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The Wine Route
Western Cape -South Africa
'The Wine route is a perfect place to forget all your worries
and spoil yourself in a charming beautiful garden of Eden'
Interactive map - click the place of your choice for accommodation choices
Surrounded by distinctive mountain ranges lies the green valleys of the
Cape Winelands. Dotted with towns and villages made up of historic homesteads
and monuments, mixed in with fruit orchards and vineyards. With its Mediterranean
climate and winter rainfall and the rich, fertile soil along the Breede
River Valley this area of the Cape produces some of the best wines in
the country, Somerset West, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, have
become world famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies.
A visit to this area is not just about wine (although that is a very good
reason to spend some time here trying the various flavours on offer) it
is about the relaxed and mellow way of life, spectacular scenery, fine
food and warm people.
Information on the various cities towns and villages along the Winelands
Route
Franschhoek
Winelands
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A further contribution to South Africa's
wine industry resulted in the expulsion from France of the
Huguenot Protestants, who emigrated to South Africa. Many
of these experienced wine producers settled in an area near
the Drakenstein Mountains subsequently named Franschhhoek
(French Corner). This was the ideal location for the French
wine experts, as the valley offered not only tranquil and
beautiful scenery, but was perfect for vine cultivation. In
1984 this area became even more renowned, after the opening
of the Franschoek Wine Route (officially called "Vignerons
de Franschhoek"). Cultivars planted are Chardonnay, Semillon,
Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz Merlot, Cabernet
Franc and Pinot Noir. Franschhoek has about 20 wineries and
is only an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
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for places to stay in Franschhoek
More information
about Franschhoek
Email Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com
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| Accommodation: Hotels, lodges,
B&Bs Guesthouses, Backpackers, Camping |
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Paarl
Winelands
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Situated in the picturesque Berg River Valley
is the wine-growing area of Paarl, Climatically less influenced
by the mountain ranges in the west, this area is dependant
on irrigation. Long hot summers and moist winters are almost
ideal for vine growing. Its Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and
Riesling have received international awards along with its
reds ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon to Merlot. A visit to
the Language Monument erected at the edge of the town, is
as popular as a visit to Paarl's largest wine festival - The
Nederburg Auction - which is held at the end of summer and
regarded as a must on the international wine calendar. Paarl's
wine route is the country's second oldest and includes over
40 cellars, many of which also make cheese, or grow olives.
Click here for
places to stay in Paarl
More information
about Paarl
Email Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com |
| Accommodation: Hotels, lodges,
B&Bs Guesthouses, Backpackers, Camping |
|
Rawsonville
Winelands
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little, largely undiscovered, village of
Rawsonville does mean taking something of a detour off the
N1 near Worcester, about 120 kilometres from Cape Town. Up
until now the quiet town that lies in the beautiful winding
Slanghoek Valley has been almost indistinguishable from Worcester,
belonging as it does to the greater Worcester district. But
its rugged beauty is fast becoming a draw card to visitors
for whom this gorgeous scenery, surrounding winelands, and
family-run cellars are rather appealing. Rawsonville might
be little, but it lies in a prime spot to explore surrounding
vineyards - there are thirteen wine and brandy cellars within
a radius of ten kilometres, and as part of the popular Route
62, Rawsonville is in good company. Along its western flank
runs the Klein Drakenstein that wends its way through the
Slanghoek Valley where various cellars litter the R43 towards
Ceres. On its eastern side several wineries line the banks
of the Breede River, and the R60 to Robertson even more so.
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for places to stay in Rawsonville
More information
about Rawsonville
Email Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com |
| Accommodation: Hotels, lodges,
B&Bs Guesthouses, Backpackers, Camping |
|
Route 62
Winelands
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Route 62 is the tourist route in the Western
Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa, that meanders between
Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, the Langkloof and Port Elizabeth,
offering the shorter, scenic alternative to the N2 highway.
It's an area of magnificent landscapes and towering cliffs,
crystal clear streams and an abundance of trees and indigenous
flora - all contribute to make Paarl, Wellington, the Breede
River Valley, Klein Karoo and Langkloof some of South Africa's
most diverse regions. The ever changing colours of the majestic
mountains, scenic passes, rivers, vineyards and orchards,
as well as the multitude of attractions, will offer you an
unforgettable adventure - whether this is in the physical
sense or simply a kaleidoscope of scenic tranquility.
