Hermanus Wine Route, Overberg, Western Cape
Hermanus is best known for its spectacular land-based whale-watching but there is actually much more to this area.
The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus has become one of the best wine growing areas in South Africa. Discovered in the 1980’s for its unique combination of climatic conditions, mountain slopes and valleys and soil conditions, a number of wineries have been established here. Vineyards now carpet the slopes and the valley, interspersed with some of the best fynbos in the Cape. The Western Cape is world-renowned for the most diverse floral kingdom in the world and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is home to some of the best examples.
The area is best known for the Pinot Noir variety of red wine grapes although the varied terroirs make it possible to produce a wide range of white and red wines. The conditions are very similar to those found in the south of France and the wines produced here are as good if not better, particularly the Pinot Noir. Because the wine estates are relatively new they have state-of-the-art wine making facilities to take full advantage of the natural quality of the grapes.
The wine route is a refreshing change from the historical wine estates close to Cape Town. The architecture is interestingly modern with hints of the Cape vernacular. The restaurants and wine tasting facilities are excellent and the wine is exceptional
The views from the estates are truly amazing and they are dedicated to preserving the unique flora and fauna in the area. As part of your visit to Hermanus or as a day trip from Cape Town, a visit to this beautiful valley should not be missed.
We have chosen the following four estates for your tour of this unique wine route:
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Bouchard Finlayson is a boutique winery situated in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley near the seaside town of Hermanus. The valley was discovered in the 1970’s to be an excellent wine growing area. Read more … | |||
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Sumaridge Wine Estate lies in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near the seaside town of Hermanus in the Western Cape – an easy hour and a half’s drive from Cape Town. This is a particularly beautiful part of the Western Cape with an exceptional array of flora and fauna – an especially good place to experience the famed Cape fynbos. Read more … | |||
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Newton Johnson Wine Estate is situated about an hour and a half from Cape Town in the wine growing Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near the seaside town of Hermanus, famous for some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. Read more … | |||
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Creation Wine Estate is situated in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge near Hermanus in the Western Cape where cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, the mountain slopes and the ideal soil condition combine to make the area one of the best wine growing areas in the world. Read more … | |||
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Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Estate is situated in the Sunday’s Glen wine ward of the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus. The terroir of the westerly slopes is more suited to the Bordeaux cultivars Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon blanc and Semillon, while the easterly slopes favour the cultivation of Rhône cultivars such as Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Viognier. The “Kelder” and Tasting Room are located at the Hemel-en-Aarde Village, at the foot of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. |
See Winelands of the Western Cape
| More info on the town of Pringle Bay | More info on the Cape Overberg |
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