Touring Stellenbosch Wine Farms
The Stellenbosch Wine Route came into being after a visit to the wine region of Burgundy by Frans Malan of Simonsig and Niel Joubert of Spier. They approached Spat Sperling of Delheim with the idea of a Wine Route and together, through sheer determination and commitment, the three friends took on the established legislation and red tape and the now world famous Stellenbosch Wine Route was launched in April 1971
From its pioneering days back in the 70’s, to the most visited and most popular Wine Route in the country, the Stellenbosch Wine Route undeniably offers you the biggest variety of Wine Estates in South Africa with over a 150 cellars to choose from. Today the Stellenbosch Wine Route is subdivided into 5 district routes, each of the five routes are along the major arterial roads leading out of Stellenbosch to make it easier for visitors to travel to and by doing so, keeping travelling times and distances shorter.
Greater Simonsberg- Stellenbosch Berg
- Helderberg
- Stellenbosch Valley
- Bottelary Hills
When going on a Wine Tour you have two choices, either do the self drive option, in which case it is advisable to have a designated driver, or you can go on a guided tour. There are many reputable tour guides that offer personalized wine tours, half day tours or a full day Winelands experience.
One not only drinks wine, one smells it, observes it, tastes it, sips it and one talks about it ~ King Edward VII
Wine farms on the Wine Route range from traditional estates to glamorous boutique wine estates. Many of the estates offer wine tasting in beautiful tasting rooms, with knowledgeable wine tasting hosts who help create a relaxed and informal setting that will encourage you to savour the wine tasting experience.
Some of the wine estates offer additional guided tours through vineyards and fruit orchards, where you will learn about the soil preparation, the growing and planting, trellising and pruning, combating diseases and then on to the cellars and the wine making process. If you are interested in a “from the vine, to the barrel, to the glass” experience we recommend you book a full wine estate tour.
View what the various wine estates have to offer in our show case.
Wine is Food ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
There are also wine estates that offer olive/olive oil tasting, cheese tasting and some even chocolate and wine pairing.
Some have modern delicatessens from which you can choose a variety of delicacies to make up your own picnic basket or others offer readymade picnic baskets to be enjoyed on the estate.
Stellenbosch Wine Route has many restaurants from highly acclaimed fine dining to traditional country cuisine.
The Stellenbosch Wine Route is a feast for all the senses!
The Stellenbosch Wine Route with is panoramic views of mountains and its picturesque vineyards is the perfect setting for world class accommodation and luxurious spas that are available at various estates.
Making a good wine is a skill. Fine wine is an art ~ Robert Mondavi
Stellenbosch wines have consistently scooped up international awards and achieved fame with wine connoisseurs world wide. Internationally the Stellenbosch wine region is amongst the top ten Wine destinations in the world as per a global vote – Hotels Combined, press release 2011. Add to this the Title of “ Wine Town of the Year Award” for 2011 by the influential Swedish wine club Munskänkarna, the first time this award has gone to a wine region outside the European borders, no mean feat considering regions such as Champagne – France, Tuscany – Italy, La Rioja – Spain and Mosel – Germany.
Accolades, awards… It just keeps coming!
The fresh air, the spectacular views and the sensational food all add to the Stellenbosch Winelands experience but it’s the wine that makes Benjamin Franklin words ring true…
Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy ~ Benjamin Franklin
