South African Wine Routes
The Full Story
There are currently 23 ‘official’ South African wine routes constituted by geographical wine-growing location, as well as several special interest wine routes such as the Cape 62 wine route, believed to be the longest in the world, as well as the Green Mountain Eco route – the world’s first biodiverse wine route.
1. Stellenbosch Wine Route
2. Durbanville Wine Route
3. Constantia Wine Route
4. Paarl Wine Route
5. Franschhoek Wine Valley
6. Elgin Valley Wine Route
7. Bot River Wine Route
8. Breedekloof Wine Valley
9. Wellington Wine Route
11. Tulbagh Wine Route
12. Worcester Wine & Olive Route
13. Robertson Wine Valley
14. Stanford Wine Route
15. Agulhas Wine Route
16. Darling Wine Route
17. Swartland Wine & Olive Route
18. West Coast Wine Route
19. Klein Karoo Wine Route
20. Plettenberg Bay Winelands
Established in 1971, Stellenbosch is believed to be the oldest South African wine route and the catalyst for the country’s ever increasing wine tourism. This leading wine region plays host to more than 200 acclaimed estates fringed by spectacular mountain views.
Besides offering breath-taking scenery, fine wines and the welcoming atmosphere of a small village, Franschhoek is also considered to be the culinary capital of South Africa. The diverse soils of this region produce a wide variety of quality wines.
The town of Paarl, which dates back to 1657, offers nature, history, culture and food. One of the oldest Wine Routes in the country, this tranquil region is renowned for its rich, full-bodied, spicy reds (Shiraz is a speciality) and crisp whites.
The picturesque town of Wellington, declared a ‘Top Wine Area’ in the 2016 South African Terroir Awards. Surrounded by wine estates, fruit orchards, buchu plantations and olive groves, it’s also home to South Africa’s first indigenous distillery.
The quaint village of Stanford in the Cape Overberg, two hours from Cape Town, is surrounded by ten wineries, ranging from large well-known farms to charming micro establishments. A laidback village surrounded by tranquil landscapes.
South Africa’s smallest wine region, producing a variety of cultivars – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – with award-winning Méthode Cap Classique styles - a premier bubbly location.
From the dry Karoo with its uniquely captivating beauty, to the coastal area of Mossel Bay & enchanting forest areas of the Bitou district, the Eden Wine Route will captivate you.
Bordering Walker Bay – a breeding ground for Southern Right whales on their annual winter migration – is a 20-kilometre stretch of vineyards known for their unique terroir and maritime character, which derive maximum benefit from the high elevation and cool sea breezes.
Darling, ‘the flower of the West Coast’, is an hour’s drive from Cape Town. The town and surrounds are the home of vineyard plantings influenced by the nautical conditions of the nearby Atlantic Ocean.