Cape Winelands Attractions

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Cape Winelands Information

Cape Winelands Attractions

Cape Brandy Cellars Tour (long)

Cape Brandy Wine Cellars Tour (long)

Drive out on the N1 visiting Laborie (Paarl), Oude Wellington Estate (Wellington), over Bain’s Kloof Pass to KWV Brandy Cellar (Worcester), over Du Toit’s Kloof Pass, Backsberg, van Ryn (Vlottenburg), Uitkyk, Avontuur (Helderberg) asnd return on the N2.

Laborie Wine Estate:

This is situated on the lower slopes of Paarl Mountain and dates back to 1691. The estate was bought by the KWV in 1972 and is now one of the country’s leading wine estates. Its first brandy, was launched in 1997, and made from sauvignon blanc grapes and double-distilled in an 18th-century copper pot still. Enjoy one of the excellent traditional dishes served at the Laborie Restaurant.

Oude Wellington Estate:

The Oude Wellington Estate is situated at the foot of Bain’s Kloof. It produced its first brandy in 1999 and is made from Chenin Blanc (70%) and Clairet Blanche (30%) grapes and is double- or triple-distilled in a solid red copper potstil and then matured in 225-litre French oak casks. Lunch or dinner is available in the restaurant.

KWV Brandy Cellar:

This is the largest brandy distillery of its kind in the world under one roof. The cellar has 120 copper Woudberg pot stills and visitors can also watch coopers making the barrels. Take the tour which has an audiovisual presentation and visits the distillation room and maturation cellars and ends with a brandy tasting. KWV is famous for its KWV Ten and Twenty Year Old brandies.

Backsberg Wine Estate:

This estate is situated on the northeastern slopes of the Simonsberg and was originally known as Babylonstoren. The farm was renamed after the Back family who has had it since 1916. Backsberg is renowned for its excellent wines and it also produces an estate brandy which is similar to the cognacs of France, but with its own distinctive character.. The grapes are distilled in a computer-controlled pot still imported from Cognac. It is then matured for 3 years in French Limousin oak barrels.

Van Ryn Cellars:

This is the oldest working brandy cellar in the country. The cellar was established by Jan van Ryn who arrived at the Cape in 1845. On the guided tour you will taken to the distillation pot stills, maturation cellars and the cooperage. At the latter visitors see how the maturation barrels are made from French oak in the traditional manner.

Uitkyk:

This estate is on the slopes of the Simonsberg and produces two white wines (chardonnay and sauvignon blanc) and two reds (cabernet sauvignon and a shiraz). It introduced a fine 10-year-old estate brandy to the market. The manor house was built in 1788.

Avontuur Wine Estate:

This is situated 12km south of Stellenbosch on the slopes of the Helderberg mountains and has magnificent views over False Bay and the Cape Peninsula. The estate’s 5 year old copper pot-stilled brandy is made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes and is aged in French oak barrels. A limited edition of its 10 year old brandy was released in 2004. The estate also produces red, white, dessert and sparkling wines.

Bain’s Kloof Pass:

This Pass was built by Andrew G. Bain in 1849 with convict labour and completed in 4 years. View the spectacular Berg River valley from the summit of the Pass. Winding your way down you will notice that large sections of the road had to be blasted out of solid rock, one large outcrop, Dacres Pulpit, was left hanging over the road. In places the road had to be supported by 12m high dry-stone retaining walls.

Du Toit’s Kloof Pass:

This pass was completed in 1949 but due to increasing traffic a decision to construct a 4km long tunnel (Huguenot Tunnel) was made in 1980. This was completed in 1988. Motorists have the option of travelling along the old pass which has magnificent views of the Berg River Valley or take the short route through the toll tunnel.

Website: http://www.avontuurestate.co.za/

Cape Brandy Cellars Tour (short)

Cape Brandy Cellars Tour (short tour)

The famous Brandy Route in South Africa was established in 1997, 325 years after the first brandy was distilled in South Africa. South Africa is the fifth largest producer of brandy in the world. Average annual production amounts to over 57 million litres. The main route stretches from Stellenbosch through Paarl, Wellington and Worcester. One can take a shorter route.

Cape Brandy Route: (Short tour)

Visiting Laborie, Backsberg, van Ryn and Uitkyk Wine Cellars.

