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Destinations

Where to go in Cape Winelands

A trip to the Western Cape is not complete without a jaunt through the Cape Winelands. The only problem you may have is choosing where to go and which of the hundreds of truly fabulous options to choose! Closest to Cape Town is the Constantia Wine Route, encompassing nine farms in the beautiful southern suburb of Constantia. Venture further out to Stellenbosch for some of the oldest Cape Dutch farms and working vineyards in the region, or to the quaint, French settler town of Franschhoek for glitzy vineyards and mouthwatering cuisine. The Hemel en Aarde Valley near Hermanus is also stunning, and you might be lucky enough to spot a whale as you sip – or is that just too many glasses of wine?!

The Franschhoek Valley

A French-inspired village surrounded by superlative scenery, sun-drenched vineyards and unmatched restaurants

For a hedonistic few days of the best kind of indulgence – of food, of wine, of shopping and of breath-taking views – Franschhoek is the bees knees. A tiny yet incredibly buzzy village in the heart of the Winelands, it was established by French Huguenots in 1688 (the name literally means “French Corner”) and became an enclave of European culture and experience. Today, it’s the gastronomic capital of the country and home to the crème-de-la- crème of restaurants and wineries. From Michelin stars to foraged cuisine, and vineyards with boutique winemakers to picnics accompanied by a glass of something cold, epicurean delights abound – and they are all exquisite. Enjoy them from the wine tram, an old-fashioned rail car that rattles around the valley and stops at a selection of farms. Then, once you’ve tasted-tested your way around, take some time to enjoy the stunning natural scenery: mountainous Mont Rochelle reserve is the place to walk or hike in style (and admire the breath-taking views), or hire a bike and peddle around the farm paths and trails. And don’t forget a morning in the village, peeping into the cool-as-a-cucumber galleries and boutiques and sipping coffee and croissants, Parisian-style...

The Franschhoek Valley

Stellenbosch

The perfect backdrop to a culinary, historical and wine-orientated stay in the Winelands.
South Africa’s second-oldest settlement (Cape Town just pips it to the post), Stellenbosch is an enchanting town in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Punctuated by majestic, oak-lined streets and Cape Dutch buildings, you’ll find a good dollop of culture to accompany the sipping of some seriously-good wines. A university town, the streets buzz with carefree students hopping in and out of wine bars and restaurants, and there’s usually a Capetonian or two to be found checking out the latest boutiques. Join them and spend your mornings strolling around the town centre, stopping for leisurely, alfresco coffees and dipping into the museums, churches and galleries. If it’s wine that has led you to this part of the world, then head into the mountains. It’s here that the majority of estates are located, sun-drenched and watched over by the magnificent peaks, with expert-led tastings, picnics in the gardens of Cape Dutch homesteads and a selection of fun and funky pairing experiences (the chocolate and wine tasting at Waterford is heavenly). So, book a driver and a car, pack a Platter’s Wine Guide, and let us know which one is your favourite…
Stellenbosch

Robertson

A charming wine-making town where down-to-earth living is the name of the game
Lying in the shadow of the stately Langeberg Mountains and with a varied, 150-year history of agriculture, wagon-making and ostrich-farming, Robertson is a quaint, quirky and oh-so unpretentious Winelands town. The jacaranda-filled streets are lined with Victorian architecture and a small selection of tearooms and restaurants that will make you wonder which decade you stepped into… Today, the town is still a farming community but with an emphasis on wine and fruit and, with wall-to-wall sunshine (almost) 365-days of the year and scorching summer temperatures, the wines are rich, intense and produced in large quantities. It’s also the unofficial start of the Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, and the numerous wineries offer down-to-earth settings in which to taste different grapes – or a spot to relax under the trees for a languid afternoon of sipping followed by a genteel cruise up and down the Breede River, glass in hand.
Robertson

Tulbagh

Embrace the slow life in this small town that’s a window into the real South African countryside
Peaceful, rural and surrounded by a towering trio of rugged mountain ranges and golden wheat fields, Tulbagh encapsulates day-to-day South African life. Dating back to the early 1700s, it’s the fourth-oldest town in South Africa and the Cape Dutch, Edwardian and Victorian buildings are a nod to the traditional roots. At its heart is lovely Church Street, home to 32 provincial monuments, landscaped gardens and handsome guesthouses and B&Bs, whilst the vines sprawl out on all sides. In recent years, wine-producing has soared (especially in Mèthode Cap Classique production, South Africa’s answer to champagne) and alongside the old estates you’ll find state-of-the-art cellars, contemporary tasting rooms and plenty of young vines to tickle your taste buds. But, it’s not all about the grapes and there’s a host of activities to keep everyone entertained: try a bike tour around the back country, hike through juicy fruit farms into the folds of the mountains, taste craft beer and olive oil, horse ride, or dip into the local restaurants and get to know your roosterkoeks from your bobotie.
Tulbagh

Paarl

Embark on the Paarl Wine Route for rustic wine farms, spicy shiraz and even a taste of craft beer.
Just like its Cape Winelands neighbours, Paarl is steeped in history and cultural heritage and well-known for its vineyards and wine-making expertise. The town itself is just north of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in the heart of the third largest of the region’s wine valleys and sheltered by the dramatic mountains of the Groenberg, Limietberg and Hawekwa ranges. The most striking of all, however, is the magnificent Pearl Rock, a granite outcrop that is often compared to Australia’s Ayers Rock and crowned by the Taal Monument, an architecturally-designed homage to the Afrikaans language that originated in the area. Spanning out from here are the 28 wine farms that make up the Paarl Wine Route. Rural in appearance but incredibly innovative in their techniques (the first white pinotage in the world was bottled here), farms include the famous Fairview and it’s motley crew of cheeky goats (and excellent cheese), Glen Carlou for award-winning chardonnay, and Spice Route, for wine and charcuterie tastings under the trees and home to one of the country’s favourite craft breweries, CBC.
Paarl
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