From prominent Constantia at the foot of Table Mountain to the prestigious Cape Wine Route that meanders through picturesque Stellenbosch, Quaint Franschhoek, and the romantic Hemel en Aarde Valley; the winelands is a treasure trove of beautiful estates and impeccable restaurants and boutique hotels.
The leafy town of Stellenbosch is surrounded in every direction by geometric vineyards and purple-tinted mountain ranges. The second oldest town in South Africa is a perfect example of Cape Dutch architecture with its gables and thatched roofs, narrow streets and still-in-use water canals. Surrounded by boutique wine estates and farms, many with internationally awarded wines and some estates, offering delectable pre-packed picnics that can be enjoyed on the rolling lawns. Delaire Graff (pictured below) at the top of the sweeping Helshoogte pass offers class-defining accommodation, 5-star dining with panoramic views and one of the finest private collections of art in the country.
Another Wine Country town is the quintessentially French Franschhoek, where quaint architecture, delectable dining, décor stores and artisanal produce are all part of the charm. For fine wines in a completely different landscape, the Hemel en Aarde Valley near the coastal town of Hermanus boasts some noteworthy homesteads and estates tucked away in a secret valley that offers framed glimpses of the Indian Ocean.
A novel way to explore the winelands is to take a helicopter flip to a wine farm for the day, dine at a private table in the middle of the gardens, and share an exclusive wine-tasting with the wine master himself. By air, by road or on a specialised bicycle tour, the winelands is a feast for the senses.