Stellenbosch a paradise for tourists
A TRIP to the quaint Cape winelands town of Stellenbosch marks not only a step back in history, but a sensory adventure that exposes the palate to an abundant choice of wines acclaimed to be among the finest in the world.
Established in 1679, this jewel of South Africa’s wine destinations is ranked in “the Top 10 best wine destinations in the world” by international travel website Trip Advisor, alongside the most popular winemaking regions such as Bordeaux and Champagne in France, Napa Valley in the United States, Tuscany in Italy and Australia’s Barossa Valley.
With more than 150 wineries scattered along its routes, Stellenbosch is endowed with stunning countryside scenery full of fauna and vineyards.
It boasts many top accolades, including the wine capital of South Africa, the country’s first and oldest wine route and the home of the “Kings of Cabernet Sauvignon”, an ode to a band of Stellenbosch winemakers who make award-winning cabernets.
Among Stellenbosch’s cabernet sauvignons mak ing a mark in the world of wine are Le Riche and Delaire Graff.
In fact, Delaire winemaker Morné Vrey’s Laurence Graff Reserve is top of the pops of the class of local cabernets – costing R3 000 a bottle.
Asked why his cabernets tended to be expensive last year, an unfazed Vrey said: “I work for Laurence Graff, a very rich man. He asked me to craft a wine to be enjoyed by millionaires.”
A billionaire, Graff has not spared a cent to create an opulent and world-class estate in Delaire Graff. At R3 000 a bottle, is Laurence Graff Reserve worth the dime? Yep, the price is treated as small change by mostly wellheeled guests. Stellenbosch is a holiday paradise for tourists, who fill the town’s 80 restaurants every summer, thanks to the favourable exchange rate which makes South Africa one of the cheapest holiday destinations.
Stellenbosch wine personality Annareth Bolton says European tourists – mostly German – spend six months of summer in the town, and migrate back home around the end of April in time for the warm season in Europe.
The town’s allure unsurprisingly lies in the combination of neoDutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture, features which give Stellenbosch the aura of a European city.
“This is why we want Gauteng wine lovers to visit the town during winter time when the rates are cheap, hotels and restaurants are empty,” said Bolton.
The Stellenbosch Hotel sports a new look after 16 months of extensive renovations, which coincided with a change in the in-house menu.
Opposite the Stellenbosch Hotel is another landmark building housing the 58-room Oude Werf Hotel.
Notably, a spin on the town’s wine-and-food spots would be incomplete without a whistle-stop at the renowned bubbly house JC Le Roux, where cellar master Elunda Basson passionately creates sparkling wines for all tastes for everyday enjoyment.