The Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands - north-east of Cape Town - are framed by the mountain ranges of the Great Escarpment. Wines which range among the best in the world are grown in the sunny valleys around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. This area has fertile soils, a sunny and mild climate and little wind: ideal conditions for cultivating wine. As early as end of the 17th century, Dutch, French and German vintners settled here and planted their European vines, thus eventually bringing prosperity about for the entire region.
The oldest town in the Winelands is Stellenbosch - with many stunning historic buildings from the times of the Cape Colony. Stellenbosch has one of the most reputable universities in the country.
At the foot of prominent granite boulders lies Paarl - the "Pearl" - biggest town of the Winelands, surrounded by world famous wine estates. One of the attractions of Paarl is the impressive "Afrikaanse Taalmonument". It is, like the Taal Museum in town, dedicated to the development of Afrikaans as a language of its own.
The Huguenot monument in Franschhoek honours the French immigrants, who founded the village in 1688. They were excellent wine farmers and today Franschhoek is proud of the numerous renowned wine estates. And of its French flair. The Main Road is seamed with boutiques, art galleries, fine restaurants with French cuisine and cafés.
Everywhere in the Winelands one finds the pretty white Cape Dutch buildings with their characteristic gables. In the beginnings they used to be quite plaine, but with growing prosperity their shapes became more ornate. The pointed gables gave way to curved shapes.
Many famous Wine estates are open for wine tastings.