Cape Winelands Holidays

You can’t go on holiday to the Cape Winelands without visiting Stellenbosch. The second-oldest town in South Africa, this charming place is filled with Cape Dutch architecture, tree-lined streets and plenty of history. You can easily walk around the compact centre, hopping between cosy coffee shops, boutiques and art galleries. And in the surrounding foothills, you’ll find the famous Stellenbosch vineyards.

Encompassing more than 200 wineries, Stellenbosch has five wine routes – Bottelary Hills, Greater Simonsberg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Berg and Stellenbosch Valley. It’s best to visit a few Stellenbosch vineyards, if you can, as each one has its own distinct personality and produce. Make sure you try a glass of Pinotage – this fruity red was first created in Stellenbosch in 1924.

There are a number of places to stay here, but Spier Hotel Stellenbosch is the most famous. Dating back to 1692, it’s one South Africa’s oldest wine farms. As well as producing award-winning wines, they also grow all their fruit and vegetables organically on site – so you can enjoy an authentic taste of Stellenbosch.

Travel 30 miles east of Stellenbosch and you’ll reach the scenic Franschhoek Valley. Like Stellenbosch, Franschhoek is one of the oldest towns in South Africa – French Huguenots settled here in 1688, and the town’s name literally means ‘French Corner’. You’ll notice that a lot of vineyards still use their French name, and the wine here is very different to elsewhere in the Cape Winelands.

Thanks to its French heritage, Franschhoek is adept at producing sparkling white wine. Most vineyards use the traditional ‘Methode Cap Classique’, which is the same method used to make Champagne. So, if you enjoy a glass of bubbly, a visit to Franschhoek is a must. You’ll also be able to try crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, and full-bodied reds like Merlot and Pinot Noir.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is the best way to explore. This open-air tram meanders through some of South Africa’s most notable wine estates, and the hop-on hop-off system means it’s easy for you to go at your own pace. You’ll have great views of the surrounding mountains, too.

In total contrast to the lush Cape Winleands, the Cederberg Mountains – about 100 miles north – are a rusty shade of orange, with jagged peaks and incredible rock formations. Spanning for 70 hectares, this wilderness area is filled with hiking trails, and is also popular with rock-climbers. You can visit Stadsaal Caves and see ancient rock paintings, swim in natural pools at Maalgat, or simply drive through the mountains and admire the scenery.

A trip to the Cederberg Mountains also gives you the chance to spot some of South Africa’s famous wildlife. You’re likely to see antelope, baboons and dassies – large ostrich-like birds. If you keep your eyes peeled, you could also spot an aardvark, a honey badger or a Cape fox. And, if you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the elusive leopard.

There’s no bad time to go on holiday to South Africa’s Winelands. New vintages are released between September and April, but you can go on a wine tour any time of year. In winter, you can sip rich reds while you snuggle up by the fire, while summer is all about al fresco lunches and wine-tasting in the sun.

December to February is the hottest time of year, when temperatures often reach 28^oC. But the weather is dry and mild from November all the way through to April, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine.

When planning your holiday, it’s also worth considering where else you’d like to go in South Africa. If you’d like to travel along the Garden Route as well, you’ll want to visit during the warmer months. But if whale-watching in Hermanus is on your wish-list, you’ll need to plan your trip between June and December.