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The way of wine

The way of wine (South Africa)

Practical information on The way of wine

  • Romantic
  • Countryside
  • Vineyards
  • Festivals
  • Place or Historical Monument
  • Essential
5 / 5 - One review
How to get there
30 minutes' drive from Cape Town
When to go
In summer and in autumn, from November to March
Minimum stay
3 to 5 days

Reviews of The way of wine

Camille Griffoulieres Seasoned Traveller
116 written opinions

Situated in the back country of the Cape, it is centred around Stellenbosch , Paarl and Franschhoek in the west and Wellington, Robertson and Worcester in the east.

My suggestion:
Avoid driving if you are doing the wine route as your alcohol level can rise quite quickly with all the wine tasting. The western part is very touristic and more renowned, the eastern part much less, although just as pretty.
My review

The wine region is magnificent, the vines are hemmed in by the mountains and the French Huguenots who imported the vines here some 300 years ago also thought to bring along oak trees and lavender. The completely white-washed towns like Stellenbosch are very beautiful, the colonial architecture is very well conserved, with pretty oak-lined avenues everywhere.

I alternated visits to lovely estates for the scenery with ones to renowned wineries with high tech wine tasting rooms and panoramic views. I enjoyed losing myself in the less frequented vineyards around Robertson and Wellington where the landscape is grandiose and there are also many wineries that produce brandy (local cognac) and cheese.

These last are not as good as ours but they are nice to serve with full-bodied red wines, especially the famous pinotage, South Africa's own vine created from black pinot and cinsault.

Wine route landscape in winter