THE CAPE WINELANDS
‘1 000 things to do and then, some wine!’
Whether you’re visiting the Western Cape from upcountry or overseas and wondering where to take your family, wonder no more – there are unique experiences for all visitors to the Cape Winelands, and the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) warmly welcomes you to our incredible spaces.
The area has something for everyone – whether you are a thrill-seeking mountain biker, a group of fitness junkies, festivalgoers, wine, gin, beer or brandy connoisseurs, a family of foodies, birders, campers, glampers, or a couple searching for the perfect wedding spot and boutique hotel for your wedding night.
The Cape Winelands district comprises five sub-districts that cover an area of
22 309 km². Travelling from the start of the district at Stellenbosch or Paarl, visitors can follow majestic mountain passes to Tulbagh, Ceres or Op-die-Berg; or via the Huguenot Tunnel to Worcester and into the Hex River Valley, along the N1 to Touws River. For a leisurely return drive, wind through the back roads to Montagu, taking the long way back to Stellenbosch. The biggest advantage (especially as everyone is wanting value for money) is that all these destinations are between a 30-minute and two-hour drive from Cape Town.
As one of five district municipalities in the Western Cape, CWDM’s management and council are seeking opportunities for social and economic development.
The Executive Mayor, Alderman Helena von Schlicht, states: ‘Economic development is dependent on the social health of our citizens, and we need to address both issues at the same time. We want to empower people and enable them to enter the economy, create jobs, support their families and contribute to the overall wealth of the community. When people have a strong and healthy sense of social belonging, it’s easier for them to participate in the economy.’
One proven way to develop economic opportunities is through tourism. And in an effort to recognise the valuable input of the tourism sector, the CWDM confers a Mayoral Tourism Award on establishments that go the extra mile and encourage guests to return to the Winelands.
The 2018/19 winners included wine farms such as La Motte, Val du Charron and Imbuko Wines, which hosts the Wellington Park Run. In the Service Excellence
category, @Four Cousins in Robertson, Wolseley’s Big Sky Cottages and Cape Dutch Quarters in Tulbagh walked away with accolades. The Route 62 Brewing Company and Waffle House in Montagu was recognised for its entrepreneurial spirit, while Stellenbosch university Museum was awarded for its role in sustainable development. The South African Cheese Festival and the Montagu Makiti were both winners in the Festivals category.
The special Mayoral Discretionary Award went to Protea Farm Tractor Rides. This business delivers a unique experience – visitors, including those who are wheelchair bound, are taken by tractor to the top of the Langeberg mountains, from where they can see the Indian Ocean on a clear day. Afterwards, they settle under the trees and enjoy award-winning potjiekos prepared by 10 local women who are part of the potjiekos team that came first in Kwêla’s Laat die Potte Prut competition in 2017.
The CWDM delivers on its mandates in a manner that ensures our citizens and visitors can travel comfortably, eat safely and enjoy the biodiversity of the area.
‘We are a highly functional municipality, which is evidenced by the number of performance-excellence awards received, for the fifth clean audit, the accountability of staff and ultimately the quality of services delivered,’ said the mayor at a recent event.
Visit us in the Cape Winelands. Take a day trip; even better, stay for a few days. After all, we have 1 000 things to do and then, some wine!