The wines of the Western Cape range from sturdy Rhone-style red wines to aromatic Sauvignon blancs in vineyards cooled by breezes off the Atlantic.
History
On 2 February 1659 the founder of Cape Town, Jan van Riebeeck, produced the first wine recorded in South Africa. In 1685, the Constantia estate was established in a valley facing False Bay by the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel. His 'Vin de Constance' soon acquired a good reputation. But it was Hendrik Cloete, who bought the homestead in 1778, who really made the name of Constantia famous, with an unfortified wine made from a blend of mostly Muscat de Frontignan, Pontiac, red and white Muscadel and a little Chenin blanc. It became a favorite tipple of European kings and emperors, from Frederick the Great to Napoleon. But the vineyards were decimated by phylloxera, the Cloete family were bankrupted, and Groot Constantia was sold to the government as an experimental station. In 1980 Duggie Jooste bought Klein Constantia, redeveloped it, and is now selling a new version of Vin de Constance made from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. The Franschhoek Valley was settled over 300 years ago by the French Huguenots. The first official wine route was opened in Stellenbosch in 1971.
Wine of Origin
In 1993, Western Cape was designated as a Geographical Unit under the Wine of Origin scheme.
There are two wineries on the banks of the 'butter' river, Goedvertrouw and Beaumont Wines.
Cape Agulhas
The southern tip of Africa, where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean, offers a unique terroir where Sauvignon blanc thrives, particularly in the ward of Elim.
Overberg
This district south of Paarl is cooled by Atlantic breezes and is producing some exciting cool-climate Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot noir. It includes the Elgin and Klein River wards.
Plettenberg Bay
Newly declared WO that is home to Bramon Estate, who is best known for a sparkling Sauvignon blanc.
Walker Bay
West of Cape Agulhas, this coastal district produces some high-quality wines from the Burgundy varieties. Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Sunday's Glen and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley were recently declared as wards.
The Cape Winelands is a region of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is the largest wine-producing region in South Africa and is divided into six main wine regions, each offering its own unique wine route. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Constantia, Hermanus, Paarl and Swartland are the most popular. The geographic area is generally referred to locally as the Boland, meaning uplands in Afrikaans. Constantia Valley wine region is situated in mountainous surroundings and is home to some of the oldest wine estates in the country. Stellenbosch wine region is well known in the Cape. In 1971 the first official wine route was founded by Frans Malan of Simonsig, Spatz Sperling of Delheim, and Niel Joubert of Spier. Franschhoek valley wine region was settled over 300 years ago by the French Huguenots. Set against the backdrop of the Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains, the village has over 30 wine farms. Apart from Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Constantia, Hermanus , Paarl and Swartland, other wine routes in the Cape Winelands include:
