Incredible wines of the Cape
There are many reasons to visit Cape Town in South Africa, but one of the most delicious and intriguing excuses you could find for including the Mother City on your South African vacation itinerary is the chance to taste the incredible wines of the Cape. The Western Cape region which surrounds Cape Town produces some of the world’s best wines, and no trip to Cape Town would be complete without experiencing at least some of the local varietals and vintages.
The perfect pairing
Cape Town is also renowned as a destination for foodies, and you’ll soon discover that the city’s finest restaurants all boast extensive wine lists. The sommeliers will be delighted to have the chance to share their passion, and can provide insightful advice as to which wine to pair with which dish, in order to bring out the very best in each.
Incidentally, while the incredible wines of the Cape may be first-class, they also represent excellent value for money – especially if you are an overseas visitor to the Rainbow Nation. Factor in the exceptional cuisine, stunning sea and mountain views, sunshine and hospitality and you have the perfect conditions to ensure that every sip and every glass becomes a truly memorable moment that you’ll treasure forever.
Ancient vines, innovative wines
The unique geography of the the region, with two oceans meeting and a wall of mountains dividing the land from the sea mean that the Cape has a sometimes unpredictable climate. This makes growing grapes and producing wine in the region a challenging but deeply rewarding undertaking.
The names of the signature regions and wine-growing towns of the Western Cape may not be familiar to you at first, but they will soon become old friends as you get to know and love Stellenbosch (a picturesque university town, known for its vineyards and South Africa’s own cultivar, Pinotage); Paarl, home of exceptional red wines; Swartland’s Rhone-style reds; Constantia, the epicentre of Sauvignon Blanc; and last but not least, the cool-weather reds and whites from Walker Bay.
A fascinating history
Winemaking was brought to South Africa by arrivals from Europe in the 17th Century. As a result, there is still a detectable European influence on South Africa’s wines. At the same time, centuries of local tradition and experimentation have resulted in some robust, classy and surprising wines that are the equal of anything you could uncork anywhere else.
Take a trip
From Cape Town, you can enjoy a day excursion in a chauffeur-driven vehicle that takes in several estates. You’ll get to appreciate the iconic “Cape Dutch” architecture of the wine estate buildings and enjoy vertical tastings of both classic and contemporary wines, and pairings with everything from local artisanal cheeses to handmade chocolate.
At Journey Beyond, we have a great network of contacts throughout this region, including at some of the finest restaurants and most renowned wine estates. This lets us arrange very special occasions and experiences – and means that you get to enjoy the most incredible wines of the Cape in unique settings. Think private cellar dinners, impossible to book tables in restaurants, and vineyard picnics accompanied by a perfectly chilled bottle of MCC (South Africa’s very own version of champagne).
To sample all that South Africa has to offer, reach out to Journey Beyond today.