The Waterford Estate, among South Africa's spectacular wine-growing country Image courtesy of UK TelegraphAnyone who has been to the Cape before will know that Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and neighbours are the most beautiful wine lands in the world. The area is an easy hour-long drive from Cape Town, so day-trips through the wine lands are common. However, spending a couple of nights at the outstanding hotels in Stellenbosch or, more particularly Franschhoek, is to be recommended.
At the top end is the sumptuous R7,500-a night (£625) La Residence (+27 15 793 0150; www.laresidence.co.za), one of Elton John’s favourite properties in the world, while more affordable for non pop stars is the Bonne Esperance bed-and-breakfast guest lodge, a lovely Victorian house in the middle of Stellenbosch (+27 21 877 0225; www.bonneesperance.com) which costs between R300 (£25) to R450 (£37) a night.
Among the more interesting vineyards to visit are Waterford Estate (+27 21 880 0496; www.waterfordestate.co.za) where the winemaker/proprietor Kevin Arnold holds very interesting chocolate-and-wine tastings in the estate’s lovely courtyard. Arnold’s wines are also worth trying. Gyles Webb’s Thelema Estate (+27 21 885 1924; www.thelema.co.za) on top of the Helshoogte Pass, is delightful and Webb’s wines are among the best in the country. The restaurant at the neighbouring Tokara Estate is recommended for lunch.
In Franschhoek, a pretty Huguenot village across the mountains from Stellenbosch, the historic L’Ormarins wine farm is worth visiting not the least because the owner Johann Rupert, has created the most spectacular vintage car museum. (+27 21 874 9000; www.rupertwines.com).
Wine route maps for the whole area are available from the Wines of South Africa (+27 21 883 3860; www.wosa.co.za) offices in Stellenbosch.
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