Stellenbosch – more than wine
Just a short drive from Cape Town lies the quaint town of Stellenbosch, famed for its wineries. However, while wine still plays a huge role, that’s not all there is to this beautiful region of the Cape. Nestled in the lee of mountains such as Jonkershoek, Drakenstein and Simonsberg (recognising some wine labels yet?), the valley is well drained and perfect for viticulture.
As the Cape’s second oldest European settlement, the town still bears witness to the presence of its founder, Simon van der Stel, in the form of the massive oak trees that line the roads. So many, in fact, that the town was called Eikestad by the Dutch and Afrikaans… which translates to City of Oaks. Van der Stel, the Governor of the Cape Colony, arrived in 1679 and by the last decade of the century, the French Huguenots had begun planting vines in the fertile valleys. Sadly, a fire destroyed much of the town in the 1700’s, including the first church. Thankfully, the rebuild included much of the Cape Dutch architecture the town is so renowned for, with white walls, tall gables and thatched roofing today intermingling peacefully with more modern builds.
The tree-lined streets, dappled in sunlight, play host to a large number of boutique outlets where you can shop till your heart’s content, discovering all manner of beautiful local craft. Whether you fancy taking home an oil or water painting of the surrounding wine lands, a one-off pottery or metalwork creation or clothing by talented designers, you really do need to allow yourself at least a full morning or afternoon here just to browse. You may even need a full day!
Now we all know that shopping is hard work, especially when you have two teenagers and a very anxious hubby tagging along watching the credit card being swiped continuously. Thus, a few pit stops were definitely in order and thankfully Stellenbosch has some fantastic places to while away a few hours over delectable offerings.
As you wander the streets, some cobbled, you’re bound to notice the youthful vibe. That’s because Stellenbosch is home to one of South Africa’s leading universities. The institution has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800’s. While rugby is the sport that gets everyone united, whether student or not, Stellenbosch is also home to a beautiful cricket ground where I once watched my brother, Kenny
Jackson, bowl Shane Warne out – a memorable day! (And yes, my other brother, Jonathan Trott, once called this ground home too). One of the annual highlights on the sporting calendar for me, as a teenager, was the inter-varsity rugby tussle between Stellenbosch and Cape Town.
As for name-dropping, the small size of Stellenbosch belies its deep roots – Prime Ministers Hendrik Verwoerd and DF Malan were born here, as was Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, a leading light in the anti-apartheid movement. In sporting terms, the town witnessed the birth of Danie Craven, JP Pietersen and Paul Roos, amongst others.
In terms of wine, you’ll find references to viticulture all through town, and you only have to head a short distance from the bustle of the cafés and boutiques to find the wine route and more wineries than you could visit in a week – over 200! The Boland (translating to Top Country) is defined by the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Worcester, and is the oldest wine route in South Africa. It pays to call into the Info Office in Stellenbosch before heading off on a tour of the wineries, though, as some offer tastings by appointment only, but many do offer restaurant and picnic facilities.
Most growers here offer up white varietals such as Blanc de Noir, Late Harvest, Semillon and Viognier, but there are some delicious reds around, including Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. Take your time and plan your route depending on your taste and the time you have available.
There’s plenty more to keep you entertained … from mountain biking and hiking, to golf, hot air balloons, a butterfly or lion park and even a giraffe sanctuary and crocodile farm. We even discovered a toy museum!
Stellenbosch is famous for many things – and I highly suggest you add it to your bucket list if it isn’t already on there! Don’t stop for a day – stay a week!