Drive out on the N1, visiting Laborie, (Paarl) back to Stellenbosch and on way visit Backsberg, van Ryn and lastly Uitkyk on your way back to the N1.

Van Ryn Cellars Cape Wine Estate:

This is situated at Vlottenburg and is the oldest working brandy cellar in the country. Jan van Ryn , who came to the Cape in 1845, established the cellar. A tour of the cellar includes a visit to the distillation pot stills, maturation cellars and the cooperage. See how the maturation barrels made from French oak in the traditional manner are made.

Backsberg Wine Estate:

This estate is on the slopes of the Simonsberg and produces two white wines (chardonnay and sauvignon blanc) and two reds (cabernet sauvignon and a shiraz).
It introduced a fine 10-year-old estate brandy to the market. The manor house was built in 1788.

Website: http://www.backsberg.co.za

Cape Winelands Four Passes Route

Cape Winelands Four Passes Route

Wind your way up and down four mountain passes (Sir Lowry’s Pass, Viljoen’s Pass, Franschhoek Pass and Helshoogte Pass) with magnificent mountain scenery, apple orchards and vineyards.

This route starts along the N2, past Somerset West up Sir Lowry’s Pass, past Grabouw, down Viljoen’s Pass to the Theewaterskloof Dam. Over Franschhoek Pass into the valley of Franschhoek and on leaving this beautiful valley visit Boschendal Wine Estate and then over Helshoogte into Stellenbosch and back along the N1.

Sir Lowry’s Pass:

This Pass was named after Sir Lowry Cole who was governor of the Cape Colony in 1828. On reaching the top, stop at the viewing area and take in the magnificent view of False Bay and Table Mountain in the distance.

Viljoen’s Pass:

This was named after Sir Antonie Viljoen, who pioneered apple farming in the area a century ago.

Theewaterskloof Dam:

This dam has a surface area of 48sq kilometres. It is home to Largemouth Bass with specimens of over 4kg.

Franschhoek Pass:

This road winds up and down the mountain, offering splendid views over vineyards, plantations and rugged peaks.

Franschhoek Village (French corner):

This lies in a beautiful valley surrounded by majestic mountain ranges with many wine farms and fine restaurants. There are over 40 restaurants in this valley.
During the religious turmoil in France many fled to Holland. The Dutch East India Company assisted 200 of the refugees and sent them to the Cape and they settled in this area. They eventually integrated into the larger Dutch community but left their culture and wine-making skills. The 3 graceful arches of the French Huguenot Monument is at the bottom of the Franschhoek Pass together with the Huguenot Museum with its history of the Huguenots and displays of antique Cape furniture and farm implements.

Boschendal Wine Estate:

This wine farm is over 300 years old and was once partly owned by Cecil John Rhodes. A Huguenot refugee (Jean le Long) planted the first vines on this farm in 1680. The H-frame Cape Dutch House was built in 1746. The estate is renowned for its red wines. Enjoy a meal at the restaurant or a light meal at Le Café.

Helshoogte Pass (Hell’s Heights):

This is the link between Stellenbsoch and the Drakenstein Valley (Franschhoek). The road winds through a landscape of fruit farms, Cape Dutch houses and vineyards. At the summit are Delaire and Thelema wineries. From the restaurant at Delaire is a magnificent view of the Franschhoek mountains and on the other side, in the distance, Table Mountain can be seen.

Stellenbosch:

If you have time take a walk around this historic town.

Website: http://www.boschendal.com

Stellenbosch & Cape Wine Route

Stellenbosch and Cape Wine Route

The picturesque town of Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands of South Africa was founded in 1679 and named after the Dutch governor, Simon van der Stel. This is the best-known wine-producing area and an important university town. Stellenbosch is a beautiful town with its oak-lined streets, water furrows and many historic buildings – Cape Dutch style as well as Cape Georgian and Victorian architecture.

Take a stroll down Dorp Street which has one of the longest rows of historic buildings in the country. Visit the Stellenbosch Village Museum which comprises four buildings from different periods of the town’s history. A visit to Oom Samie se Winkel should not be missed. In the historic Libertas Parva homestead is the Rembrandt van Rijn Art Museum. Nearby is the Stellenryk Wine Museum. There are many fine restaurants in the town and on the wine route where one can enjoy traditional Cape fare e.g. smoorsnoek, bredies and koeksisters.

