The Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands are among South Africa’s most treasured regions, famous for their historic estates, scenic valleys, and world-class wines. The first vines arrived in 1655 from German, French, Spanish, and Bohemian vineyards, and by 1659, Jan van Riebeeck proudly recorded that wine had been made from Cape grapes for the first time.

Professional winemaking took off under Simon van der Stel, who founded Stellenbosch, the second-oldest Dutch settlement in South Africa, nestled in a fertile valley east of Cape Town. The arrival of Huguenot refugees in Franschhoek between 1688 and 1690 further boosted the industry, establishing a wine-growing tradition that remains world-renowned today.

Despite challenges such as the phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th century, South African winemakers revived production by importing resistant vines from America, restoring the vineyards by 1918. Today, the Cape Winelands remain a vibrant blend of history, culture, and exceptional wine experiences, attracting visitors from around the world.