The Cape
Winelands stretches over four different regions of "wine of origin
production": The Coastal Region (Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl,
Franschhoek,Wellington and Tulbagh) the Oliphants Region up the West Coast,
the Overberg Region along the south coast famous for its whales and then the
Breede River Valley and the Klein Karoo Regions along the famous “Route
62”.
The
oldest and the first wine route to be established is the Stellenbosch Wine
Route – only thirty minutes drive from Cape Town.
Stellenbosch the second
oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town was established in 1679 by Simon
Van der Stel, the then Governor of the Dutch East Indies company. Well
preserved historical houses and oak trees line the streets. Its university of
more than 14000 students gives the town a vibrant and youthful atmosphere. The
perfect introduction to the art of brandy distilling will be a visit to the Van
Ryn Brandy Cellar. The Botanical Gardens boast the ‘Living Fossil’
Welwitschia from Namibia.
click to enlarge 
The ‘Four Passes
Fruit Route’ takes you over the Helshoogte, Franschhoek, Grabouw and Sir
Lowry’s Pass. Franschhoek, a tranquil village, twenty minutes from
Stellenbosch, is known for its French Huguenot Heritage, fine wines and many
eating places. Other towns worth a visit and within easy distance are the
resort town of Hermanus, known for its whales, the picturesque town of Tulbagh,
and Paarl, home of Afrikaans Language Monument and the famous KWV wines and
brandy.
The small scenic town
of Wellington is famous for fruit, wine and one of the oldest educational
centers, the Huguenot College established in 1896. The town was a very
important post in the Anglo Boer War – the blockhouse is a national
monument.
