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.
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