With green rolling hills covered in vines, and grand old manor houses, the Cape Winelands produce international and award-winning wines annually, making it one of the most popular highlights in South Africa.
Cape Winelands Regions
Divided into six regions (Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson and Wellington) the ‘heart of the Winelands’ is a term commonly used to refer to the region of Stellenbosch, one of the better-known areas in the Winelands.
The first official wine route was founded in 1971 by Frans Marala (Simonstig Wine Farm), Spratz Sterling (Delheim Wine Farm) and Neil Joubert (Spier Wine Farm), and the popularity of wine tastings at wine farms has grown in leaps and bounds ever since. However, in 1659 the best wines were recorded coming from the Constantia Winelands area! On the 2nd February 1659 the first wine was produced by Jan van Riebeeck – who was the founder of the Cape.
The Winelands don’t only offer their old, precious wines and farms to the traveller on a South Africa safari, they offer much more. The entire region is also of historic significance, boasting some of the oldest buildings in the Cape and still featuring the Cape Dutch architecture with thatch roofs, cobbled stone paths and magnificent white entrances.
Boland
The Cape Winelands are sometimes referred to as the “Boland” which is an Afrikaans word that means ‘upper land’ .The Cape Winelands are located just outside of Cape Town (on higher ground) in the Western Cape and is a firm favourite holiday destination for safari travellers! The Cape Winelands are a firm favourite holiday destination when it comes to South African safaris to Cape Town. The best times for visiting the Winelands are in the summer months that correspond with Cape Town – late November to early March. Visiting the area during this time allows you to take in all the beauty that the region has to offers alongside its wine offerings and activity.
Have a look at our South African safaris that include the Cape Winelands, or read about other attractions that South Africa has to offer.