Start your journey along the N1 to Stellenbosch and return on the N2. After walking around Stellenbosch and visiting places of interest continue on the wine route which is the oldest in South Africa: Sample the region’s famous wines, while enjoying the superb scenery. The 41 cellars are linked by the four major roads leading into the town. Some of the best known are: Oude Libertas, Lanzerac, Blaauwklippen, Rust-en-Vrede and Spier,

Oude Libertas Wine Estate:

This is the headquarters of South Africa's largest wine company, the Stellenbosch Farmer’s Winery (SFW). It markets and distributes Chateau Libertas and Zonnebloem, Nederburg and Lanzerac ranges of wine. Enjoy wine tasting at the centre as well as tours and sales. A variety of cultural events (music and dance) takes place in the amphitheatre in the summer season.

Lanzerac Wine Estate:

This is situated on the farm Schoongezicht. The Lanzerac Hotel & Spa and its magnificent wine estate won the prestigious champion red wine trophy for 8 consecutive years plus many other awards. The wines made and bottled on the estate include cabernet sauvignon, merlot and chardonnay, plus 5 wines sold under the De Forellen label. The U-shaped Cape Dutch manor house was built in 1830 and has a nonclassical front gable with well-defined mouldings, pediment and pilasters. The cellar was built in 1815.

Blaauwklippen Wine Estate:

It produces a wide range of white and red wines. During October and April take a coach ride and enjoy a Coachman’s lunch. Visit the museum with its interesting collection of antique Cape furniture, kitchen utensils and coaches. The H-shaped Cape Dutch house built in 1789 dominates the Blaauwklippen Estate near Stellenbosch.

Rust-en-Vrede Wine Estate:

It specialises exclusively in red wines. It was one of the first to mature its entire production in French Nevers oak barrels. The original cellar is used for barrel ageing the red wines, while the modern underground cellar is used for bottle maturation. The complex of historic buildings are built in a straight line and comprises – Jonkershuis (1780), Wine Cellar (1790) and the Cape Dutch house (1825).

Spier Wine Estate:

The Wine Centre offers an impressive range of wines from various wineries and one can enjoy wine tastings. Sample the estate’s own Four Spears wines in the cellar situated across the Eerste River. Also on the estate view the historic buildings, art and culture as well as visit the cheetah enclosure. The historic buildings which can be seen are the Jonkershuis (1778), old wine cellar (1776) and the slave quarters (1812) which accommodates the restaurant. Between November and March, the open-air theatre is the setting for a music festival featuring classical music concerts and performances of opera, jazz and dance.

Website: http://www.blaauwklippen.co.za/english/welcome.html

Wine Estates - Franschhoek

Wine Farms in this beautiful valley in South Africa are encircled by the Franschhoek and Groot Drakenstein mountains. The wine estates were granted to several French Huguenot families by the Dutch east India Company in 1694.

Cabriere Wine Estate: In 1989 the new vineyards of Haute Cabriere, lying along the west-facing stoney slopes of the Franschhoek pass, were planted with the world's most demanding grape: Pinot Noir. After the cellar tour, host Achim von Arnim cleanly shears the neck off a bottle of his sparkling wine with a saber, an old technique known as sabrage, before serving the wine. The restaurant is highly recommended.

Boschendal Wine Etate : The manor house in a H-shape was built in 1812 on land which was granted in 1685 by Simon van der Stel to the French Huguenot, Jean le Long. It is one of the oldest wine producers. The restaurant serves delicious, extensive buffet lunches. Treat yourself to a French-style picnic beneath the fragrant pines or enjoy a light lunch or tea served outside in the shade of the spreading oaks.

Bellingham Wine Estate: The wines available at the Bellingham Wine Estate are of world-class status.

Chamonix Wine Farm: It is situated on the eastern mountain slopes of the fertile Franschoek Valley to the north of Cape Town. It produces a range of premium wines that capture the essence and splendour of the estate. Chamonix also produces export fruit, and a superiour German-style schnapps. A range of flavoured spring waters and a variety of bar mixers are bottled from the spring deep within the mountains on the farm.

