Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

Dombeya Farm: Dombeya Farm has a hand-spinning and dyeing workshop that sells a varietyof hand-knitted woollen jerseys.Libertas Parva: This establishment houses a Rembrandt van Rijn Art Museum.CUISINESimonsberg Cheese: Visitors can sample and buy some of the Simonsberg cheese factory’saromatic cheeses.Stellenbosch Wine Route: The Stellenbosch Wine Route is one of the icons of the WesternCape. There are over 30 wine estates around Stellenbosch, which, after Constantia Valley, isthe oldest winemaking centre in South Africa. From the start, wine and its production were anintegral part of the community’s life and culture. The granite soils, found mostly against theeastern mountain slopes, are well suited to the growing of grapes for quality red wines, whilethe vineyards towards the west, on the sandy soils of sandstone, favour the production ofwhite wines. The moderate and fairly cool climate, with rain largely confined to the wintermonths and with hot dry summers, produces some of the most outstanding quality cultivars.There are some 260 different vintages available for tasting on the wine route. Many of thecellars also have fine restaurants and provide picnic baskets. There is no better way for afledgling wine lover to gain an intimate glimpse into the world of the winemaker. Wines maybe taken away immediately or can be delivered, both within South Africa and abroad. Formore information on the wine route, visit its website at http://www.wineroute.co.zaStrawberry Farming: The Stellenbosch area is also a fertile strawberry-farming area andboxes of strawberries can be bought at very reasonable prices at any of the farm stalls,provided, of course, that they are in season.Van Ryk Brandy Cellar: Demonstrations of the distillation of brandy and the making of barrelsare conducted at the Van Ryk Brandy Cellar.187