Although wine making had begun earlier in the Cape region, it was only the late 17th Century that the drink started to be made on a commercial basis by Simon Van der Stel in Stellenbosch, and wine has now become one of the country’s most important exports.
The three towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are the centre of the Western Cape’s wine industry and it is possible to visit the vineyards for wine tasting and lunch during a day trip from Cape Town, or to stay in the area and visit a variety of vineyards over the course of a few days.
Many of the estates have beautiful historic houses that are set in the most dramatic surroundings with the mountains and vines providing some exquisite scenery.