Dieu Donne Wine Estate: The view from the beautiful Dieu Donne Wine Estate is well-known among those who wish to identify the famous landmarks of Franschhoek, watch the sun setting over the Simonsberg Mountains, or just love enjoying a glass of wine during a picnic at this scenic spot. The estate cordially invites guests to visit the Dieu Donne winery, and to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and taste the fine wines.

Website: http://www.franschhoek.org.za/

Wine Estates - Paarl

Picturesque wine farms spread out to either side of the imposing Paarl Mountain with its thre rounded domes. Teh vineyards wound Paarl produce about one fifth of South AFrica's total wine crop.

The Paarl Winelands Tours includes the following wine estates:

- Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Paarl

- Fairview Wine Estate, Paarl: On entering the estate one sees the goats climbing a tower with its spiralling wooden ramp that encircles. Delicious goat’s milk cheeses are also sold here together with their famous wines.

- Backsberg Wine Estate, Paarl

- Zanddrift Wine Estate, Paarl

- Nederburg Wine Estate, Paarl: It is famous for its annual wine auction.

KWV: The KWV Wine Estate is the only venue where the entire range of KWV’s sought-after wines and brandies can be purchased

Website: http://www.paarlonline.com/

Wine Estates - Stellenbosch

The magnificent Cape Winelands town of Stellenbosch and its surroundings are home to many wine estates.

Zevenwacht Wine Estate: The manor house is a national monument and views of both oceans can be enjoyed from here. This beautiful wine estate nestles at the edge of a tranquil lake with terraced vineyards.

Neethlingshof Wine Estate

Morgenhof Wine Estate: This farm was established in 1692 with French-style gardens. It produces 300,000 bottles of wine per year.

Spier Estate: The Spier Estate consists of the manor house, a riverside pub, a farm stall, three restaurants, a wine centre, a lake and an open air amphitheatre as well as the Spier Hotel. Guest are welcome to enjoy a picnic on the rolling lawns on the lake's edge. Spier also has its own station for the steam train which travels from Cape Town. A must is a visit to the cheetah enclosure and the bird sanctuary at Spier.

Delheim Wine Estate: Its wine cellar, full of atmosphere, with its brick arches, wooden benches and mellow light invites visitors.

Blaauwklippen Wine Estate: A small museum on the estate displays antique furniture, kitchen utensils and horse-drawn carts and coaches.

Boschendal Wine Estate: The manor house in a H-shape was built in 1812 on land which was granted in 1685 by Simon van der Stel to the French Huguenot, Jean le Long. The Boschendal Wine Estate is one of the oldest wine producers in South Africa. The restaurant serves delicious, extensive buffet lunches. Treat yourself to a French-style picnic beneath the fragrant pines or enjoy a light lunch or tea served outside in the shade of the spreading oaks.

Website: http://www.stellenboschtourism.co.za/

Wine Estates - Wellington

Wellington and its surrounding regions are home to many award winning wine estates:

Wamakersvallei Winery
Welgegund Wine Estate
Andreas Wines
Welvanpas Wine Estate
Nabygelegen Wine Estate
Smit Boerdery
Doolhof Wine Estate
Mont Du Toit Winery
Linton Park Wines
Val du Charron Wines
Wellington Cellar
Bovlei Winery
Bosman Family Vineyards
Diemersfontein
Savingnac de Versailles
Dunstone Wines
Alkmaar Boutique Winery
Klein Optenhorst Wine Estate
Malan de Versailles
Oude Wellington Wine Estate
Schalk Burger & Sons - Welbedacht
Kleinfontein Wine Estate
De Compagnie Wine Estate
Upland Estate

Website: http://www.wellington.co.za/

Franschhoek Attractions

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Chocolate Tour

The tour called 'The Chocolate Experience' is a half hour programme held regulary at Huguenot Fine Chocolates in Franschhoek.

The half hour programme outlines the story of chocolate, includes a chocolate tasting and a demonstration of how chocolates are made.

Huguenot Fine Chocolates is a boutique chocolaterie situated in the main street of Franschhoek. They offer a delicious range of chocolates, made from the finest imported Belgian chocolate. Partners, Danver Windvogel and Denver Adonis are both Belgian-qualified chocolatiers.

