Wine Region

About Wine Region

Close to Cape Town, the wine region is home to some of the world's most popular wines and is South Africa’s only major wine-producing area.

The wine estates, commonly elegant Cape Dutch-style buildings and vast vineyards backed by picturesque mountains in stunning settings, are open to the public for tours and tastings, with many also boasting award-winning eateries. A European influence can also be felt due to the arrival of French, Dutch and German settlers during the 18th century.

There are 2,000 varieties of wine to sample and 13 wine routes to explore, ranging from the Route 62 wine route, reputed to be the world's longest, to the Stellenbosch wine route, the oldest.

The beautiful French Huguenot village of Franschhoek is full of wine estates, bistros and restaurants, earning it the accolade as the ‘gourmet capital of South Africa', historic Paarl and charming Robertson also play host to a number of wonderful wineries whilst nearby Wellington is famed for its brandies.

Although the area can be reached from Cape Town in just an hour and makes for a nice days sightseeing, those in the know book into one of the region’s many spectacular hotels, often located on working wine farms, to spend a few nights relaxing and enjoying the food and wine on offer.

For more information, why not speak to one of our experts on +44 (0) 20 7843 3500 or email info@africatravel.co.uk

Seasons

• Summer (November to February) - Weather-wise this is a beautiful time of year for The Winelands, with long warm days, with a cooling breeze in the afternoons. 
• Autumn (March to May) - Days start to cool off a little, but skies tend to be clear and it is a beautiful time of year to visit. 
• Winter (June to July) - Days tend to be cool, often dry although the presence of the Franschhoek Mountains mean the rains can set in. Some properties and restaurants have their seasonal closure at this time of year, so please plan your trip with care.
• Spring (August to October) - You really can feel that spring is in the air, as the plant life blooms, days warm up rapidly and a great buzz returns to the towns.

Wildlife

Leopards can see seven times better in the dark than humans

Lions spend 16-20 hours of the day sleeping or resting

Giraffes can run as fast as 35 miles per hour

In The Know

• Kids love Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre
• The valleys are home to great museums, monuments and art galleries
• Visit the chocolate factory or farmers markets
• Enjoy a game of golf