Stellenbosch wine region history books

It is located just east of cape town within the western cape and along with paarl and. Let us take you off the beaten track and into some of the hidden gems that make this region a bucket list item for any visitor to cape town. In the end, we come to wine to be transported, just as we do to books. Nov 07, 2017 stellenbosch is perhaps the most famous wineproducing region in south africa. The dutch east india company used cape town as a resupply stop on route to india during the 1600s. Stellenbosch triennale, a bold experiment the new york times. Stellenbosch is 53 km 33 mi east of cape town via national route n1. There is an airport near kruger, so we caught a flight out to cape town, then made the drive up to stellenbosch, a small university and wine town about fortyfive minutes outside of the city stellenbosch itself is charming, with oaklined streets, tons of art galleries, boutiques, and cafes on every corner. Stellenbosch wine tasting at top stellenbosch wineries. We loved the town so much that we actually wished we had booked a night or two there to see more of it. Wine routes fan out like spokes of a wheel, making excellent day trips. Mar 25, 2020 stellenbosch, south africa for tourists, this prim colonial town is the gateway to a spectacular mountain region dotted with wine estates. A short ways inland from cape town lies the winegrowing region of stellenbosch, south africa. Stellenbosch vineyards is a leading wine producer and exporter set in the picturesque stellenbosch wine region.

In south africas fabled wine country, white and black battle. First planted in 1679, stellenbosch is located 45 kilometres 28 mi east of cape town. Where theres wine, theres food, and for starters, well be showcasing a simply sumptuous selection as the pick n pay fresh food market. History, personalities and even chance have shaped the story of south africas wines. Stellenbosch wine routes in 1971, stellenbosch became the first wine region in south africa to establish a wine route as an organised network of wineries for visitors. Production is concentrated around cape town, with major vineyard and production centres at constantia, paarl, stellenbosch and worcester. The first dutch settlers, marveling at the benign climate of the region and rich fertile soils, soon planted agricultural crops, including, of course, the first vines. In 1983, frans sons formed a unique partnership to manage the fastgrowing simonsig wine estate. The town, in western capes coastal region, is steeped in history and is home to the countrys bestknown wine estates. Stellenbosch, south africa one cold morning, stefan smit, a white farmer in south africas stunning wine region, woke up to find his vineyard under siege. Welcome to the stellenbosch wine routes one of the biggest tourist attractions in the western cape.

Simonsig wine estate is synonymous with the history of the south african wine industry, the stellenbosch wine region, and the malan family. This unique area with its incredible scenery of valleys, picturesque mountains and vineyards scattered makes for some incredible outings. We did the following tours with camino tours on days 26 louis was our guide for all but day 6, when it was janine. Designated wards within the wine region are jonkershoek valley, simonsbergstellenbosch, bottelary, devon valley and papega. So i invite you to enjoy a journey along my own shelf, bookend to bookend along a path alternatively lit and darkened by tales rich with wit, pathos, love, loss, life, and of course, wine. The wine route comprises 44 cellars the route offers the visitor an ideal opportunity of sampling these wines whilst exploring this famous wineproducing region. Stellenbosch wine tasting experiences all signs lead to the tasting rooms in stellenbosch in front of the helderberg mountains. Stellenbosch is synonymous with south african winemaking. Some of the oaks have been proclaimed national monuments. Visit stellenbosch official stellenbosch tourist and. Wine merges beautifully with history at jordan wine estates. Stellenbosch wine a guide to the wines of stellenbosch.

