Cape Town Wine Route

The Cape Winelands stretches all the way from the plush Mother City to the semi- desert area of the Little Karoo. There are well over 500 wine farms, most of them offering wine tasting and many of them cellar tours and the opportunity to meet the wine maker. The Cape Winelands are among some of the most beautiful in the world- Cape Dutch architecture- homesteads with white walls, thatched roofs and gables contrast with dramatic mountain backdrops. In autumn the vineyards turn all kinds of shades of red, orange and yellow- possibly one of the most beautiful times to visit the Winelands (and also out of season, thus missing the masses of tourists).

Traditionally the surrounding areas of Stellenbosch were the most popular wine routes, but have now been significantly extended to the farther flung areas as the wine industry keeps growing. Each farm offers their own unique experience- from fine dining restaurants to cobwebbed cellars with a personal tasting with wine-maker, everyone will find their own personal favourite.

Spier Wine Farm, just outside of Stellenbosch perhaps deserves special mention as a number one tourist destination. It boasts various restaurants (including Mojo, an African experience that has some tables up in the trees), a deli, an art exhibition area, a theatre and a Cheetah and Eagle Sanctuary where visitors are allowed inside the areas with the animals.

There are a host of options for tours if you don�t want to drive it yourself- not recommended when sampling so many fine wines.