Vineyards in and near Worcester

Slanghoek Winery

Slanghoek Cellar lies in the picturesque Slanghoek Valley, 880m above sealevel, surrounded by the majestic Slanghoek Mountains from which the cellar derives its name. The cellar is a mere 4km from the Goudini Spa holiday resort. ... more

South Africa's viticulture has a long history dating back about 350 years, when Jan van Riebeeck, who had led the first Dutch settlers ashore in 1652, produced the first wine in Cape Town. In February 1659 Van Riebeeck wrote in his diary: “Today, praise be to God, wine was pressed for the first time from Cape grapes.”

In the 18th and 19th centuries, South African wines, especially Constantia, were among the most famous wines in the world. The French Huguenots, who arrived in South Africa in the late seventeenth century, established a rich wine tradition in the Franschhoek valley. In 1925 Professor Izak Perold created South Africa's signature variety, called Pinotage. Today Pinotage is grown and distributed in many countries across the world.

The Stellenbosch wine route is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Western Cape. With the largest concentration of vineyards of any other location, you are bound to find a farm that fits your tastes. With restaurants serving gourmet lunches, stunning vineyards to explore and dozens of wines to taste, a day out in the Stellenbosch region is a must for anyone interested in wine. While most tourists visit the well-known farms, it is often the smaller, out of the way places that often provide the best service and many of the finest wines. Come and try for yourself.

Franschhoek's French influence can still be seen today in its architecture and attention to quality in both food and wine. It is well known as the culinary capital of South Africa with fine French restaurants and many of the farms pair cuisine with their wine tastings.

Most farms offer daily tastings and cellar tours, and purchasing wine directly from the estate is a great way to get top quality wine at affordable prices. Other wine routes in the region include Paarl, Wellington, Somerset West Wine Route, Cape Town Wine Route, and Hermanus. A little further out are the Route 62 wineries, the longest wine route in the world.