Wellington is a small, charming town in the Western Cape, cast in the late-afternoon shade of the magnificent Groenberg Mountain as it enjoys its prime positioning within a verdant valley of jade and emerald vegetation. On the lazy banks of the Kromme River, Wellington is only about three-quarters of an hour’s drive from Cape Town, but far away enough to be completely free of the city buzz and the ever-present vibe. It is only 10 kilometres outside the historically Afrikaans town of Paarl, which is also acclaimed for its many wonderful wines.
Wellington’s claims to fame include deciduous fruit, wine and brandy. In fact, some of the most popular brandies in the country hail from this little hub. The best known wine cellars in the region include Diemersfontein, Bellingham, and Douglas Green. These produce beautiful wines that range from sweet and dry bubblies to intense reds, crisp whites and everything in-between. This ensures that the labels coming out of Wellington are fit to suit every taste and preference. (see Wellington Wine Estates).
In terms of the brandies that come out of Wellington, there certainly is something very special awaiting brandy-loving visitors. The country’s best pot-stilled brandies come from the vineyards of this town, and brandy tastings are a must. There is a formal Wellington Brandy Route, which includes the likes of Nabygelegen Private Cellar, De Compagnie, Napier Winery and Oude Wellington Wine and Brandy Estate.
At many of these cellars, whether wine or brandy, guests are able to tour the facilities in order to learn more about the fascinating process entailed; from the grape to the bottle. Tastings are a must for anyone that wants to savour some of the world’s most wonderful wine and brandy flavours (drinking is only permitted for those that are over 18 years of age). In fact, even those that do not know much about the technicalities behind them will, no doubt, relish the experience to sample them.
There are a number of restaurants in the region, which make the perfect stop-over during a day spent visiting the vineyards that yield such magnificent wines and brandies. This town is known for its hospitable welcome and warm ambience, ensuring that visitors always feel right at home.
Cape Town, affectionately known as the Mother City, is near enough that international visitors can base themselves in the charming, quiet retreat of Wellington while spending their days exploring the tourist attractions of the big city. These include Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Camps Bay Beach and plenty more. The Cape Town International Airport is roughly 25 minutes away from Wellington, making it very accessible. Of course, there is so much to see and do even further afield, and guests will have no shortage of items on their travel itineraries.
Some Useful Links for Wellington:
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It is the weather and the pH levels of the soil in the Wellington region that make it such an ideal grape-growing area. Mile after mile of pristine vineyards attest to this truth. That is why, despite being a small town, Wellington is known the world around for the fabulous labels that come out of it.