Centred on the towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, in beautiful valleys between steep, craggy ridges, the Winelands is blessed with not just amazing scenery, but also the ideal climate for vines and their delicious end product. A day exploring the Winelands may well involve tasting the wines and learning about the production processes at three or four different estates: this way you get to see a range of ideas and settings, from the ultra-modern, boutique set-up somewhere like La Motte, to the traditional architecture and classic wines of Warwick; from the educational and commercially successful operation at Fairview, to the wonderful setting geared towards strolls amidst the vines and picnics under the trees at Boschendal. The beauty of nearly all the estates from the large, visitor-focussed places to the tiny garagistes, is that they’ll readily show you around and talk you through their wines, even if you drop in unannounced. As well as the wine and the scenery, the towns in this region offer cafes, art galleries, craft shops and museums; not to mention the amazing restaurants, as the Winelands quite rightly claims the crown of gourmet capital of South Africa. Altogether, you’ll return from your day in the Winelands wiser, more relaxed, slightly broader round the waist and carrying a couple of bottles of a magical vintage you’ve managed to unearth.
