The heart of South Africa's wine industry, Stellenbosch is a place of great beauty and culture that is steeped in South African tradition. The Stellenbosch Wine Route is arguably the country's most famous, and the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin area includes over 100 cellars - most of which are open to the public.

The Stellenbosch wineries and vineyards are only about 40 minutes from downtown Capetown, and what a sight they are. They have been making wine in the Cape for over 300 years, and the majestic Cape Dutch architecture and manicured estates are like something from a bygone era. 2009 celebrates 350 years since vines were first planted in Constantia in 1659.  This viticultural region has long dry summers and cool wet winters.  It has an ideal Mediterranean climate for full bodied red wines with a multitude of higher altitude sites suitable for varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. 

The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends are generally very good across the board.  They also have a regional focus on Chenin Blanc (Stein) and Pinotage which differentiates this region from others in the world.  The cooler sites of Elgin and Simonsberg show some of the finest varietal definition in the area. 

The region used to be dominated by the government controlled KWV wine cooperatives but now, post apartheid, it has opened up to free enterprise with many foreign owned companies playing large roles.  This is a region rich in history, challenges and opportunities.  It has earned the right as a world wine player.

Wineries in this region: