STELLENBOSCH (South Africa)
20 November - 21 November 2017
24 November - 25 November 2017
20 November - 21 November 2017
24 November - 25 November 2017
The new world in terms of wine is any wine growing region that stands outside of the old guard European elites and Middle Eastern countries. In this sense we're referring to countries such as Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, USA, and of course, South Africa.
Groot Constantia, opening its doors in 1685, is the oldest vineyard in South Africa, and is an example of the first trade in wine going the other way, from the New World to the Old World.
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
South African wines are well known globally, especially for their production of such varietals as Cabernet, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay. Stellenbosch itself was probably the first locality in the country that also sparked to the marketing potential of the wineries in their region and cottoned on to marketing their wine route some 50 years ago, and although it accounts for only a fraction of the total wine producing area in the country, it is by far the most well known both internally and externally in South Africa. Additionally, considering its only a 50km drive from Cape Town, the accessibility is fantastic and makes for easy day trips from the big smoke.
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Groot Constantia - Constantia - Cape Town - South Africa
Tokara Wine Estate - Stellenbosch - South Africa
Arriving in Stellenbsoch we found a wonderfully quaint, idyllic small town, that fully appreciates the niche it has. Also, as a university town, it also understanding how to make use of its student population, so its a wonderfully symbiotic style of relationship where the tourists numbers supports the industry which gainfully employs students at student rates.
Tokara Wine Estate - Stellenbosch - South Africa
Stellenbosch - South Africa
The famous Duck Parade at the Vergenoegd Low Wine Estate - Stellenbosch - South Africa
A flock of 1200 runner ducks take part in this activity - it's actually part of a pest control scheme where the ducks are utilise in the vineyards...they sure are excited to get there!
The famous Duck Parade at the Vergenoegd Low Wine Estate - Stellenbosch - South Africa
Spier Wine Estate - Stellenbosch - South Africa
Spier Wine Estate - Stellenbosch - South Africa
Spier Wine Estate - Stellenbosch - South Africa
It was very easy to fall in love with Stellenbosch. Beautiful oak tree lined avenues, Cape Dutch architecture, filled with restaurants and bars, whilst also being surrounded by some fantastic wineries, there's a lot to like about this part of the world.
Our intention was only to spend a day here but found it so intoxicating that we came back for another hit a few days later. Thankfully on both occasions we drove to Stellenbosch, and I say thankfully, for the fact that Inga's initial idea was to ride the 50kms from Cape Town.
...that would have been a bite that not anyone could have properly chewed.
