The Cape Winelands of South Africa have been creating fine wine since the Dutch East India Company established the Cape Colony in 1652. There are around 800 wineries less than an hour from Cape Town city centre, some of them rivalling the best on the planet. Set on palatial colonial estate or on boutique family farms they offer the brilliant colours of Africa framed by the jaggered hills and mountains that stimulate the imagination. The most comfortable way to explore these wine regions is to take an Emirates Air flight from Europe; spend your evening looking over the lights of majestic Cape Town and your days exploring the accessible and distinct wine regions.

Nitida, Durbanville Valley

The closest wine valley for an afternoon drive (just 30 minutes from the centre of the city) is the lovely Durbanville Wine Valley situated in the Tygerberg Hills. This dark red clay valley has rich soils that retain water giving the wines their noted intense, fruity flavours. The valley offers 12 boutique wineries and farms with intimate restaurants from farm house kitchens such the charming Nitida.

Nitida, a sheep farm-cum-boutique winery, is run by Berhhard Veller and his family. Until recently Veller made all the wines himself by hand on the side, but little by little his wines have become chic. The farm offers an intimate look at boutique wine producing in Africa and two wonderful al fresco restaurants using local produce.  Try the fruity chardonnays.

Klein Constantia, Constantia

The Constantia Valley is home to some of the oldest wine estates in South Africa such as the legendary Klein Constantia.  This rambling vineyard is set in a jewel-like valley that specialize in cool climate wines and produces some of South Africa’s most awarded wines, including one of the world’s best natural sweet dessert wines on the planet and South Africa’s most distinct drop,  the Vin de Constance. They present their wines in replica hand-produced bottles.

Meerlust Eersterivier, Stellenbosch

A little further away is Stellenbosch which is blessed with a cooling summer sea breeze and unusual evening mists that constantly rolls across the ambient valley creating a cool weather grape. These slow ripening grapes achieve a full-mouthed concentrated characteristic.

The Myburgh family has been taking advantage of this unique climatic situation for eight generations at their Meerlust Eerstervirier winery. It is housed around their elegant Cape Dutch manor. Try the Bordeaux-style Rubicon blends.

Rust en Vrede, Stellenbosch

Nearby also in Stellenbosch is another winery steeped in history going back to 1694. Rust en Vrede was bought by Springbok rugby legend Jannie Engelbrecht in 1977 and since then it has been producing outstanding red Bordeaux-style wines. Try the Shiraz and other unique single grape wines.

Vergelegen, Somerset West

Slightly further away is Somerset West with more than 20 estates known for reds and port. Our pick is the Vergelegen for history, quality and beauty. This estate winds around a grand old Cape estate established by Governor Willem Adriaen van der Stel in the late 17th century.

Today it also showcases the viticulture skills of wine maker André van Rensburg who took the helm 10 years ago. Since then it has become the most decorated winery on the Cape- these reds and whites rival the best of Bordeaux.