The magic of this region is the choice each and every one of those 800 000 people visiting stellenbosch annually have available to them, she says. A brief history of the south african wine industry is followed by cellar techniques, the soils, climates, maps and main grape varieties as well as the development of the vineyards, the wines, the people and their winemaking philosophies. South african red wines cabernet sauvignon 30,000 acres 2011 there is a savory complexity to south african cab, which makes it a delightful alternative to the more fruitforward cab values from paso robles or sonoma, california. Dec 04, 2018 history, personalities and even chance have shaped the story of south africas wines. Grapes will sometimes grow beyond this range, thus minor amounts of wine are made in some rather unexpected places. Magnificent, historic gardens to which residents have full access to stroll around, appreciate the beauty. Wine tasting, art, and food guide to stellenbosch, south. Greater simonsberg simonsig wine estate simonsig wine estate is synonymous with the history of the south african wine industry, the stellenbosch wine region, and the malan family. South african wine has a history dating back to 1659, with the first bottle produced in cape town by its founder jan van riebeeck. Stellenbosch is south africas bestknown wine region, producing a wide variety of wines from leading estates, even though it accounts for less than 20 per cent of the countrys total production. The crown jewel of south africas wine industry, stellenbosch, is a charming, dutchinfluenced countryside region and college town home of the prestigious stellenbosch university and much of south africas viticultural research that happens to boast some of the most exciting wineries in the country among its mesmerizing hills and mountains. The intensively farmed stellenbosch district has been divided up into several smaller viticultural pockets including banghoek, bottelary, devon valley, jonkershoek valley, papegaaiberg, polkadraai hills and simonsberg stellenbosch. Intense blackberry, blackcurrant, undertones of mint, spice and cigar box on the nose.

Stellenbosch is located within the coastal region in south africas western cape province. This book is a glorious tribute to south african wines and the personalities behind the wines. Stellenbosch wine tasting tours have for years been one of the top tours that one just has to experience firsthand while in the area of stellenbosch. Stellenbosch, the second oldest wine producing region in south africa, is a key player in the local and global wine markets and has been producing wines since 1679. Stellenbosch is considered the center of the cape winelands, and many of the older and more established wineries are nearby. Shop the best selection of wine and spirits from wine. This bitesize approach helps visitors get the most out of their winelands experiences on a route that caters to history buffs, golfers, families, romantic couples, nature.

South africas most planted wine grapes are chenin blanc and cabernet sauvignon. Stellenbosch wine tasting tours, what to expect and where. This was a great base from which we were able to explore the wider stellenbosch wine region. Cora coetzee, eikestad a collection of superb pen and wash drawings, struik publishers, 1976. We represent more than 200 wine and grape producers within the boundaries of the stellenbosch wine of origin classification. An exploration through wine and literature grapecollective. It is perhaps the most prestigious of the countrys wine regions. Its peaceful, lowkey, and as a study abroad student, one of the cities you have to choose from when studying in south africa.

Bottelary hills beyerskloof beyerskloof lies in the heart of one of the worlds classic red wine areas, stellenbosch, in the cape winelands of south africa. The scenic stellenbosch wine route is the oldest in the country and one of the most popular destinations for local and international visitors alike. The intensively farmed stellenbosch district has been divided up into several smaller viticultural pockets including banghoek, bottelary, devon valley, jonkershoek valley, papegaaiberg, polkadraai hills and simonsbergstellenbosch. Amazing things to do in stellenbosch, south africa. Passionate about wine, committed to our partnerships and proud of our rich heritage, the story of stellenbosch vineyards dates back to 2004 when the merger of stellenbosch vineyards and vinfruco took place on the historic welmoed farm, one of the. Great location in jonkershoek valley, very close to jonkershoek nature reserve for hiking, cycling, running.

If youre planning a trip to cape town and you like wine, youll definitely want to spend a day wine tasting around the region of stellenbosch. The cellars of the wine route are situated along the four main roads leading to stellenbosch. Cabernet sauvignon is the region s most widely planted grape variety, and is often combined with merlot to create bordeaux blend wines. Frans malan was an early pioneer, like the robert mondavi of stellenbosch, of creating the first wine route in 1971. Furthermore, the stellenbosch wine region is one of the oldest in the southern hemisphere and very highly regarded.

Mar 09, 2019 stellenbosch, south africa one cold morning, stefan smit, a white farmer in south africas stunning wine region, woke up to find his vineyard under siege. The area is named for the town that was settled in the mid 1670s with the establishment of the dutch east india company. Brian johnson barker and daryl balfour stellenbosch. Wine grapes mostly grow between the 30th and the 50th degree of latitude, in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine has even been granted by the gods. The area is named for the town that was settled in the mid 1670s with the. Stellenbosch wine tasting tours, what to expect and where to. The district of stellenbosch is one of the oldest and most important wine producing regions in south africa. Stellenbosch is perhaps the most famous wineproducing region in. Not to mention the magnificent photographic opportunities. This wine was named in honour of one of the estates former owners, reg merriman nicholson, who lived and worked as winemaker at rustenberg for 30 years.