Click here for places to stay along Route 62
More information about Rawsonville
Email Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com |
| Accommodation: Hotels, lodges,
B&Bs Guesthouses, Backpackers, Camping |
|
Wine and Wine Routes of South Africa
The hedonistic Edward VII revelled in South African wines, especially
when he was Prince of Wales, while Napoleon quaffed it to console himself
in exile.
The flavour and quality of the renowned Cape wines continue to exert a
strong international appeal.
Excellent Climate
The winter rainfall and Mediterranean climate of the Cape, together with
its rich, fertile top and sub-soils, ensure the growth of strong and healthy
vines - ideal conditions found nowhere else in the world.
Decadent Favourites
White wines lead the market, with their fresh fruity elegance - popular
grapes are Chenin Blanc, Cape Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Reds are full-bodied with a distinct bouquet, and leading red varieties
are Cinsaut, Pinotage, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and at the top of the league,
Cabernet Sauvignon, which merits being laid down for at least 10 years.
Cape Wine Routes
A popular way of discovering the joys of South African wines is on a day
trip from Cape Town - either self-drive or on an organised excursion by
a local travel organiser. Devotees of the grape however can spend several
days - weeks if they wish - finding out about the subtle differences between
the various types, there are so many estates to visit. In all, there are
13 wine routes to explore - and 2,000 varieties of wine to sample!
Stellenbosch
Simon van der Stel, who arrived in the Cape in 1679, explored a long verdant
valley east of the present-day Cape Town. He decided that its rich soil
was perfect for viticulture and established the Stellenbosch vineyards,
situated only 35 minutes from Cape Town. Stellenbosch is the second oldest
city of South Africa and is regarded as the wine capital of South Africa,
with over 60 wine estates. Stellenbosch opened the first Wine Route of
the Cape in 1971, inspired by the French Route du Vin and the German Wine
Routes.
Franschhoek
A further contribution to South Africa's wine industry resulted in the
expulsion from France of the Huguenot Protestants, who emigrated to South
Africa. Many of these experienced wine producers settled in an area near
the Drakenstein Mountains subsequently named Franschhhoek (French Corner).
This was the ideal location for the French wine experts, as the valley
offered not only tranquil and beautiful scenery, but was perfect for vine
cultivation. In 1984 this area became even more renowned, after the opening
of the Franschoek Wine Route (officially called "Vignerons de Franschhoek").
Cultivars planted are Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Shiraz Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Franschhoek has
about 20 wineries and is only an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
Paarl
Situated in the picturesque Berg River Valley is the wine-growing area
of Paarl, Climatically less influenced by the mountain ranges in the west,
this area is dependant on irrigation. Long hot summers and moist winters
are almost ideal for vine growing. Its Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and
Riesling have received international awards along with its reds ranging
from Cabernet Sauvignon to Merlot. A visit to the Language Monument erected
at the edge of the town, is as popular as a visit to Paarl's largest wine
festival - The Nederburg Auction - which is held at the end of summer
and regarded as a must on the international wine calendar. Paarl's wine
route is the country's second oldest and includes over 40 cellars, many
of which also make cheese, or grow olives.
Constantia
South Africa's oldest, yet shortest and smallest wine route is the producer
of extraordinary quality wines. Favoured by the cool breezes of the Atlantic
and Indian Ocean the ripening process of the grape achieves the very best
results, an advantage for all wine makers wishing to produce noble wines.
During the founding years under Simon van der Stel, Constantia was one
large wine farm. After his death the area was divided into three estates:
Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia and Buitenverwachting, which are well
worth a visit.
Other Wine Routes
· Smaller wine routes include Worcester, which has a good selection
of wineries, and the nearby Tulbagh which is one of the lesser known regions
with only about ten or so cellars.
· Wellington is tucked away in a small valley and even though there
are only a dozen of so cellars, you couldn't see them all in a day.
· Somerset West, which is the centre of the Helderberg region is
now producing some excellent wines from its 20-odd vineyards.
blackjack White River
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Email
Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com |
Price Guide
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|
blackjack White River
|
new text coming soon about this acconmmodation
Click
here to read more about blackjack
Email
Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com |
Price Guide
in Rand: Price Range |
|
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