Visit stellenbosch information guide to stellenbosch, south. The book selects 101 of the best wineries in the cape winelands and. The stellenbosch wine festival is a unique event where the order of the day will be relaxing in the sun while sampling some of the best wines south africa has to offer. A brief history of the south african wine industry is followed by cellar techniques, the soils, climates, maps and main grape varieties as well as the development of the vineyards, the wines, the people and their winemaking philosophies. Stellenbosch is located within the coastal region in south africas western cape province. By the 1970s, stellenbosch wine producers were ready to develop wine tourism in their region. Recommended by south african wine expert and awardwinning writer angela lloyd. The wines here are extraordinary, shockingly affordable, and they have tastes that i dont experience in any other country. If you dont think youll like being with a group, or following a set plan, or if you have specific wineries you were hoping to go to, then booking a private tour is a better way to go for you. Most important is stellenboschs wineproducing region. The wine regions of south africa were defined under the wine of origin wyn van oorsprong act of 1973. Stellenbosch wine routes in 1971, stellenbosch became the first wine region in south africa to establish a wine route as an organised network of wineries for visitors. This bitesize approach helps visitors get the most out of their winelands experiences on a route that caters to history buffs, golfers, families, romantic couples, nature.
Stellenbosch wineries go to great lengths to provide visitors with unique and enriching. Stellenbosch top cape winelands region rhino africa. A century later, in 1795, the farm was bought by a french huguenot descendant, dirk daniel joubert, who divided it between his two sons. The wine list is extensive, as a proper wine region restaurant should feature, and extends to the hotels wine lounge and bar, where you can experience the elite offerings of the vineyards nearby without lifting a finger.
History, culture, natural beauty, sport, education and wine has made the. Stellenbosch also offers a wide variety of cultural activities in which the universitys departments of music, drama and creative arts play an important role. It produces a wide variety of wines from leading estates, even though it accounts for less than 20 per cent of the countrys total production. Stellenbosch is the primary location for viticulture and viticulture research. One of the best things about living in cape town is the proximity to stellenbosch and franschhoekalso known as the cape winelands. The tour goes to all the most important landmarks in the city, including the village museum, which has 4 restored and perfectly kept houses from the 18th century. Stellenbosch is perhaps the most famous wineproducing region in south africa. Contact us to book your food and wine experience on your.
The wine route in stellenbosch has been divided into five subroutes by virtue of their userfriendliness as opposed to official wards, wine styles, or geographical location. A guide to the stellenbosch region the crown jewel of south africa s wine industry, stellenbosch, is a charming, dutchinfluenced countryside region and college town home of the prestigious stellenbosch university and much of south africas viticultural research that happens to boast some of the most exciting wineries in the country among its mesmerizing hills and mountains. Exploring the south africa wine region travel addicts. This institution has a rich history dating back to 1863 and has 10 faculties. American wine is the first comprehensive and authoritative reference on the wines, wineries, and winemakers of america. A guided walking tour of stellenbosch is a pleasant way to learn more about its history and culture. Ready to start exploring the famous stellenbosch, franschhoek and paarl regions. Winelands, the larger of the two main wine growing regions in south africa. The first grapes that went to produce the famous stellenbosch wine were planted in the region in the late 17th century by huguenots refugees. Visit stellenbosch official stellenbosch tourist and.
The mountain forms part of the coetsenburg estate, the jonkershoek nature reserve, the assegaaibosch nature reserve and the larger hottentotsholland mountains catchment area. The area is named for the town that was settled in the mid 1670s with the establishment of the dutch east india company. Yes, you can do the winelands in an afternoontheyre only an hour from cape town. Afrivista tours have been around since 1997 and we have always offered a fun yet informative experience. The district of stellenbosch is one of the oldest and most important wine producing regions in south africa. Two years later, in 1986, the warwick trilogy a three varietal bordeauxstyle blend was released and has since been recognised as a truly iconic wine, with multiple vintages adorning some of the greatest wine lists in the world. Stellenbosch wine tour from cape town do something different. The stellenbosch wine routes currently provide a coordinated network of more than 150 wineries, each offering a unique cellardoor experience for the winelover.
Jun 09, 2019 the cape winelands is a strikingly beautiful region made up of three main wineareas. Sip, swirl and savour the best of stellenbosch wines. Wines of the new south africa tradition and revolution. Stellenbosch and its wine routes 2019 by cadek media issuu.
To choose which franschhoek wine route is best for you, below is a list of the different tram lines and the wine farms included on each line. The stellenbosch winelands, undisputed gourmet capital, offers something for all tastes. History, culture, natural beauty, sport, education and wine has made the name stellenbosch resonate around the globe as one of south africas premier tourist, wine, business and education attractions. Stellenbosch is the countrys second oldest town and, undoubtedly, it is south africas wine capital. In 1971 stellenbosch became the first wine region in south africa to establish a wine route as an organised network of wineries at which the tourist could experience the product of the vine and tune into the soul of the regions winelands. It soon became evident that stellenbosch wine farms would thrive. There are three great books that delve into the rich history of the bordeaux region. Stellenbosch has a population of roughly 100,000, which makes it a great size for wandering. Cabernet sauvignon is the regions most widely planted grape variety, and is often combined with merlot to create bordeaux blend wines.
These valleys produce some of the worlds finest wines and a trip to cape town would not be complete without sampling some of the areas best vintages on a cape winelands tour. Famous for the unique cupcake and wine pairing, delheim is a must on any stellenbosch wine tour. Stellenbosch and its wine routes 2017 by stellenbosch 360 issuu. The stellenbosch district is the second oldest wine region in south africa, after constantia, and is responsible for around 14% of the countrys annual wine production. Stellenbosch wine tasting at top stellenbosch wineries.
A graphical map of the stellenbosch wine route and subroutes. First planted in 1679, stellenbosch is located 45 kilometres 28 mi east of cape town. The jawdropping wines of stellenbosch, south africa. The stellenbosch wine routes the largest and oldest in the country encompass more than 200 wine and grape producers in the region, which are divided into five subroutes. Stellenbosch wine a guide to the wines of stellenbosch. We represent more than 200 wine and grape producers within the boundaries of the stellenbosch wine of origin classification. Tours and tastings are conducted by afrivista tours have been around since.
It is located just east of cape town within the western cape and along with paarl and. Morgenhofs location on the simonsberg mountains actually puts it just outside the stellenbosch district and in the simonsberg appellation. Furthermore, the stellenbosch wine region is one of the oldest in the southern hemisphere and very highly regarded. The scenic stellenbosch wine route is the oldest in the country and one of the most popular destinations for local and international visitors alike.
The stellenbosch wine routes currently provide a coordinated network of more than 150 wineries, each offering a unique cellardoor experience for the winelover and tourist. Roll through the picturesque western cape winelands on this 4 to 5hour bike tour of stellenbosch with wine tastings. Additionally, the stellenbosch wine region, the napa valley of south africa, is one of the oldest in the southern hemisphere, and certainly regarded as the most beautiful. The crown jewel of south africas wine industry, stellenbosch, is a charming, dutchinfluenced countryside region and college town home of the prestigious stellenbosch university and much of south africas viticultural research that happens to boast some of the most exciting wineries in the country among its mesmerizing hills and mountains. Enjoy personalized attention and a flexible itinerary on this wine region tour from stellenbosch. Visit stellenbosch has been created to offer practical and up to date tourist information for visitors to stellenbosch and the surrounding winelands of the western cape. Stellenbosch is in a hilly region of the cape winelands, and is sheltered in a. During 1690 some huguenot refugees visited and settled in stellenbosch, grapes were planted in the fertile valleys around stellenbosch and soon it became the centre of the south african wine industry. View restaurants stellenbosch offers a huge selection of accommodation establishments matching all budgets. Private wine tour with wine expert to stellenbosch franschhoek wine regions. Cycle through the historic cente luxury meets adventure on this rugged wine safari, a private wine crawl and brandy tasting through cape towns most stunning estates. At 17,500 hectares, stellenbosch is south africas bestknown wine region, as well as the capes most important fine wine district.
