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Explore the Cape Winelands, with its backdrop of majestic mountain ranges, lush valleys and verdant vineyards. You can follow the various wine routes and stop for tastings at wine estates along the way. You will have the chance to purchase and ship home some of the wines you have tasted.
South African wine has a proud history dating back to 1659, when the first wine recorded in South Africa was produced by the founder of the Cape, Jan van Riebeeck. French Huguenots settled in the Franschhoek Valley in the late seventeenth century, seeking refuge from religious persecution in Europe and bringing with them precious root-stock to establish the wine-growing industry in South Africa. By the time of Napoleon, wine produced by Constantia, a vineyard near Cape Town, was considered by Europeans to be one of the greatest wines in the world. Anti-apartheid sanctions hit the wine industry hard, but since independence in 1994, access to international markets has unleashed a burst of new energy and new investment, and South African wines are once again winning awards across the world.
The Cape Winelands region has a Mediterranean climate that is marked by intense sunlight and dry heat in summer, with cold and wet winters – ideal climatic conditions for viticulture.
There are 18 different wine routes, but the principal ones are the Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Wine Routes, with the Hermanus, Worcester, Wellington, Darling and Robertson Wine Routes also featuring prominently. Each wine route has a wide range of wine estates and wineries: ranging from historical to avant garde and from garagiste to large scale producers. Many of the wine estates offer informative guided wine-tastings to the public as well as cellar tours or tours of the vineyards. Some of them also make cheese, chocolate and olive oil and offer tastings of these products alongside their wines. Many of them have on-site restaurants offering food that ranges from gastronomical delights to picnic hampers to enjoy under the oak trees.
Even if you are not a wine lover, there is plenty to do in the Winelands and it is a great family destination.
Winelands Highlights
+27 87 353 7870
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I joined Pembury Tours in 2002 as a trainee tour consultant after returning to South Africa from the United Kingdom. Whilst living in London I loved researching and planning holidays and sightseeing trips for myself, and I am now really enjoying planning memorable tours for clients. I did a degree in micro-biology, so I suppose, in tourism terms, I was a “blank canvass” when I started at Pembury!
I really enjoy the interaction with clients and I take particular delight in arranging itineraries for my repeat clients. One develops an intuition for someone’s likes and preferences and it is so rewarding getting feedback letters from clients once they have returned home.
I had great fun planning my own honeymoon in 2010 and have researched the numerous romantic getaways available in Southern Africa, so I especially enjoy assisting honeymoon clients who would like to plan their romantic holiday-of-a-lifetime.
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Spier Hotel is located on the rambling Spier Wine Estate in the heart of the Cape Winelands near Stellenbosch. Village-style buildings, lush green lawns and
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Maison Chablis is a tranquil Georgian-style boutique Bed & Breakfast in the heart of Franschhoek is rated “Upper four-star Luxury” by The Portfolio Collection. This
Avondrood Guest House is a picturesque guest house is just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, situated in the peaceful Winelands country also known as
Since its establishment in 1996, Pembury Tours has emerged as one of the leading tour operators in Southern & Eastern Africa. Our commitment to service, together with our knowledge and absolute passion for Africa, ensures that our clients have memorable, seamless and hassle-free holidays.
T: +27 41 581 7801
[email protected]