10 of South Africa’s Most Beautiful Wine Districts
In July, we showed you 10 of Europe’s most beautiful wine regions; now it’s time to turn the spotlight on the incredible wine districts of South Africa. Blessed with stunning landscapes and fertile soils ideal for growing a wide variety of grapes, South Africa is the perfect location for a wine vacation. From the well-known districts of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek to more up-and-coming ones like Elgin and Tulbagh, here are 10 of the country’s most beautiful wine districts.
Have you been to any of these? Let us know in the comments!
10 of South Africa's Most Beautiful Wine Districts
By Hayo Magazine
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Stellenbosch
By Hayo Magazine
South Africa's leading wine district, Stellenbosch, with its charming buildings and stunning views, is home to several subregions, which visitors can explore by following the well-marked wine route.
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Franschhoek
By Hayo Magazine
Surrounded by the Drakenstein mountains, Franschhoek is hotter than Stellenbosch and is known as the gourmet capital of the wine districts thanks to its profusion of trendy restaurants.
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Elgin
By Hayo Magazine
Predominantly a fruit-growing region, the leading producer in this cooler climate district is Paul Cluver (but the dozen other grape growers in the area have plans to bottle their own wines soon).
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Swartland
By Hayo Magazine
This wheat-growing region north of Cape Town produces some of the country's most renowned Syrahs, including Malmesbury and Darling.
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Worcester
By Hayo Magazine
The Worcester winelands is the largest wine producing area in South Africa, and is comprised of 24 cooperatives, 3 private wineries, and 2 brandy cellars.
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Tulbagh
By Hayo Magazine
A scenic 90-minute drive from Cape Town, this up and coming district has won a number of international awards in recent years, and has plans to plant several new vineyards.
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Constantia
By Hayo Magazine
Located in the southern suburbs of Cape Town, this historical region is the birthplace of South Africa's wine culture, where the first vineyards were established in the 1600s.
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Paarl
By Hayo Magazine
This well-known, hotter district was traditionally a white wine producer, but is now focusing more on reds, which are well-suited to its Mediterranean climate.
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Robertson
By Hayo Magazine
The fertile Robertson Valley produces a variety of wines, from Sauvignon Blancs and Syrahs to Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays.
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Walker Bay
By Hayo Magazine
A district on the rise, Walker Bay's cooler climate is ideal for Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Its top estates are in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