There are hundreds of wineries with tasting rooms, restaurants, and even day spas. Traveling on this smallgroup tour, limited to eight travelers, means you discover boutique wineries you might not find on your own. Its truly the prettiest town, home to one of the countrys prestigious universities, and youll love exploring the fine art galleries, the architecture, the history, and. The estate, which has been showered with awards over the last decade, has been described as south africas equivalent of a premier cru. The stellenbosch, paarl and franschhoek valleys form the cape winelands, the larger of the two main wine growing regions in south africa. There are a wide variety of cultural activities in which the universitys departments of music, drama and fine arts play an important role. Stellenbosch is a university town about an hour outside cape town. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. History warwick wine estate, stellenbosch, south africa. There are five regions in the geographical unit of the western cape breede river valley, cape south coast, coastal region, klein karoo and olifants river. Stellenbosch offers incredible natural beauty, everywhere you look photo via flickr by dave bezaire join a group stellenbosch wine tour. For wine lovers who want to get insider knowledge of the south african wine industry or just enjoy the amazing cape winelands. Whilst there are numerous established estates in the region, there are also many wineries which opened in recent decades, bringing fresh blood to a centuries old industry and helping to make stellenbosch a diverse and interesting region for tourists.
The history of the cape winelands stellenbosch, franschhoek. The 6 best wine hotels in stellenbosch magazine winerist. The area is named for the town that was settled in the mid 1670s with the. Not only does the stellenbosch region dominate the south african wine scene in terms of wine quality, education and history, it has also played a pioneering. Written by worldrenowned wine author jancis robinson and u. The stellenbosch wine routes has thus been divided into 5 sub routes bottelary hills, greater simonsberg, helderberg, stellenbosch valley and stellenbosch berg to make travelling along the route even more user friendly. From the most discerning of diners to those who enjoy relaxed honest faire or celebrating the best of local is lekker.
Afrivista wine tours offer full and halfday tours from stellenbosch. The stellenbosch wine route is south africas oldest and most established wine route, with a history spanning over 300 years over 140 wineries can be found along the entire stellenbosch wine route the stellenbosch wine route is divided into five subroutes. A guide to the stellenbosch region the crown jewel of south africa s wine industry, stellenbosch, is a charming, dutchinfluenced countryside region and college town home of the prestigious stellenbosch university and much of south africas viticultural research that happens to boast some of the most exciting wineries in the country among its mesmerizing hills and. Stellenbosch valley, stellenbosch berg, greater simonsberg, bottelary hills, and. In south africas fabled wine country, white and black. Stellenbosch is synonymous with south african winemaking. It is perhaps the most prestigious of the countrys wine regions. South africas secondoldest town was founded in 1679 by dutch settlers.
Nov 07, 2017 stellenbosch is perhaps the most famous wineproducing region in south africa. Settlers planted wine grapes to quench thirsty sailors. This is the epicenter of south africas wine country, settled as early as the. The stellenbosch wine festival presented by pick n pay is a unique event where the order of the day is. At delheim, staff create mouthwatering combinations guaranteed to blow your mind. The south african wine industry produces about 1,000,000,000 litres of wine annually. Its how i found out that most of the town was destroyed by a fire in 1710. They established the stellenbosch wine route, south africas first, in 1971. Its valleys of granite, sandstone and alluvial loam soils between the towering bluegrey mountains of stellenbosch, simonsberg and helderberg have the capacity to produce. This book is a glorious tribute to south african wines and the personalities behind the wines. The ultimate wine town, stellenbosch has just about as much history as you can expect from the most well known places in south africa, dating back to its origin 1679.
Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine has even been granted by the gods to man. Its valleys of granite, sandstone and alluvial loam soils between the towering bluegrey mountains of stellenbosch, simonsberg and helderberg have the capacity to produce beautiful wines from many varieties. A group wine tour in stellenbosch involves being picked up at your hotel or meeting the group at the train station if youre not staying in town, then visiting 45 wineries in the area with a stop for lunch. The region s first university was inaugurated in 1918 to this day it remains an internationally recognized education center and one of the leading universities in africa. Spend the whole day in the rolling vineyards, visiting various wineries off the beaten path.
The interior furnishing and gardens resemble the true pioneering spirit of days gone by. Book a tour and learn more about the region and its people with. Theres also a large salt water swimming pool and a jacuzzi, to relax and unwind after a hard days wine tasting, which can be arranged for you in franschhoek as well as neighbouring regions stellenbosch, paarl and constantia. Most important is stellenbosch s wine producing region. The town, in western capes coastal region, is steeped in history and is home to the countrys bestknown wine estates. A bordeaux wine revolution pictured by william echikson, a wine. By the 20th century, stellenbosch was celebrated as both as a center of agriculture and as a center of learning.
