OK, its not in the Winelands, but we felt it was worth including as the region produces some of the finest wines imaginable …
Walker Bay, a 45 minute drive from Cape Town, has become a fashionable region to visit, particularly with the establishment of over a dozen wineries in and around Hermanus, already popular for its whale spotting between June and November. The Hemel-en-Aarde (heaven and earth) Valley, just behind Hermanus, has become part of a popular wine farm meander and is definitely worth a visit. Grapes grown in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley are influenced by the cold Atlantic Ocean and the temperate conditions and clayey soil produce wines similar to those of Northern France.
The valley, which stretches some 6km from Hermanus to Caledon, is surrounded and sheltered by mountains on all sides – Galpin Peak and the Glen Varloch range to the south and the Babylonstoring mountain range to the north – which trap cloud cover and retain moisture throughout the valley.
For additional info on Hermanus where you can view photographs, read about atrractions, the whales that have made Hermanus famous and find accommodation in Hermanus for your next holiday see links below.
- Accommodation: Click to view
- Hotels: Click to view
- Attractions: Click to view
- Things to Do: Click to view
The Onrust River winds its way through the valley where one of the youngest but fastest growing wine routes in South Africa is already establishing a name with its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay cultivars. The Bouchard Finlayson estate, Whalehaven Wines, Hamilton Russel Vineyards, Cape Bay and Sumaridge are open to the public for wine tastings.