While the famous Cape winelands stretch all the way to Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Elgin, Cape Town itself boasts with three excellent wine routes: Constantia, Durbanville and Helderberg.
Constantia
The Constantia valley wine route is home to ten wine farms, is 20 minutes from the city centre and is considered the birthplace of the wine-making tradition in South Africa 300 years ago. Although it is home to the oldest wine farms in the country, the region boasts with young winemakers consistently winning international awards. An interesting fact is that the wines from the region have been enjoyed by Napoleon Bonaparte and many other royals in the 18th century.
Durbanville
The Durbanville wine route has been making wine since the 17th century and currently has 12 prestigious wine farms that make up the valley, specialising in intense, fruit-driven wines. The farms are known for the beautiful views over the surrounding green rolling hills and the Atlantic Ocean. Each winery has its own warm character with interesting food and wine pairings like olives, chocolate, toffee, and even a Craft beer and biltong tasting at Signal Gun.
Helderberg
The Helderberg wine route is nestled between Somerset West and Strand and surrounded by the Helderberg mountains, which make for an impressive backdrop for the more than 20 wineries along the route. The area is cooled down by soft sea breezes from the False Bay coast, and even though this is traditionally red wine country, some cellars have also been producing excellent chardonnays and sparkling wines. Vergelegen wine farm is home to an old English Oak tree that is over 300 years old and believed to be the oldest living oak tree in Africa.