The best food and wine places in stellenbosch, south africa. May 07, 2020 stellenbosch wine tasting experiences all signs lead to the tasting rooms in stellenbosch in front of the helderberg mountains. A profile of south africas stellenbosch wine region with focus on history, climate, varietals, wines, producers, and more. Stellenbosch is perhaps the most famous wineproducing region in. A great story precedes the creation of the stellenbosch wine route, of three friends and their love for wine merging their three farms into a route that is now one of the most.
Schreuder, bletterman grosvenor and berghouse with the entrance in ryneveld street. Margaret river is the major geographical indication wine region in southwest western australia, with 5,017 hectares under vine and 215 wineries as at 2012. Stellenbosch is a town in the western cape province of south africa, situated about 50. In south africas most famous wine region, women are rewriting. Margaret river wine region is made up predominantly of boutique size wine producers.
With more than 50 panoramic maps, this brandnew book illustrates and explains the vital connections between the landscape and the wine. Bluegreen line departing from the ticket office at 10 am daily, these routes showcase the boutique wine estates, along with stunning backdrops of the mountains. The stellenbosch winelands are less than 30 minutes away from the cape town international airport, on the southern tip of the african continent. The history of the cape winelands stellenbosch, franschhoek and. Listing stellenbosch wineries, wineland attractions and activities. Stellenbosch, franschhoek and paarl valley wine day trip. It is the second largest wine growing region in the world and produces over 700 million bottles annually. Sep 18, 2014 one of the oldest wineries in the south africa wine region, the morgenhof wine estate traces its roots back to 1692. Stellenbosch wine routes now have more than 100 members producing wines of origin stellenbosch.
Sensibly too, the stellenbosch wine district is divided into 4 chapters. Tourism, wine and food plays a leading and vital role in the history and future of stellenbosch although there is a lot more to this lovely region than what meets the eye. The traditional kanonkop estate is arguably the most recognised stellenbosch winery in the region, with a history of producing wines of exquisite quality that are respected around the world. Wines of the new south africa by tim james hardcover. Best books on the bordeaux wine region of france intowine. The best wineries in south africas cape winelands the. Stellenbosch is a subregion, or district, within the coastal region of course, finding good wine from stellenbosch can be challenging because there are so many producers.
Greater simonsberg, bottelary hills, stellenbosch valley, stellenbosch berg and helderberg, each with unique wines, climates and charm. Its one of the oldest towns in south africa and its populated primarily by afrikaners afrikaansspeaking people of dutch descent. Stellenbosch holds the honour of being the most wellknown town in south africa. Visit stellenbosch information guide to stellenbosch. The dutch east india company used cape town as a resupply stop on route to india during the 1600s. Oct 24, 2016 stellenbosch and its wine routes 2017. Early stellenbosch history is represented by the 4 village museum houses. Under the auspices of the wine of origin scheme, production zones in the cape winelands are divided into officially demarcated geographical units, regions, districts and wards. Historical, glorious stellenbosch with its cape dutch architecture, is the warm and wonderful heart of the cape winelands, and is surrounded by stunning wine estates. Photo gallery stellenbosch wine route south africa. South africas cape winelands is, in my humble opinion, one of the best wine regions in the world. The bordeaux region of france produces some of the most expensive and prestigious wines in the world. Well introduce you to unforgettable cellar door experiences, awardwinning wine estates, celebrated restaurants and stellenbosch s unique and enviable lifestyle. Youll have a chance to visit a few wine cellars during your tour photo by savored sips book a private stellenbosch wine tour.
Stellenbosch history stellenbosch wine routes our sub routes wineries az. This is a private day t this tour is designed to introduce guests to one of south africas finest and most famous wine producing regions. A lil history on south african wine the dutch east india company used cape town as a resupply stop on route to india during the 1600s. Stellenbosch, south africa one cold morning, stefan smit, a white farmer in south africas stunning wine region, woke up to find his vineyard under siege.
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