Wine Routes |
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Taste the Cape’s famous and award winning wines and brandies directly on the prestigious wine estates and visit the popular wine cellars of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Somerset West, Wellington, Durbanville, Kuilsriver and Paarl etc. Cheese tasting is another popular attraction. Franschhoek is a trendy and historical village, situated in a most idyllic valley between the Groot Drakenstein Mountains and the Klein Drakenstein Mountains. Visit the French Huguenot Monument, taste an array of the best of wines in the company of top winemakers and expand your knowledge of viniculture and viticulture. Meet leading winemakers on private cellar tours and view historic farmhouses The Assegaaibosch is home to the Blushing Bride Protea also known as ‘the pride of Franschoek’, and also the source of the Berg River. The last elephant was seen departing from the valley in 1850. The Drakenstein Prison, formally known as the Victor Verster, was the site of Mandela’s release. Take a stroll along Dorp, Bird, Reyneveld and Merriman streets in Stellenbosch, there is a lot more to this historical student town. Stellenbosch is filled with artists, florists, designers, craft, culture, and a hip new generation of trendy shops restaurants and galleries. Visit the interesting historical Dorps Museum and Colony House (circa 1694) built by the Dutch East India Company and the over a century old Oom Samie se Winkel for wines and memorabilia. A real treat is the Saturday morning Organic Farmers Market and The Fresh Goods Market where you can stock up on fresh produce, olive oils, cheeses, dried fruits, nuts plaasbrood, honey, preserves and more. For live performances, watch a show at Dorp Street Restaurant Theatre. At just 45 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, Riebeek Kasteel, Riebeek West and Hermon nestle in the Riebeek Valley. The Kasteelberg stands sentinel over the towns. The home of Jan Christiaan Smuts and Daniel Francois Malan, who helped shape the development of South Africa. Riebeek Kasteel is the ideal country retreat- bursting with interesting people to meet, places to see and things to do. Once known as the Garden of the Cape, the area is blessed with rich, fertile soil, and a favorable Mediterranean climate. French- inspired cafés and delicatessens, oak- dappled courtyards, rustic homemade breads, French inspired wrought iron furniture and the ultimate alfresco dinners are yours for the taking. Home of some of the finest olives, olive oils, tapenades and wines, so be sure to go to the Riebeek Olive Boutique to taste the olives cured and marinated in a myriad ways, as well as beauty products. Kloovenburg’s extra virgin olive oil has won impressive international awards. This farm is over 300 years old. Visit the annual Olive Festival with a plethora of food, wine, and olive tasting opportunities. Stock your cellars direct from the nearby farms. Allesverloren is the oldest wine estate in the region and has a reputation that befits its 300-year old existence. Be sure to buy its award-winning port and excellent reds. The Royal Hotel boasts a classic, contemporary cigar lounge. Quaint accommodation and inns, exquisite scenery, and bird song as your wake –up call, make the stay for you most memorable. Bartholomeus Klip farm, Riebeek Kasteel, is nestled in the Elandsberg. This 16 000-acre farm boasts an impressive fynbos population and a buffalo-breeding colony. The fabulous game drives, pristine garden, fly fishing, mountain biking, gourmet meals and more, make it another highlight to visit.
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