Winelands South Africa

Stellenbosch Wine Route

The Stellenbosch Wine Route is steeped in recent South African history. Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa and arguably one of the most beautiful, accessible and varied wine regions in the world. It also boasts stone tools of the Acheulean type discovered by Louis Péringuey in 1899 at a site named Bosman’s Crossing. Within a short distance, around half an hour, from Cape Town it invites you to breathtaking views of mountains and vineyards, great wine and award winning restaurants and quaint to luxurious accommodation. Due to its varied terroir and cool ocean breezes in parts, white wines are dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. Red wine is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot , Syrah(Shiraz), Pinotage, Pinot Noir. Bordeaux style blends are very popular for good reason. Stellenbosch was originally laid out, by the Dutch colonists to grow vegetables, but the Huguenots from France quickly made it a center for fine wines. Visiting the Stellenbosch Wine Route, make sure you leave enough time, to enjoy the views and visit one of the many well known restaurants, spas, wineries, vineyards and even stroll through the quaint university campus.

Routes in the Stellenbosch Wine Route:

Due to the Stellenbosch Wine Routes having over 100 members producing wine, the area is divided in 5 regions simply for ease of visiting, not necessarily by terroir, or wine cultivars:

Bottelary Hills, Greater Simonsberg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Valley and Stellenbosch Berg

Bottelary Hills
Bellevue Estate
Beyerskloof
Groenland
Hartenberg Estate
Hazendal
Kaapzicht Wine Estate
Koelenhof Wine Cellar
Kunjani Wines
Mooiplaas Estate
Villiera Wines

Greater Simonsberg
Bartinney Private Cellars
De Meye Wines
Delaire Graff Estate
Delheim Wine Estate
Deux Frères Wines
Glenelly Estate Wines
Kanonkop Wine Estate
L’Avenir Vineyards
Le Pommier Wine Estate
Lievland Wine Estate
Morgenhof Wine Estate
Muratie Wine Estate
Neil Ellis Wines
Oldenburg Vineyards
Quoin Rock
Remhoogte
Simonsig Wine Estate
Slaley Wines
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Warwick Wine Estate
Zorgvliet Wine Estate

Helderberg
Alto Estate
Annandale
Audacia
Avontuur Estate
Cavalli Wines
Ernie Els Wines
Foothills Vineyards
Grangehurst Winery
Guardian Peak
Haskell Vineyards
Hidden Valley Wines
Idiom Wines
Ken Forrester Wines
Le Riche Wines
Longridge Wine Estate
Lyngrove Wines & Vineyards
Miravel
Morgenster Estate
Peter Falke Wines
Pink Valley Wines
Post House Vineyards
Rust en Vrede Wine Estate
Somerbosch Wines
Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards
Vergenoegd Löw The Wine Estate
Waterkloof
Yonder Hill

Stellenbosch Berg
Blaauwklippen Vineyards
Dornier Wines
Keermont Vineyards
Kleine Zalze Wines
Kleinood
Lanzerac Wine Estate
Stark-Condé Wines
Stellenrust Wine Estate
Vriesenhof Vineyards
Waterford Wine Estate

Stellenbosch Valley
Aaldering Vineyards & Wines
Bein Wine Cellar
Boschkloof Wines
Brenaissance Wine & Stud Estate
Clos Malverne Estate
Dalla Cia
De Toren Private Cellar
De Waal Wines
Fleur du Cap at Die Bergkelder
JC Le Roux
Jordan Wine Estate
Le Grand Domaine
Louisvale Wines
Lovane Boutique Wine Estate
Meerlust Estate
Meinert Wines
Middelvlei Wines
Neethlingshof Wine Estate
Overgaauw Estate
Rascallion Wines
Saxenburg Wine Farm
Skilpadvlei
Spier Wine Farm
Stellekaya Winery
The High Road Winery
Usana
Van Ryn’s Distillery & Brandy Cellar
Vredenheim Wine Estate
Zevenwacht Wine Estate

Reasons to visit:

One of the most well known wine regions on the African continent. The Stellenbosch wine route is not only well known, for it’s characterful wines, but in the past few years, for it’s incredible culinary delights, art and cultural events. An area of scenic beauty, this wine region is well worth a memorable romantic visit, but also several child-friendly destinations. The vibrant old town of Stellenbosch, livens up with student life of the local university and many sidewalk restaurants.

Best time to visit:

This region is beautiful year round. Sunny days can be expected in the summer months, unique flowers in spring, colourful autumn oaks and rainy and crisper days in winter. All seasons, however have their own unique charms, in this all-season destination.

On route:
Historical charming wine estates and restaurants,
University of Stellenbosch,
Walking tours, through romantic vineyards and nature reserves,
Craft Gin and brandy distilleries,
Craft beer breweries,
Game and wildlife adventures
Highlights on the route:
Stellenbosch wine routes,
Stellenbosch
Things to do or see on the Stellenbosch wine route:
Outdoors:
E-Fatbiking,
Mountain Biking.
Side-tracks:
Several craft markets on weekends,
Art galleries,
Food markets

South African home grown:

Several vineyards in this region have fine examples, of original Cape Dutch style architecture, as manor houses and cellar buildings, as well as more modern designs, that blend into the mountainsides and vineyards. The town of Stellenbosch also boasts a grand collection of protected architecture.