after something that leans more towards adventure, the Cape Winelands has a number of trails open to runners, mountain bikers and hikers, while the long stretches of road and scenic passes, will be sure to test even the hardiest of road cyclists. From the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve in Stellenbosch to Mont Rochelle in Franschhoek, there is more than enough to explore after the wine glasses have been shelved and the culinary delight digested.