Wine is not made in more beautiful surroundings anywhere in the world, according to Hugh Johnson, eminent British wine writer.
From the oldest vineyards of Constantia overlooking the majesty of False Bay and in the shadow of Table Mountain, to the semi desert Port Vineyards of Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo and the treasures that lie in between. Within an easy day trip from Cape Town are the well known districts of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Helderberg, Paarl and Franschhoek.
Stellenbosch was founded by Dutch East India Company Governor, Simon van der Stel, as he expanded the farms that were to provide refreshment for the ships on the trade route to the East. Some of our most historic and picturesque wine farms are around oak-lined Stellenbosch with individual whitewashed gables standing as proud as their wines. Classic French style red blends, crisp sun friendly whites, our own sparkling Cap Classique, and the uniquely South African and popular Pinotage. North-east of Stellenbosch is Paarl, famous for it's 13 kilometres of main road - a potted architectural history of the Cape - Cape Dutch, Georgian, Victorian, Art Nuveau, Art Deco, Arts and Crafts and Modern buildings are the axis of surrounding farms. Known to be slightly warmer than Stellenbosch, the wines reflect this in flavour concentration and aroma. At the end of each harvest Paarl is host to our Nuveau Festival and true Nuveau style wines vie with first releases to reach the top of Paarl Mountain.
North-west of Stellenbosch and over the spectacular Hellshoogte Pass is Franschhoek, named for the French Huguenots who were settled here by the Dutch East India Company in the 1700s and who provided us with their wine making expertise which resulted in Cape wines being consumed by such people as Napoleon, Bismark and the royal heads of Britain. This little village is fast becoming the food capital of South Africa with a variety of restaurants to complement the wines. On the east coast is the small but important wine producing area of Walker Bay.
The famous Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley - this cool, misty area is well known for its Burgundy styles. To Heaven and Earth should be added the Sea, as Walker Bay is home to birthing whales during the months of July to December.
Inland from Walker Bay is the Breede River area with it's gentle sloping vineyards, warm hospitality and pretty villages. Large producers of fashionable Chenin Blanc and which lime soil producers good Cap Classique. Further to the North over breathtaking passes and landscape is the little Karoo town of Calitzdorp - home of our Champion Port producers. A drive up the unspoilt rather arid West Coast will take you to a 'Cinderella' region, the Swartland where amid wheatfields and sand dunes, some of our best bargains are found. If you are lucky enough to be in this area in Spring, you will see one of natures great phenomenons - the carpets of spring flowers.