South African wine yards in pictures

I really like the South African wine regons and not only because of its wine. The view and scenery is so beautiful. Isn´t it? Here are some pictures from my trip to South Africa in 2010.

Flowers and wine yards in Stellenbosch

Thelema wine yard

Top 10 South African Wine Estates

If you love the sea, nice weather, great food and wine, book a holiday to Cape Town in South Africa and you will get everything in one place.

You can rent a car or take a tourist trip with a tourist company to the wine district close to Cape Town.
My favourites are Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.


There is a short overview on: http://www.wineanorak.com/saregions.htm



My top 10 South African Wine Estates to visit are:

1. Rust en Vrede was established in 1694 by the then Governor of the Cape and has won many awards for its wines. President Nelson Mandela selected Rust en Vrede to be served at the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize dinner in Oslo, where he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
2. Vergelegen established in 1685. It has won many international awards and is one of the most historic estates in the Western Cape.
3. Meerlust has a beautiful historic manor house and a nice wine shop. The  estate is producing a variety of fine wines such as Rubicon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Red and the Meerlust Chardonnay.

4. Delaire Graff Estate, endulge in luxury. Wine tastings, spa, restaurant and lodge. The boutique hotel is gorgoeous with private pools and there is a elegant restaurant where you can have lunch.
5. Alto, another awardwinning wine estate which has won several awards for its wines.
6. The name Kanonkop is derived from a kopje (hillock), from which a cannon was fired in the 17th Century. The estate has a long history and has also won several international awards for its wine.
7. La Motte has won interantional awards for its wines. There are several beautiful historical buildings on the estate and a lovely restaurant and museum. Classical conserts are held in the cellar. Check their website, see link above, for dates and times.
8. Plaisir de Merle is a historical farm from 1693. The estates is famous for its wines and the scenery and nature is lovely.
9. The Groot Constantia wine estate was founded in 1679 and it is South Africa’s oldest wine estate. It has beautiful buildings and lovely surroundings.
10. Avontuur Estate has a wine tasing room, mediterranean restaurant and amazing view from the estate.
11. Thelema wine yard. Very nice staff & wine tastings.
12. Annandale
13. Graham Beck
14. Boschendale
15. Rupert & Rothschild
16. Nederberg 

South African penguins in pictures

When I recently visited South Africa we went to Cape Town. We took a trip to Simons Town to see the sweet penguins. They were really lovely. How cute!

There are about 2500 penguins in Simons Town. Read more on: http://www.simonstown.com/tourism/penguins/penguins.htm

Colourful Cape Town

I went to Cape Town in South Africa for a weekend. My conclusion is that you can see a lot in Cape Town over a weekend. But it will be a busy weekend. Cape Town is such a beautiful place with a lot to see and do.

Extraordinary and unexpected view
I had a really nice breakfast at the SAS Radisson in the Waterfront. Suddenly the waiter came by and said - Look at the waves and pointed at the sea.

I looked and nodded. The view of the sea is nice. But then I thought, why are so many people gathering by the window with their cameras?

Then I realized, I heard wrong, he didnt say waves, he said whales... so I grabbed my camera and joined the crowd to get some pictures of the awesome view... whales in the sea, just outside the hotel.

1. Visit the Cape of good hope. It is totally stunning to see the two seas meet, and definitely worth the trip. It is about an hour from Cape Town. Take a picture of yourself in front of the famous sign. It is said that it is the most southern-western part you can visit of Africa.Bring your camera but watch out for the baboons on the way there. Their favourite hobby is to steel food from tourists...

2. I just loved to watch the pretty penguins on the beach. They are so sweet. Go to Simonstown to see the penguins on the way back from the Cape of Good hope. 

3. Back in Cape Town go for some wine tastings in the wine yards. Spier is very close to Cape Town and offers a range of wines.
   You can rent a car or take a tourist trip with a tourist company to the wine district. Short overview on: http://www.wineanorak.com/saregions.htm
   My favourite is Franschhoek. There are so many super nice hotels and restaurants here!!
   Vrede en Lust, Graham Beck, La Motte and Rupert & Rothschild, do I need to say more? Last time we visited Theleme wine yard. Lovely wine and after that we had a luxury lunch at the Delaire Graff Estate. Their suite hotel is gorgoeous with private pools.
4. Take a boat trip to Robben Island for a tour where Nelson Mandela was a prisoner and get to know more about the South African history. Robben Island was originally part of the mainland, the peak of an ancient mountain. Today it is an island and a World Heritage Site and museum
5. You should also take a tour to the township to get some more knowledge of the life that too many South Africans live today. Townships were created as living areas for non-whites under the old political system of Apartheid. But you cannot go there on your own. Book a guided tour through your hotel. And do not go there during nighttime.
6. If you need extra exercise take a hike up the Table Moutain and enjoy the fab view over Cape Town and the ocean. You can also go by the cableway. http://tablemountain.net/
   The trip with the cableway takes about five-minutes, but if you take a hike the 3 km could take between 1-3 hours.
7. The Aquarium could be nice for kids on a rainy day. http://www.aquarium.co.za/
8. If you need some light exercise go for shopping in the Waterfront area.
   The large shopping area by the sea is called Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and it is situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain.
   
   Where to shop...Some of my fav shops are:
   Cape Unions Mart Travel and Safari - Outdoor clothing for you safari trip
   CNA - papers and stuff
   Crabtree & Evelyn - cosmetic
   Edgars - clothes
   Exclusive books
   Woolworths, Truworths, Nine Weest - clothes and bags
   Out of Africa - fab souvenirs
   
   Where to eat
9. Breakfast is nice at Mugg and Bean
   Lunch at Ocean Basket, I just love their fresh fish or at Steers or Wang Thai.
   Have a nice dinner at Cape Town Fish Market and Sushi Bar. The large selection of sushi is going around in the restaurant on a conveyer belt or you can have some fab fresh fish for your main meal. The best place for grill and wine is the Belthazar. Amazing food! They also have the biggest wine bar in the world according to themselves. But save the dessert and go to the Haagen-Dazs for an icecream, yummy...
   
   Where to stay
10. Stay in with a great view of the sea in luxury at the Table bay hotel. Or in the cheaper but not cheap SAS Waterfront Cape Town. Or even cheaper at the Commodore hotel. The exclusive Delair Graff Estate is also an amazing for a night on the wine yard estate.