Winelands and Garden Route

Perhaps one of the most famous trips to soak up nature and everything else your journey uncovers is the Garden Route. Stretching from Heidelberg to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River, the Garden Route gives you everything from historic towns, to vast national parks, to all sorts of activities like scuba diving, trekking and more. Along the route you’ll come to the Klein Karoo, a landscape of imposing mountains and gorges; coastal plateaus, arid valleys; the Cango Caves; Tsitsikamma National Park and more.

For wine enthusiasts, or even those that enjoy the odd drop every now and then, the winelands in South Africa have to be on the itinerary. Leisurely taste, try and find new favourites while exploring the history of manors and vineyards dating back centuries. Every wineland has a unique flavour and story to tell that will keep you going back to the tasting tray for more.

Paarl Winelands

Even before you taste the wines on offer at Paarl winelands you can’t help but be impressed. Named for the huge granite rock towering above it and framed by the Groot and Klein Drakenstein and Franschhoek mountains, Paarl winelands was founded in 1687 and today is home for wines considered among the best in the world, especially the regions famed and award-winning reds. With so much to see, taste and take in, it would be easy to while-away many days exploring the 40 wine estates and taking scenic excursions over the mountain passes.

Worcester Winelands

Dating back to 1819 and named after the Marquis of Worcester, today Worcester winelands is home to the world’s largest brandy still, two brandy cellars and three private wineries – Slanghoek Wine Cellar, award winning Nuy Wine Cellar and internationally acclaimed Du Toits Kloof Wine Cellar. The business centre of the Breede River Valley, Worcester winelands will whet your palate with great quality wines and the best value in the Western Cape.

Franschhoek Winelands

Outlawed from France in 1685, Franschhoek is where many Huguenot refugees settled and established the first winelands in the area. Home to some of South Africa’s best wines, Franschhoek winelands has more than 40 wine farms with a range red and white wines that are truly hard to beat. If you are lucky enough to be travelling in April, make the trip for the harvest and Franschhoek Oesfrees, a festival of food, wine and music, to truly soak up the atmosphere of the region.

Stellenbosch Winelands

The leading winelands in South Africa, Stellenbosch dates back to 1679 and today has 60 estates. Based on a huge by founder Simon van der Steele that the climate would be ideal for wine, Stellenbosch keeps visitors busy with South Africa’s oldest wine route, some of the best restaurants in the Western Cape and a range of activities like horse riding, trekking, galleries and museums for times between tasting.

Groot Constantia Winelands

Dating back to 1679, Groot Constantia winelands is on the site of one of the Cape’s great homesteads, the Groot Constantia Manor. On the Southern slopes of Table Mountain, the winelands boasts world renowned estates such as Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig, and Steenberg and an intriguing history told through Cape Dutch architecture, historic museums, and of course, fine wine.