The Swartland - Land of Wheat, Wine and Rooibos Tea

Known as the wheat, wine and rooibos-producing part of the Western Cape, the Swartland consists of the land that lies between Malmesbury in the south, across the Riebeek Valley to Piketberg in the north, Darling in the west, to the Oliphants Mountain at Porterville in the east. Beginning only 50 km outside Cape Town makes it fairly accessible to visitors wishing to enjoy its undulating wheat fields, vineyards and deep river valleys.

The changeable nature of its landscape creates many microclimates which permits the cultivation of a wide range of different wines - which you can discover on the Swartland Wine Route. Enjoy natural beauty and indigenous fynbos at the Riverlands Nature Reserve. Sample local produce (wines, olives, glazed fruits, cold meats) at the Swartland Tourism Centre. The town offers a fine selection of accommodation and eating establishments.

Jan van Riebeek called this softly undulating land between mighty mountain ranges "Het Zwarte Land" (the Black Land) because of the endemic Renoster shrubs. The Swartland is also an incredibly beautiful, yet often overlooked area with wide fertile plains that, after the rains in winter, turn black (swart land means black land in Afrikaans).

The lush waving golden wheat fields have contributed to its status as the bread basket of the Cape. There are as many landscapes as there are seasons and the blazing wheat is interspersed with wine, fruit and olive plantations that give rise to a patchwork quilt of colour.

Close to Cape Town, Darling is one of the highlight of the region. Home to Evita se Perron, the popular theatre and signature landmark of long time resident Pieter Dirk Uys, the old station complext combines a restaurant with a little cabaret theatre. A visit to Darling, founded in 1853, is really worthwhile. In thís town there are numerous beautiful Victorian houses as well as the Butter Museum, which takes a look at the history of butter making. During the wildflower season, after the first rainfalls in spring, the town is surrounded by carpets of rich colour.

Many of the vines on the Swartland Wine Route, which is visibly sign-posted and stretches throughout the region, grow under dryland conditions in bush form. This means they are not watered, resulting in a particularly excellent quality and flavour of wine, much sought after for blending with wine from irrigated vineyards.

The Riebeek Valley is the centre of wine production. In the beautiful twin hamlets of Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel, at the foot of the Kasteelberg, artists and arts & crafts people have settled. The atmosphere is authentically rural. There are scenic hiking and horseriding trails. Riebeek Valley has fast become a draw card for those seeking alternative country-style living. Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel, twin towns that lie virtually on top of one another at the foot of the Kasteelberg, are extremely popular and worth a visit.