The large mountainous Winelands of South Africa is home to more than a hundred estates and farms. Stellenbosch, around 46 kms east of Cape Town, is a charming town founded in 1679 by Gov. Simon van der Stel, who among other achievements, planted hundreds of oak trees throughout the Cape. Today, Stellenbosch is known informally as Eikestad, or “City of Oaks“, and is the most historic of the Winelands towns.

 

 

 

 

 

Another 33 kms east of Stollenbosch is the prettiest valley of Franschhoek or French Corner. This is the land that Simon van der Stel gave the French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in 1688. This small valley, surrounded by soaring mounts, boasts the highest concentration of top-quality restaurants in Africa.

Groot Costancia Wine Estate is actually located in a southern suburb of Cape Town. It is South Africa‘s oldest wine farm situated below the eastern contours of Table Mountain. It is also home to some of the country’s most interesting Cape Dutch architecture.