Huguenot Fine Chocolates

Website: http://www.huguenotchocolates.com

Franschhoek Motor Museum at LOrmarins Wine Farm

The Franschhoek Motor Museum offers visitors a special opportunity to look back at more than 100 years of motoring history with its unique and exciting collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and memorabilia at the L’Ormarins Wine Estate near Franschhoek, South Africa.

However, vineyards, scenery, food and wine are never far away. The Franschhoek Motor Museum is located in the magnificent setting of L’Ormarins, the main estate in the group of farms and in the Franschhoek area. The vineyards are planted mainly on the slopes of the Groot Drakenstein Mountains
The museum’s collection exceeds 220 vehicles – ranging from a 1898 Beeston motor tricycle to a 2003 Ferrari Enzo supercar.

The Museum is closed on Mondays. Please note that no motor bikes or busses (with the exception of 15 seaters) are allowed on the farm.

Website: http://www.fmm.co.za/

Franschhoek Wine & Gourmet Route

Franschhoek Wine & Gourmet Route

Drive along the N1, leave the freeway at Exit 47 and visit the beautiful Butterfly World, continue on R44 and turn onto the R45 to Franschhoek through Simondium. Visit Antonij Rupert Wines L’Ormarins, continue to Franschhoek and finally return on the N1.

Franschhoek (French corner) lies in a beautiful valley surrounded by majestic mountain ranges with many wine estates and fine restaurants. There are over 40 restaurants in this valley.
During the religious turmoil in France many fled to Holland. The Dutch East India Company assisted 200 of the refugees and sent them to the Cape and they settled in this area. They eventually integrated into the larger Dutch community but left their culture and wine-making skills.

Butterfly World:

The Butterfly World near Stellenbosch is a wonderful place to observe exotic and colourful butterflies, even cute marmosets and Madagascan chameleons. Snakes and spiders are also on display.

Antonij Rupert Wines L’Ormarins:

This farm has over 100 racehorses, a motor museum and wine-tasting facilities. The motor museum (closed on Mondays) looks back on 100 years of motoring history with exhibits of amazing vintage cars. It has a collection of over 300 vehicles but only 80 are on show at any one time. The display is rotated every three or four months.

Huguenot French Monument:

This is at the end of the main street with its 3 arches and the Huguenot Museum next to it giving the history of the Huguenots and exhibits of antique furniture etc.

Le Quartier Francais Hotel & Gourmet Restaurant:

The restaurant was one of the world’s 50 best restaurants. It has received this accolade for the 4th time and features regularly in South Africa's top five.

Dieu Donne Restaurant:

This is situated on a hillside overlooking the spectacular valley. It was only completed in September 2007 and is too early to expect the national accolades afforded to some of its neighbours. Their wines are reasonably priced and good value for money. Below the restaurant, they have a microbrewery, brewing stout, ale and pilsener.

Reuben’s Restaurant and Bar:

The bar counter in this restaurant is made from the wing of a DC3 Dakota aircraft. It also has a pleasant courtyard and offers a sophisticated dining experience. The chef and part-owner Reuben Riffel’s cuisine has earned him the accolades of Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year (2004 and 2005) in the Johnnie Walker Eat Out Awards, as well as a placement in the list of the top ten restaurants in the country (2005, 2006 and 2007).

Haute Cabriere Cellar Restaurant:

This is situated on the slopes of the Franschhoek Pass and has a magnificent view. This restaurant is in all the Top Ten listings in South Africa. It offers contemporary\fusion cuisine and each dish is designed to be accompanied by a particular wine (served by the glass). Ask to see the demonstration of sabrage (the art of decapitating a champagne bottle with a sabre).

Website: http://www.butterflyworld.co.za/

Huguenot Memorial Museum

The Huguenot Memorial Museum in Franschhoek, South Africa, overs the history and genealogy of the Cape’s Huguenot families and their descendants. It also houses Cape Dutch furniture (18th century), Huguenot graphics, title deeds, and other early documents and letters. There is also a fine collection of old Bibles, one of which was printed in 1636.

Website: http://www.museum.co.za/

Huguenot Monument

The Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek is located at the end of the main road. Freedom of religion is symbolized by the dramatic central figure, a woman holding a Bible in her right hand and a broken chain in the left.

