The Cape Winelands around the range of mountains to the east of Cape Town were settled in the 1600's by settlers from European countries who brought their knowledge of viticulture with them. Many of these early settlers were French Huguenots and their legacy can still be found in the names of the estates, La Provence, La Motte, Haute Provence and L'Ormarins -- some of the better known producers of fine wines, founded by those early pioneers.

The Wine Route, as it is known, is a popular day tour from Cape Town with most of the estates offering wine tasting and sales. Many of them also include top quality restaurants while others provide picnic baskets which can be enjoyed in the estates' gardens.

The Cape Winelands towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Somerset West, Paarl & Wellington offer a variety excellent accommodation establishments and conference or function venues.

The Cape Winelands around the range of mountains to the east of Cape Town were settled in the 1600's by settlers from European countries who brought their knowledge of viticulture with them. Many of these early settlers were French Huguenots and their legacy can still be found in the names of the estates, La Provence, La Motte, Haute Provence and L'Ormarins are some of the better known producers of fine wines founded by those early pioneers.

The Wine Route, as it is known, is a popular day tour from Cape Town with most of the estates offering wine tasting and sales. Many of them also include top quality restaurants while others provide picnic baskets which can be enjoyed on the lawns
under shady oaks, one of the first to offer this type of catering is Boschendal Estate, situated between the university town of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the estate is a producer of several excellent wines.

The pocket sized town of Franschhoek boasts some 27 restaurants at last count with an enormous variety of choice, from gourmet breakfasts to top quality dinners including smoked trout from the clear and unpolluted local rivers and lakes.

The Cape Winelands towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Somerset West, Paarl & Wellington offer a variety excellent accommodation establishments and conference or function venues.

Franschhoek

The fertile valley of Franschhoek lies nestled between towering mountains at the heart of the Cape Winelands. Founded in 1688 by French Huguenots, the picturesque village of Franschhoek has become world-famous for its warm hospitality, superb cuisine and outstanding arts and crafts. Bastille day on the 14th of July celebrates the village's French Heritage with a festival of fine French food and Wine. The Huguenots (French Protestants) fled from their homeland because of religious persecution by the Catholic monarch, Lois XIV. Facing an uncertain future as refugees, a group of them arrived at the Cape, taking up the Dutch East India Company's offer of land of their own and a new beginning. Of those first newcomers, some were settled in a valley so remote that migrating elephant made the first track crossing the mountains. From those early farms of La Motte and Cabriere, a village grew into what is today called Franschhoek.

Here vineyards and fruit farms, interspersed with clumps of pine trees, form a delicately interwoven tapestry of mingling colours and shades. Amongst the patchwork of farms in this valley are some of South Africa's oldest and most famous wine estates. The grand old Cape Dutch farmhouses and Wine stores have watched proudly over the land for centuries, and are still producing some of South Africa's top wines today. This  area has become the food and wine heartland of the country, where splendid wines are grown and top chefs create international cuisine.
 
The graceful Voortrekker Monument stands proudly at the top of the village to honour the founders of Franschhoek, and the museum nearby chronicles the history of those brave pioneers, with each of the original Huguenot farms having its own fascinating story to tell.
In the village you will find wonderful crafts, art and antique shops and galleries. The main streets are lined with coffee shops and restaurants. Only 45 minutes from Cape Town, this town can easily be your home base as you explore this beautiful region.
 
Stellenbosch
 
Stellenbosch, the oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town, is undoubtedly the most scenic and historically-preserved town in Southern Africa. Oak-lined streets next to water furrows compliment the many fine examples of elegant Cape Dutch, Victorian and Georgian architecture - all part of this unique "Town of Oaks".

The town, ideally situated in a magnificent mountain valley, boasts a mild Mediterranean climate and is another ideal destination from which to explore the Winelands, Cape Town, the Peninsula and the many tourists attractions that the area has to offer.
 
On 6 November 1679 the newly-appointed Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, discovered a river running through a fertile, green valley. This  was the first river he crossed on his journey from Cape Town and that is why he named it the Eerste (First) river.He decided to establish a settlement here and named it after himself - Stellenbosch. Within a short period the first settlers arrived. By 1682 the town had become a local authority and in 1685 it became the seat of a magistrate with authority over 25 000 square kilo-metres. Grapes were planted in the fertile valleys and soon Stellenbosch became the centre of the wine industry. In 1971 the world-renowned Stellenbosch Wine Route was established.

Stellenbosch is not only the center of the country's wine industry, but is also home to the world-renowned Stellenbosch University, and a number of national and international industries have their headquarters here. Events and activities take place throughout the year, ranging from music, street, wine and art festivals to international sporting events. Even more importantly, it is a tranquil, friendly town and a prime tourist and conference destination.

Surrounded by rolling vineyards and dramatic mountains, Stellenbosch, only 30 minutes from Cape Town, offers the best in Western Cape warmth and hospitality. The stunning backdrop of the Hottentots Holland mountains, the grand tree-lined lanes and streets and the white gabled Cape Dutch homesteads all combine to give the visitor to Stellenbosch an unforgettable experience. It is also the perfect base from which to explore the magnificent surrounding countryside or take day trips to Cape Point and Table Mountain, a helicopter ride, or to take a boat or fishing trip off one of the Cape's famous beaches. The Stellenbosch Wine Region today is synonymous with high quality award winning wines. Stellenbosch is situated in the heart of the celebrated Cape Wine Route which comprises 23 private cellars and 5 co-operative wineries which produce a large variety of red and white wines, where one can taste and purchase wines from the various estates. Discover the rich natural beauty of the Stellenbosch Winelands on foot, horseback, from a hot air balloon or on a mountain bike. Ample opportunities exist for angling and game viewing enthusiasts, as well as a number of land and water sports.  There are delightful shops both in and around the town centre that offer a wide variety of products including art, home and fresh produce, pottery and ceramics, jewellery and of course the local wines for collection or delivery locally or abroad.

Paarl
 
Visitors to Paarl are struck by several things when they arrive – the beauty of the Valley, the pristine blue sky, the rolling vineyards and the Pearl of Paarl set high above the valley. This bustling town lies cradled in the picturesque Berg River valley, between the second largest granite outcropping in the world and the towering Du Toitskloof Mountains.

Paarl, a mere 60km’s from Cape Town and less than an hour by car from the golden beaches of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, is renowed not only for its illustrious past and unrivaled scenic beauty. Paarl also presents visitors with an array of attractions, scenic drives, hiking trails, wine tasting opportunities, excellent restaurants and a variety of accommodation establishments.The magnificent countryside, good wines and friendly people welcome you to a town where a feeling of tranquility still transcends modern day living.

In addition to many various delights, Paarl houses the headquarters of a number of large agricultural, manufacturing and financial companies.  Paarl also houses some of the oldest schools in the Cape and is home to the Boland Cricket Park which hosts international events.  Paarl made headlines when Nelson Mandela was released from the Victor Verster prison, on the outskirts of the town, to freedom and the start of the "new South Africa."

Wellington
 
Conveniently close to many places of interest and all the Cape’s popular wine, brandy and fruit routes, scenic mountain passes nearby,  and easy access to the Cape Town International Airport, Wellington is a central point from which you can explore the Boland and  Western Cape. A pleasant few hours journey by car sees the grand displays of wild flowers of the Cape West Coast in Spring, while Cape Town City, the sunny golden beaches of the Peninsula and the whales of False Bay are within an hour’s reach. Historic Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Tulbagh and Paarl are neighbouring towns.