This is the epicenter of south africas wine country, settled as early as the. Stellenbosch is a small town about 50km outside of cape town, famous for the magnificent wines produced in the region, and the obvious choice for a beer and wine tasting experience. South africas secondoldest town was founded in 1679 by dutch settlers. Best books on the bordeaux wine region of france intowine. Knorhoek wine estate stellenbosch welcome fine wines. Stellenbosch is located within the coastal region in south africas western cape province. It is the second largest wine growing region in the world and produces over 700 million bottles annually. Margaret river wine region is made up predominantly of boutique size wine producers.
From bacchus to bordeaux and beyond by oz clarke isbn. Just a few kilometers from false bay, these mountain slopes contribute. The stellenbosch district is the second oldest wine region in south africa, after. The town, in western capes coastal region, is steeped in history and is home. This happened due to the trade between egypt and canaan during the early bronze age. After its discovery, stellenbosch was quickly identified as an area in which to settle, with great potential for agriculture. Apr 20, 2016 the second wine, which used to be called cask, after a danielera wine, and was made in a different style than rubicon, will now simply be called cabernet sauvignon and will be made in a similar. The area is named for the town that was settled in the mid 1670s with the establishment of the dutch east india company. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Wine lovers guide to south africa fodors travel guide. Niebaums employee hamden mcintyre was not an architect but he designed gravity flow wineries for inglenook and far niente along with other wineries of the decade. The wine of origins wo program mandates how wine regions of south africa are defined and can appear on wine labels. Founded in 1682, blaauwklippen is one of the oldest wine farms in stellenbosch.
Access to international markets led to new investment in the south african wine market. Wine was also an important element that was kept with other articles in tombs for helping in the afterlife. The wine making industry flourished in the nile valley after the introduction of grape cultivation around 3000 bc. The town, in western capes coastal region, is steeped in history and is home to the countrys bestknown wine estates. The bordeaux region furnishes red wine known as claret or simply bordeaux and white wine, both dry except for sauternes. Vineyards and wine producers in stellenbosch listed below is a sample of a few of the excellent wineries, vineyards and wine producers of stellenbosch. Stellenbosch wine a guide to the wines of stellenbosch. Situated in the worldfamous cape winelands region of stellenbosch, the farm.
If you could only choose australian wine region to truly showcase the history, evolution and revolution of australian wine then you could do a lot worse than pick the barossa valley. Now a new political age has arrived, and with it wine growers dedicated to bringing out the distinctive character derived from the soils and the nearperfect climate for grape growing enjoyed by various areas of south africa. The stellenbosch region is recognised and classified as a wine of origin location. Nederburg is south africas favourite name in wine, loved for a delicious combination of fruit and finesse. Stellenbosch wine tasting tours, what to expect and where to. The variety is best known in stellenbosch for producing very expressive wines that are more approachable in their youth than cabernet and merlot, mediumbodied with fine tannins and a generous midpalate. It is the second oldest european settlement in the province, after cape town. The area is well known for its great red wines however the whites originated from this region are also excellent. For a full description of the region and its wines, see stellenbosch. Stellenbosch holds the honour of being the most wellknown town in south africa. This book is a glorious tribute to south african wines and the personalities behind the wines. Stellenbosch wo wine of origin is classified as a district within the south african geographical wine classification system.
The crown jewel of south africas wine industry, stellenbosch, is a charming, dutchinfluenced countryside region and college town home of the prestigious stellenbosch university and much of south africas viticultural research that happens to boast some of the most exciting wineries in the country among its mesmerizing hills and mountains. Terroir the 227 ha stellenzicht of which 101 ha are planted under vine is situated on the slopes of the helderberg mountain between stellenbosch and somerset west. Not only does the stellenbosch region dominate the south african wine scene in terms of wine quality, education and history, it has also played a pioneering. Margaret river is the major geographical indication wine region in southwest western australia, with 5,017 hectares under vine and 215 wineries as at 2012. But one thing i hadnt contemplated during all these winery visits and over many a. It is one of several wo districts which are part of the coastal region wo and the district itself is subdivided into a number of wo wards. Production is concentrated around cape town, with major vineyard and production centres at constantia, paarl, stellenbosch and worcester. Cabernet sauvignon is the region s most widely planted grape variety, and is often combined with merlot to create bordeaux blend wines. Just wines trusted by australian wine lovers to deliver millions of bottles every year disclaimer. The first harvest at niebaumcoppola creates the estates flagship wine, rubicon, a red bordeauxstyle blend named after caesars famous crossing of a river in northern italy, which denoted the point of no return for him and his troops an appropriate metaphor for coppolas own quest to create worldclass wine.
Stellenbosch wine tasting tours have for years been one of the top tours that one just has to experience firsthand while in the area of stellenbosch this unique area with its incredible scenery of valleys, picturesque mountains and vineyards scattered makes for some incredible outings. The wine regions of south africa were defined under the wine of origin wyn van oorsprong act of 1973. Mirroring the french appellation dorigine controlee aoc system, all south african wines listing a wine of origin must be composed entirely of grapes from its region. Inglenook focuses on the long term to regain its glory the. South africas oldest wine estates the drinks business. In 1971 the first official wine route was founded by frans malan of simonsig, spatz sperling of delheim, and niel joubert of spier. Wine tours cape town and stellenbosch by wine flies. Below is a list of tour operators and guides who are able to show you the beauty of the stellenbosch region. A bordeaux wine revolution pictured by william echikson, a wine columnist for the wall. Nov 01, 2011 threetime wine writer of the year tom stevenson updates and enriches his classic guide. List of books and articles about wine industry online. Settlers began establishing wine estates in the early 1680s, so it is not surprising that the town of stellenbosch has lent its name to the wine region. Written by worldrenowned wine author jancis robinson and u.
