The Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands, spread across beautiful valleys just east of Cape Town, are South Africa's historic wine country and among the most scenic wine regions on earth. Around the university town of Stellenbosch and the French-founded Franschhoek, gracious whitewashed Cape Dutch estates sit among vine-striped slopes beneath dramatic mountains, offering world-class wines, superb food and centuries of history in one of the country's most rewarding regions.

What to look for

• Stellenbosch - the historic wine town of oak-lined streets and estates.
• Franschhoek - the French-founded valley and its gourmet food and wine.
• The Cape Dutch estates - the gracious whitewashed wine farms.
• The wine tram - the hop-on tram linking Franschhoek's estates.

When to go

October to April for the warmest weather and the vines in leaf; February to April brings the grape harvest. Spring and autumn are lovely and quieter. Plan a driver or the wine tram, as tastings and driving do not mix.

What to expect

Tastings mean arranging a designated driver or using the Franschhoek wine tram, as drink-driving is dangerous and illegal. It is a region of scattered estates, so a car helps, and it rewards a slow day or more. It is beautiful and good value by international standards, but the estates vary, so a little planning helps.

Nearby

Cape Town and Table Mountain are under an hour west; the Garden Route stretches east.