Cape Town   -   The wineregion
 

The wineregion of the Cape is located in the North and East of Cape Town. Generally the best known towns in this area are Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. These town are only 45 minutes away from Cape Town. You can get a good guidebook about the winearea at the tourist office at the V&A Waterfront. This small book gives you a short overview about the different wine estates mit the opening hours and the times for the visiting of the wine cellars.

You ca say generally that a visit of this fine area is a must for every visitor of Cape Town. Generally a visit into the wineregion is a must when you visit Cape Town. But please don't take such a organized tour; better to go individually. On a tour with a tour operator you only go to one or two of the very large wineries and they usually have a quite touristic appearance. Take a rental car. And the best way to visit this area is by planning an overnight stay. In Stellenbosch for example are at least two good Backpacker hostels. Here you can have a clean and save place to sleep for about 10 Euro.

A wine tasting usually costs you between 12 and 15 Rand (1,50 - 2 Euro. You get normally 5 different wines to taste. If the winery has more than 5 wines on offer, you can choose.

Wine is a matter of taste, that's the reason for the wine tasting. I would like to recommend to wineries two you which I tested personally.

Allesverloren, Region Swartland:
This vineyard is not located in the above described wine region, but in Swartland. This region is to the North of Stellenbosch and you have to drive about 1 hour with a car from Cape Town. Allesverloren has 4 wines on offer. The first one is the Touriga Nacional, a dry wine close to the taste of the Cabernet Sauvignon, but not that heavy. Then there is the Shiraz and the usual Cabernet Sauvignon. But my tip is the Tinta Barocca. This grape comes original from Portugal and is used there primerily as the basis for port wine. Allesverloren does a very dry wine out of it, but the typical fruity and sweet nuances are still there. It is a fantastic wine and you should drink him there, because it is quite difficult to get im back in Europe.
The prices are between 60 to 90 Rand, that's between 8 and 11 Euro.

The wine tasting here is free of charge and there is not a special room for the tasting. You just go into the small shop there and get your wine. Better to call them in advance to make sure that the shop is open.

Muratie, Region Stellenbosch:
From the main street between Swartland and Stellenbosch (~ 45 minutes) you can drive to the left towards the two wine estates Delheim and Muratie.
First you reach Muratie, which is located quite unimpressive along the street. Further straight you reach the big and more famous wine estate of Delheim. You can get Delheim wine in most of the big super markets in South Africa and even on-board some airlines (e.g. Air Namibia). Personally I felt a little bit annoyed by the large coaches bringing a lot tourist and the wine tastes a little bit ordinary.

Muratie is different: Although you can taste the wine just standing, you get a glass of wine for just 2 Rand (0,25 Euro). And the glasses are more filled then elsewhere. I can recommend the Cabernet Sauvignon. At the time I did the wine tasting, you could get the 2000 and the 2001 vintage and there is really a different taste. The atmosphere is quite relaxing and thre are old cobwebs at the windows. It’s a real experience.