Spotlight on Stellenbosch
South Africa's key wine region

Stellenbosch's roots go right back to the beginning of the wine industry in South Africa.  

Conveniently located just a short distance east from Cape Town, this is the country's leading wine area, and is home to many of the country's top estates. Three other significant wine regions: Paarl, Franschoek and Constantia are in easy driving distance.

The town itself is dominated by the University, and despite its relatively large size has quite a relaxed feel. 

This is an ideal destination for wine tourists. The proximity to Cape Town and the variety of accommodation, golf courses and restaurants means that there's always going to be plenty to do, and the climate is lovely. Vineyards fringed by mountains make for some lovely views, and the wine route, which takes tourists through several different trails, is well marked out. 

Here I'm reviewing five estates that I visited in February 2003. 

• Hartenberg Estate

• Thelema

• Kaapzicht

• Beyerskloof

• Warwick Estate

See also: 

• the wine anorak's guide to South African wine

• the Constantia Wine Route

• Cape town with kids

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