Website: http://www.hugenoot.org.za/huge2.htm

Wine Estates - Franschhoek

Website: http://www.franschhoek.org.za/

Paarl Attractions

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Afrikaans Language Museum

The birth of Afrikaans is chronicled in the former home of Gideon Malherbe, the meeting place for the Association of True Afrikaners and the birth place of the first Afrikaans newspaper.

Website: http://www.taalmuseum.co.za

Butterfly World

The Butterfly World near Paarl in the Cape Winelands is a great attraction for both young and older visitors. The Butterfly World is home to more than 24 species of exotic butterflies and a large variety of birds. This beautiful park is situated on Route 44 near Klapmuts, just off the N1, at the junction of the main Wine Routes of Stellenbosch and Paarl, South Africa.

There is no time limit on a visit to the Butterfly World, and visitors are welcome to take photographs or videos. Refreshments and light meals are available from the restaurant, and the craft shop stocks butterfly related goods. Inside the flight display house, displays depict the life cycle of the butterfly, and if visitors are lucky, they might see a butterfly emerging from its pupa.

Website: http://www.butterflyworld.co.za

Drakenstein Lion Park

The Drakenstein Lion Park near Paarl, South Africa, is an area of 50 acres and was established in 1998 to provide lions in distress with sanctuary, where they could live in safety, free from abuse and persecution, and be treated with the compassion and respect they deserved.

Website: http://www.lionrescue.org.za

Groot Drakenstein Prison

At the Groot Drakenstein Prison one can visit Nelson Mandela’s statue at the gate of the prison where Nelson Mandela “walked to freedom”.

Website: http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/directories/facilities/55696/55701

Laborie Estate

The Laborie Estate was granted to a Huguenot settler in 1688. In 1774 Hendrik Louw bought and built the Cape Dutch homestead on it. It was carefully restored after KWV purchased the estate in 1972.

Website: http://laboriewines.co.za/

Paarl Monument

In 1965 the competition for the design of the Afrikaans Language Monument on the southern slopes of Paarl Mountain in the Cape Winelands called for a visual, symbolic monument on the outskirts of the town. It had to symbolize the wonder of South Africa's cultural and political growth which culminated in the establishment of the Republic. The whole, or part thereof, had to be bold in outline so that it would be visible from afar.

Roughly in the centre of the Paarl Monument is a hillock or acropolis, consisting of clusters of round granite rocks. These rocks, some with rounded tops, others with fissures and clefts, are arranged close together almost as if related to one another. They resemble small replicas of Paarl Rock, and lend an air of timelessness to the environment. The mountains on the horizon seems like larger versions of this acropolis.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrikaans_Language_Monument

Paarl Museum

The Paarl Museum in the Cape Winelands was built in 1714. It houses a collection of Cape Dutch antiques and relics of the Huguenot and early Afrikaner culture. An excellent porcelain collection and the kitchen is crammed with authentic utensils and furniture such as yellowwood armoires, stinkwood chairs etc.

Website: http://www.capetowntravelguide.com/travelguides/paarlmuseum.htm

Pearl Valley Golf Course

The masterplan of the Pearl Valley Golf Course in Paarl, South Africa, was shaped by the vision of golf legend Jack Nicklaus. His unique touch is evident throughout the course at Pearl Valley Golf Estates. Nicklaus used his wealth of knowledge and experience in the game to develop a truly stunning golf course in the Cape Winelands.

Officially opened at the beginning of November, 2003 by Nicklaus and South African Gary Player, the Pearl Valley Golf Estates was named ‘best new golf course of the year’ by Golf Digest magazine in 2005 and in 2008 and is currently ranked the ‘5th best course in South Africa’ by Golf Digest.

During the 2008 South African Open, 2007 US Masters Champion Trevor Immelman was full of praise saying, “the course is in incredible condition, it really is. That’s the way I expected the course to be, to a high standard, and they have always turned out a fantastic course, for the members day-in day-out. I really feel like these fairways; they are some of the best, if not the best, that I’ve ever played on”. In 2009, Pearl Valley was crowned “best Golf Estate” and “2nd best conditioned course” in South Africa by Golf Digest magazine.

Traversed by roads in only three places, with a state-of-the-art drainage system in place which allows play to continue just minutes after a severe down pour, the course is truly in a league of its own.