The cuvee restaurant at simonsig wine estate had a fabulous, delicious lunch on offer. Our wine appreciation group enjoyed a professional, informative and relaxed wine tasting at this wonderful wine estate. Stellenbosch is a gorgeous little town just 50 km east of cape town. Stellenbosch, south africa for tourists, this prim colonial town is the gateway to a spectacular mountain region dotted with wine estates. Access to international markets led to new investment in the south african wine market.

The stellenbosch wine festival presented by pick n pay is a unique event where the order of the day is relaxing in the sun while sampling some of the best wines south africa has to offer. There are a wide variety of cultural activities in which the universitys departments of music, drama and fine arts play an important role. Nestled in between two mountain ranges, with easy access to fresh water, the region was the perfect place for people to settle, including the dutch, who claimed the space shortly after arriving and brought their malay and african slaves with them. Settlers planted wine grapes to quench thirsty sailors. Today the town with its compelling mix of world class wine and food offerings balanced with history, culture and spectacular natural beauty provides a coordinated network of. May 07, 2020 stellenbosch wine tasting experiences all signs lead to the tasting rooms in stellenbosch in front of the helderberg mountains. Sip on stunning wines surrounded by the dramatic mountainous landscapes. Stellenbosch is in a hilly region of the cape winelands, and is sheltered in a valley at an average elevation of 6 m 446 ft, flanked on the west by papegaaiberg afrikaans.

Study abroad in stellenbosch, south africa go overseas. In this stellenbosch wine estate we were able to have a guided tour of the cellars with a very knowledgeable guide who explained to. Stellenbosch is easily south africas bestknown wine region. Frans was named south african winemaker of the year in 1977. On the palate are plenty of blackcurrant and cassis, fresh mint, subtle oak and soft tannins.

Each cellar entrance is clearly signposted watch for the official wine route logo. Next up on our great south african adventure, wine country. Well introduce you to unforgettable cellar door experiences, awardwinning wine estates, celebrated restaurants and stellenboschs unique and enviable lifestyle. Dec 18, 2018 but, beyond its cozy charm is a town with a history that hits at the heart of south africa. The following is a list of the top wine producing countries and their volume of wine production for the year 2014 in tonnes, according to the food and agriculture organization fao, which is an agency of the united nations. Eat your way through stellenbosch and discover the best spots to enjoy the local cuisine. Spier was also the first winery to be accredited by the wine industry ethical trade association. This list of wineproducing regions catalogues significant growing regions where vineyards are planted. All the main wine regions are based in the western cape, and most are within an hour or twos drive from cape town, making this a great place for wine tourism. South africas secondoldest town was founded in 1679 by dutch settlers. Let us take you off the beaten track and into some of the hidden gems that make this region a bucket list item for any visitor to cape. Spier is located in the heart of south africas primary winegrowing region, just 20 minutes from cape town international airport. Stellenbosch wine route, the oldest in the country and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the. Stellenbosch wine tasting tours have for years been one of the top tours that one just has to experience firsthand while in the area of stellenbosch this unique area with its incredible scenery of valleys, picturesque mountains and vineyards scattered makes for some incredible outings.

The wine tour was superb, louis tailored the estates based on our preference and, due to the rapport he has with these estates, was able to ensure that the depth of conversation and choice of wines was perfectly c. Superb terroir and generations of finely honed wine making skills are responsible for a huge range of well established, finely detailed wines from stellenbosch. Many of the cabernet sauvignon, chenin blanc, chardonnay and pinotage wines made here are of world class quality, and rank among south africas. A profile of south africas stellenbosch wine region with focus on history, climate, varietals, wines, producers, and more. We were one of the first organisations in south africa to be accredited by fair trade in tourism south africa. The heart of the wine industry, and the largest wine region, is stellenbosch, with the pretty university town at the centre. In south africas fabled wine country, white and black. Full day tour stellenbosch is globally recognised as a superb wine growing region, celebrated throughout history for its wine, food, people and culture. The wine route in stellenbosch has been divided into five subroutes by virtue of their userfriendliness as opposed to official wards, wine styles, or geographical location. The stellenbosch district is the second oldest wine region in south africa, after constantia, and is responsible for around 14% of the countrys annual wine production.