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The most picturesque and oldest of all the wine producing regions in South Africa are the rich and fertile valleys around Cape Town. First settled by Dutch communities, the area wine producing history dates back to the mid 17th century when Jan van Riebeeck the area to the Dutch East India Company because of its suitable grape growing climate and the useful position on shipping routes to the east. The first shipments of grape vine cuttings mainly from France arrived at Table Bay around 1655 and soon vineyards sprung up throughout the region. The first wine was made by van Riebeeck himself in 1659. Many of these first vineyards were planted by servants of the Dutch East India Company who had been freed to farm their own land.
The French Huguenots arrival in the 1680’s expanded the art of winemaking in the area with their experiences of vineyard and cellar practice, most settling in the Franschhoek Valley where the names of most of the farms today show a resemblance to their French past. Stellenbosch (or Boland) is now one of the most important wine growing regions in South Africa with Boschendal amongst the most beautiful combining stunning mountain landscape with picturesque vineyards and lovely buildings.
Oh yes…and it tastes pretty good too! A tour of some the wineries which take you through into the shade of the vines including free refreshing tasters is an excellent way to spend a scorching South African afternoon.
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