A combination of the deep, lush green on the fairways and greens, together with the brilliant white river sand lining the bunkers was carefully planned to make Pearl Valley Golf Estates the most visually spectacular golf course in South Africa and arguably the world. The total length of course is 6801 metres from the Championship tees, whereas the members’ length ranges from 4685 to 5876 metres. Bunkers on Nicklaus’s signature courses are renowned for being shallow, long and relatively undaunting.

Every hole is played against the spectacular backdrop of the mountains surrounding the estate and all are challenging due to the startegically set bunkers and fast greens. The prevailing winds throughout the area have also been taken into consideration with the course design; the winter being northwesterly and the summer wind from a southeasterly direction. All par 3s and par 5s play in different directions, ensuring that the same conditions are seldom experienced during a round.

The 4th hole, par 3, is the ‘Signature’ hole of the course and perhaps the most scenic. The water cuts from the right and a greenside bunker awaits the cautious tee shot. Hole 13 is also challenging with no room for error as one needs to cross the creek three times on route to the green. This par 5 is listed as one of the best 18 holes in South Africa, a real ‘risk and reward’ classic. On the 17th hole one might consider using a rescue wood or iron off this tee, but the closer you get to the green the better. Bunkers, as with all holes are difficult. There is a bunker on the left and water on the right for the tee shot.

Website: http://www.pearlvalleygolfestates.com/

Wine Estates - Paarl

Picturesque wine farms spread out to either side of the imposing Paarl Mountain with its thre rounded domes. Teh vineyards wound Paarl produce about one fifth of South AFrica's total wine crop.

The Paarl Winelands Tours includes the following wine estates:

- Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Paarl

- Backsberg Wine Estate, Paarl

- Zanddrift Wine Estate, Paarl

- Nederburg Wine Estate, Paarl: It is famous for its annual wine auction.

KWV: The KWV Wine Estate is the only venue where the entire range of KWV’s sought-after wines and brandies can be purchased

Website: http://www.paarlonline.com/

Stellenbosch Attractions

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Bell Tour

On the unique Bell Tour in Stellenbosch, church bells and slave bells at the historic wine estates are visited.

Website: http://www.tourismstellenbosch.co.za/ctru/content/en/za/cape-winelands-overview

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is situated 10km southeast of Stellenbosch, flanked by the Jonkershoek and Stellenbosch mountain ranges. The scenery consists of wooded ravines, pine plantations and montane fynbos, which in spring and summer includes tiny pine and white ericas, blushing bride and king protea.

Website: http://www.capenature.co.za/reserves.htm?reserve=Jonkershoek+Nature+Reserve

Libertas Amphitheatre

Situated on the slopes of the Papegaaiberg, the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre overlooks the magnificent Stellenbosch mountain range in the Cape Winelands, South Africa. The Amphitheatre stages a variety of quality productions across a wide spectrum of genres. Visitors are invited to come and experience some of the best South African and international productions during the summer seasons.

Website: http://www.oudelibertas.co.za/

Oom Samie se Winkel / Uncle Samie’s Store

This charming, restored Victoria shop, the name means “Uncle Samie’s Store” has been operating as a general store since 1904. It is crammed with bric-a-brac ranging from bottled preserves, basketry, candles and curious to 19th century butter churns, plates and kitchen utensils. Visitors can browse through the Victorian Wine Shop for a special vintage or take tea under the leafy pergolas of the Koffiehuis restaurant.

Website: http://www.stellenboschtourism.co.za/

Rembrandt van Rijn Art Gallery

The Rembrandt van Rijn Art Gallery in Stellenbosch, South Africa, is a finely restored Cape Dutch house which was built in 1783. It was purchased in 1969 by the Rembrandt group, a powerful tobacco conglomerate in order to house the valuable Rembrandt van Rijn collection of modern paintings and sculptures.

Website: http://www.southafrica.com/western-cape/stellenbosch/rembrandt-van-rijn/

Sasol Art Museum

The Sasol Art Museum focuses on anthropology, cultural history, archeology and art. The most interesting are the prehistoric artifacts, reproductions of San rock art and crafted utensils and ritual objects

Website: http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/za/product-detail?oid=185058&sn=Detail&pid=1&Sasol-Art-Museum

Simonsberg Cheese Factory

Free tastings are on hand at the Stellenbosch based Simonsberg Cheese Factory.

Website: http://www.simonsbergcheese.co.za