Exploring Wine Farms in the Cape Town Area

Constantia

Constantia is the birthplace of the South African wine farming industry. It is the area where Simon van Der Stel, the first Govenor of the Cape, chose to plant the first vineyard.

Today, there are 5 world famous award winning vineyards in the area, namely Steenberg Estate, Constantia Uitsig, Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia and Buitenverwagting. They are all worth a visit!

www.constantiawineroute.co.za

Paarl

The town of Paarl is situated about an hours drive up the N1 out of Cape Town. It is a lovely place to visit and has much history and tradition, not to mention a few great wine farms!

Highly recommended is Fairview Wine Estate. They are the proud producers of 'Goats Do Roam' wines, cleverly named due to the goats that do roam on areas of the estate. Fariview also make excellent cheese to compliment the wine. Picnic package are available and there is a wonderful restaurant called the Goatshed where delicious breads and meals can be enjoyed under the trees outside or inside the converted barn.

www.fairview.co.za

Another wine farm not to miss in Paarl is KWV, famous for not only it's wines, but brandy too. It boasts one of the world largest cellars - quote impressive!

www.kwv.co.za

Stellenbosch

There are in the region of 106 cellars in the Stellenbosch Wine Route area, so you will not be short of choice. It is arguably the most famous wine route in the country.

There are so many wine farms to choose from, but these are our recommendations:

Spier

Spier Wine Estate offers much more than just excellent wines. There is a cheetah sanctuary as well as the infamous Moyo Restaurant where you are able to have drinks and a meal in the treetops! Spier also offers horse back riding.

The first Spier grapes were pressed on the farm in 1712 and today one of the Cape's oldest wine cellar buildings (dates 1767!) still takes pride on the estate.

www.spierwines.co.za

Tokara

Tokara is an excellent stop on your wine route and should not be missed. It is situated on the slopes of the Helshoogte Pass near Stellenbosch and produces wines, a 5 year potstill brandy as well as there own olive oil.

Tokara also boasts an amazing restaurant, so skip breakfast and go hungry as you won't be disappointed! It is open Tuesday - Saturday for lunch and dinner.

www.tokara.co.za

For a map of Stellenbosch wine routes, click on the following link - www.wineroute.co.za/images/maps/map_stellenbosch.jpg

Franschhoek

Franschhoek is were the French first settled in South Africa to make wine almost 300 years ago. There are many farms in this beautiful area of the country. For info on all of them and other things to do in Franschhoek, please go to www.franschhoek.org.za

Cabriere

Cabriere is the home of Pierre Jordan and Haute Cabriere wines. It was founded in 1694 and comprises of 2 farms on opposite ends of the Franschhoek Wine Valley. "A rich history, a whimsical setting, a seductive approach to wine and a magnetic proprietor ensure that it is a decadent affair for any visitor".