The Cape Winelands area is known for its unsurpassed natural beauty with its mountains, massive vineyards and historic wine estates. The Western Cape is the wine capital of South Africa and is found less than an hour away from Cape Town. Anyone from serious wine buffs to absolute novices will enjoy visiting wine estates, eating at top restaurants and experiencing the culture, history and scenic beauty.

Famous for its historic buildings and oak line streets, Stellenbosch is an ideal point to start exploring the area. The Stellenbosch wine route is the oldest route in the country and incorporates the wine farms surrounding this historic university town. Today the route is divided into five sub-routes: the Helderberg, the Valley, Berg, Greater Simonsberg and Bottelary Hills routes.

Daily wine tastings, cellar tours and sales are offered at cellars on all the different routes. Apart from a wide choice of top-class wines, some vineyards offer cheese tastings in addition to the wine. Wine tasting fees vary from estate to estate. One usually buys a glass in the tasting room to taste the wines. Tutored tastings and customized tours are available at some estates.

Many of the estates have their own restaurants. At these restaurants one can taste a variety of local dishes, including venison, bobotie and snoek. International cuisine is offered too. Day tours usually include a leisurely lunch on one of the estates. Other items like olives, berries, baked goods and organic produce are often available for purchase.

The traditional French town of Franschhoek lies in a valley surrounded by vineyards and mountains. This makes it a good springboard to many wine estates. There are a number of top quality establishments offering accommodation in the area. It is also notable for its restaurants and its main street is lined with both restaurants and coffee shops.

Tourists wanting to experience history or culture have plenty of opportunity to do so. Stroll along the oak lined Main Road of Paarl and see the old Thatched Roof Church - one of the oldest and most historic churches in the country. Visit museums, art galleries and craft shops scattered throughout the area and appreciate the unique architecture.

Regional wine festivals are often held in the winelands and the different estates arrange special events throughout the year as well. Every estate has different attractions too such as tractor rides, horse-and-carriage rides through the vineyards and musical events. There are even wellness centers and spas on some estates.

As the Cape Winelands is an extensive area offering many different experiences, it is important to explore all the options available before making any bookings. It is possible to hire a car or to use a professional tour operator. Alternatively some of the wine routes use shuttle services or hop-on-hop off buses. Whatever means you choose to explore, this stunningly beautiful area is a must see.