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South African wine is worth
traveling halfway round the world for. Most of the wine growing areas are
centered around Cape Town, heading up the West Coast towards Darling, along the
East Coast as far as Hermanus, inland as far as de Rust, near Oudtshoorn, and
straight north as far as Upington. If you're into wine, the only decisions you
will have to make is which few hundred wineries you'll have to leave out because
you just won't have time for them all, and how you are going to get your
purchases home. Actually, the second one is a lot easier than the first, most
wineries and merchants will ship wine home for you, so it will be awaiting your
return.
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Franschoek
Franschhoek, the
charming village and beautiful wine valley, was originally known as Olifants
Hoek, after Elephants took to calving in the sheltered valley of plentiful food
and water. In 1694, 9 farms were apportioned to Huguenots fleeing persecution in
France. Finding the climate
similar to that of
France, the settlers planted vines. Today members
of the Vignerons produce wines consumed throughout the world. Visit the Huguenot
Memorial Museum and Monument in the town. Franschhoek is well known for its
excellent restaurants and top accommodation establishments. Other activities
include fly-fishing, hiking, mountain biking, Horse-riding. There are also
numerous specialty art and craft shops situated
in this quaint village.
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Paarl
As the Paarl
region's umbrella association of wine producers, Vintners has embraced Paarl's
territorial heritage as one of the most globally prolific sources of fine red
wine and has charted a route through which explorers may discover both the
delicate secrets and bold celebrities of these historic winelands. It is true
that great 'Red Route' legends such as Roodeberg, stalwart Cabernet Sauvignon,
port and a determined focus on Shiraz have long established Paarl's place on the
global wine map. Even more exciting is the fact that the Paarl region has again
captured the international spotlight with this year's crowning of both a
Cabernet Sauvignon and a Shiraz as the World's Best Wines as well as securing
the award of Winemaker of the Year at Vin Expo 2001. Perfect micro-climates,
ideal soils and a firm red tradition - a medley of blessing, bounty and bold
commitment - these are the essential and unique ingredients that have afforded
the Paarl region the inalienable and singular claim to being the birthplace of
the world's very first 'Red Route'.
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Wellington
Nestling at the
foot of the Groenberg, the historic town of Wellington lies in a picturesque
valley on the banks of the Kromme River. Wellington, in the heart of the Boland
and rich in cultural, religious and educational history, is an unsurpassed area
to enjoy the winelands and scenery of the Western Cape in South Africa. The fact
that the majority of South Africa's vine-cutting nurseries are found in the
Wellington area is due to the excellent soils and climate of the region. The
Wellington wine route is small and compact and the cellars within easy driving
distance of each other. Only 45 minutes from Cape Town, the area is known as the
heart of the Boland.
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Stellenbosch
Since the
founding of Stellenbosch in 1679, the region’s cool climate and fertile soils
combined with the planting of the correct varieties of grapes have produced
knowledge of winemaking which spans three centuries. The Stellenbosch Wine
Region today is synonymous with high quality award winning wines. The Wine Route
comprises 44 cellars which produce between them a large variety of red and white
wines. Exploring the Wine Route is an adventure that will not easily be
forgotten. Since the founding of Stellenbosch, it has become synonymous with
table wines of high quality.
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Worcester
In terms of
volume the Worcester district is the largest and one of the most important wine-
making areas in the country, producing close on 25% of South Africa's total
volume of wine and spirits. Apart from dessert wines, for which the area is
renowned and has received many awards, the Worcester Winelands has emerged as a
quality white and red wine producing area. The region is also the country's most
important brandy producing area, with Worcester being the home of the world's
largest brandy cellar, KWV, and Olof Berg Solera Cellar.
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AmaZingwe
