With stunning scenery, gastronomical delights and a range of outdoor activities, the lifestyle on offer in the Cape Winelands is incomparable to anywhere in the world.
There’s a heady recipe to the Cape Winelands lifestyle: take stunning mountain scenery, add picturesque vineyards, historic small towns, seriously good food and wine, and season it well with hiking trails in unspoilt nature reserves, outdoor activities and world-class golf courses.
Whether you choose the Winelands as a place to bring up your family, a place to retire or a destination for regular indulgent holidays, its unique beauty will cast a spell on you.
“Where else can you do a wine tasting tour on horseback?” says Natalie Scheepers, Baruch Guest House in Stellenbosch. “My personal favourite is wine tasting with the tuk-tuk.”
These private wine tours are a popular activity for visitors. “The Wine Tram is the best thing that happened to Franschhoek to put accessibility on the map,” says Colin Atkins, Le Petit Paris in Franschhoek. Using the original railway tracks laid down in 1904 the tram links many of the Franschhoek Valley wine estates on a hop-on, hop-o¬ basis.
With fine-dining destinations such as Foliage, Ryan’s Kitchen, Reuben's, Grande Provence and The Kitchen at Maison, the village of Franschhoek is a gourmet food haven. There’s so much fantastic food on wine estates throughout the Winelands, and gourmet picnics in summer, that you could eat out in style at a di¬fferent establishment for months on end.
And the charming university town of Stellenbosch, its historic streets lined with oak trees, is unmatched in its mix of a¬ffordable cafes, artisan delis, farmers’ markets and restaurants.
The mountain backdrop that frames the Winelands landscape allows nature to be woven into everyday life for residents and visitors, with hiking to waterfalls, mountain bike trails and summer picnic concerts to delight in. “Our guests love the botanical gardens in the town centre, the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, and there’s a wonderful, small game reserve at the Villiera Estate,” says Gwen Hugo, Aan Dorpstraat Guest House in Stellenbosch.
For a change of scenery, she suggests heading to the beaches close by or a coastal drive along the R44 with amazing views and penguins at Betty’s Bay. International visitors also come to the area to enjoy the world-class golf courses.
With rolling lawns, mountain streams and plenty of space to run and play, the wine estates are paradise for kids too. Animal lovers can visit Butterfly World, Giraffe House or Eagle Encounters, classic car enthusiasts will enjoy the Wijnland Auto Museum, and the Root 44 market is perfect for the whole family.
Residents appreciate the excellent amenities of the Winelands, such as the renowned schools in Stellenbosch, Somerset West and Paarl; Stellenbosch University; and good hospitals. Each town has its own character and a strong community feel, which isn’t diluted by the number of visitors but rather shared with them.
“People here are naturally friendly; they have time not only to talk, but, more importantly, to listen to each other,” says Colin. “The mix of a quiet, simple countryside with competitive wine making, restaurants and hospitality is fascinating.”
Guests come to Franschhoek expecting a small village which they think they can absorb in a day, but end up wanting a week to even get a small taste of all that is on offer.”
-Colin Atkins of Le Petit Paris Guest House.
Dine out:
- Overture at Hidden Valley Wines, Stellenbosch
- The Restaurant at Waterkloof, Somerset West
- The Kitchen at Maison, Franschhoek
- Foliage, Franschhoek
- Camphors at Vergelegen, Somerset West
- The Goatshed Restaurant at Fairview, Paarl
Kid-friendly activities:
- The Duck Parade at Vergenoegd, Stellenbosch
- Eagle Encounters at Spier, Stellenbosch
- Franschhoek Motor Museum, Franschhoek
- Toy and Miniature Museum, Stellenbosch
- Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre, Stellenbosch
Stay in the Winelands
- Auberge Daniella, Franschhoek
- 5 Seasons Guesthouse, Stellenbosch
- Grande Roche Hotel, Paarl
- Edelweiss B&B, Stellenbosch
- Winelands Villa Guesthouse and Cottages, Somerset West
- Cascade Country Manor, Paarl
- Baruch Guest House, Stellenbosch
- Le Petit Paris, Franschhoek
- Aan Dorpstraat Guest House, Stellenbosch
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