Original series wines buy wine of original series winery. Authentic tours in the heart of the cape wine region. This history of south african wine incorporates detailed descriptions of a range of highquality wines. Stellenbosch is south africas bestknown wine region, producing a wide variety of wines from leading estates, even though it accounts for less than 20 per cent of the countrys total production. A brief history of the south african wine industry is followed by cellar techniques, the soils, climates, maps and main grape varieties as well as the development of the vineyards, the wines, the people and their winemaking philosophies. Constantia valley wine region is situated in mountainous surroundings and is home to some of the oldest wine estates in the country. Nov 07, 2017 stellenbosch is perhaps the most famous wineproducing region in south africa. South africas oldest wine estates you are currently viewing the international. Getting around we were picked up by kiff kombi tours in cape town midmorning and taken through to the stunning simonsberg mountain in stellenbosch, around which. I visited many stellenbosch wineries, took a tour of bordeaux in france, a vintage fiat 500 tour of chianti in italy and even a trip to a couple of vineyards on the island of menorca. And my taste has been heavily feted recently with visits to vineyards in the worlds best wine regions.
There are sixth generation grape growing families in the region, custodians to australias largest collection of old vines with blocks dating back to the 1840s. This is a list of wineries in south africa arranged by wine region. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of a person under the age of 18 years. History of inglenook, napa valley historic wine estate. This is a bold and muscular wine, with dense, concentrated aromas of black berry, plum and boysenberry that are accented by notes of black peppercorn, charred tobacco and soil.
The bordeaux region of france produces some of the most expensive and prestigious wines in the world. A touring guide to wineries of constantia, stellenbosch, franschhoek and paarl by theresa morrison. May 07, 2015 buy the history of wine in 100 bottles. There are three great books that delve into the rich history of the bordeaux region. Designated wards within the wine region are jonkershoek valley, simonsbergstellenbosch, bottelary, devon valley and papega. Sensibly too, the stellenbosch wine district is divided into 4 chapters south. Nullam sed augue vitae tortor eleifend tristique eu eu tellus. South african wines are quickly becoming worldrenowned, especially the countrys own varietal, pinotage, and because wine and food belong together, the region is turning into a foodie.
Stellenbosch wine region is well known in the cape. Down to earth with a rich history and winemaking tradition, we produce wines. Sauvignon blanc, pinotage, pinot noir and chardonnay. The jawdropping wines of south africas stellenbosch district. South african wine has a history dating back to 1659, with the first bottle produced in cape. Neethlingshof 2012 the short story collection the owl post. It lies in a prime winegrowing area known locally for its exceptional terroir as the golden triangle. History of wine origin of wine, interesting information on. The book selects 101 of the best wineries in the cape winelands and features. American wine is the first comprehensive and authoritative reference on the wines, wineries, and winemakers of america. Wines from stellenbosch the small winemakers collection. We definitely recommend this as a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. From feature films to fine wine by steve heimoff francis ford coppola presides over the mansion at inglenook like a lord of the manor from some english novel, an imposing. Cabernet sauvignon is the regions most widely planted grape variety, and is often combined with merlot to create bordeaux blend wines stellenbosch is just 25 miles 40km east of cape town.
Stellenbosch is perhaps the most famous wine producing region in south africa. A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Stellenbosch is synonymous with south african winemaking. Many of the photos we see of south african vineyardspositioned in front of striking granite mountains,are from the stellenbosch area.
Malbec has found a welcoming home in stellenbosch, flourishing along with the other bordeaux red varietals that the region is renowned for. French wine france is the most influential wineproducing area in the world and has developed superfine natural still wines and the finest sparkling winechampagne. The winery was founded in 1879 by a finnish sea captain gustave niebaum. In south africas most famous wine region, women are rewriting. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. This stunning estate boasts beautiful cape dutch architecture, a wine cellar and terrace for meals and winetasting, restaurants and bars. The historical heart of south african wine has been the area near the cape peninsula and. It is perhaps the most prestigious of the countrys wine regions. Winesearcher currently lists 221 stellenbosch wine producers. South african wine has a history dating back to 1659, with the first bottle produced in cape town by its founder jan van riebeeck. From the old world to the new, pick up the latest on all the wine producing areas across the globe with the awardwinning the sotherbys wine encyclopedia.
The rooms are situated on the site of the wine estate, just a short 2 minute walk from the tasting rooms, separate enough to provide perfect privacy but close enough to indulge in their excellent wines or treat. Current cultivars doing well in the growing wine region of kwazulunatal are. Sep 10, 2014 south africa might be considered a new world wine region, but its winemaking history dates back some 300 years. Lanzerac wine estate is one of the oldest, most luxurious wine estates and hotels in stellenbosch. The barossa valley australias most famous wine region. The first wine estate in this region was the stables wine estate, and the region s first wine of origin wine was released by tiny and judy van niekerk in july 2006.
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