wine and travel
North west of Cape Town
The Cape Winelands are famous for their beauty but with winemakers ever pushing the boundries to plant vines in cooler climates there are many more areas developing for the intrepid wine traveller to visit. The little town of Darling lies some 45 minutes north west of Cape Town and has some quirky local colour and country cuisine to enjoy.
Pieter-Dirk Uys, a famous satarist, known as 'Aunt Evita', has a sharp wit and makes South Africans laugh at themselves. Wineries to explore are Groote Post and Ormonde with the cool west coast winds preserving crunchy flavours in the whites and rich ripe fruit in the red wines. For a memorable weekend stay, head to the Bushman's Kloof Wildeness Reserve and Wellness Retreat in the Cederberg.
The road winds through some spectacular and rugged countryside finding the Relais & Chateau about 3 and 1/2 hours from Cape Town. As a South African Natural Heritage Site it offers an oasis of luxury enfolded in untamed beauty. There are more than 130 Bushman Rock Art sites to visit with some endangered species of wildlife and flora finding a home here. The Cape Floral Kingdom is one of the richest reservoirs of plant species (9 600) supporting tens of thousands of animal species many of which can be seen here.
If you visit Cederberg Cellar there will be a hearty welcome from David Nieuwoudt, 5th generation custodian of the family farm. Tasting the wines illustrate the spectacular quality of wine produced from vineyards growing up to 1000 meters high on the mountain slopes. If you visit Cederberg Cellar there will be a hearty welcome from David Nieuwoudt, 5th generation custodian of the family farm. Tasting the wines illustrate the spectacular quality of wine produced from vineyards growing up to 1000 meters high on the mountain slopes.
wine and travel 01/09/2009
Cape Town
Cape Town is a city of culture, built on a history that reflects in the architecture, cuisine, music and dance. Together with a warm summer and temperate winter climate and a friendly community, the Western Cape and the Mother City are an ideal holiday destination throughout the year.
wine and travel 12/01/2008
Soekershof - an unusual destination
For those in search of the unusual, there is Soekershof Walkabout in Klaas Voogds West between Robertson and Ashton in the Western Cape of South Africa. In the gardens there are more than 2 400 different species and varieties of succulents, cacti included, and they are all in the unprotected open air.
wine and travel 10/12/2008
South Africa
In 1652, Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day South Africa to establisd a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the East. Thus the city of Cape Town was founded.. The British seized the Cape of Good Hope in 1806, forcing many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) to trek north to found new republics.
wine and travel 10/12/2008
South African wine history
The history of South African wine dates back to 1659, when Constantia was considered one of the greatest wines in the world. Nowadays, access to international markets has unleashed a burst of new energy and investment.
wine and travel 10/12/2008
Wine tours
Ligia de Coito represents the Wine Desk. Winemakers and wine lovers in the Cape have come to appreciate her during the nine years she worked at the Cape Wine Academy in Stellenbosch
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