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 Swartland & olifants river Wine Routes
Just 40 minutes north of Cape Town lies the Swartland, a vast region of rolling hills and sweeping vistas of wheat and vineyards origionally known as the breadbasket of the Cape and now one of its finest wine gems.
The Swartland wine route extends from Darling on the west coast down to the Oliphants Mountain at Porterville in the east and includes Malmesbury, Riebeek Valley and Piketberg in the north.
Vineyards lie along the banks of the Berg River and in the foothills of the number of imposing mountain ranges that define the Swartland, and which produce a contrasting backdrop to the vibrant beauty of the vineyards. Initially renowned for its full-bodied red and fortified wines the Swartland has in recent years produced some absolutely top white wines while continuing to produce excellent port-style wines.
 Almost all the vines are grown under dryland conditions, due to the shortage of water in this area, although some of them are irrigated towards the end of long and dry summers. Lack of irrigation means the wines contain exceptional quality and flavour for 3which reason they are favoured to blend with wines produced from irrigated vineyards.
The Swartland wine route was established in 1986 stretching from Paardeberg in the south to the Berg River in the north and encompassing the exquisite Riebeek Valley as well as the towns of Malmesbury, Piketberg and Porterville.
It is an ideal day trip destination from Cape Town and a delightful journey of discovery for wine lovers as well as for tourists heading towards the West Coast, Northern Cape or Namibia along the N7.
The vastness of the Swartland provides visitors with the opportunity to relax and absorb the essence of this region.
Here visitors are welcomed as family and are guaranteed to leave with a story to pass along and wonderful memories of delicious food and wines.
Each producer offers guests a uniquely different experience due to the geographical diversity of the area. The route currently has a total of 20 members, including co-operatives, private cellars, garagistes and wine merchants. Explore the winemaking history of the region at some of the historic estates or enjoy exquisite wine experiences at modern tasting rooms. Smaller wineries present intimate wine tastings in rustic cellars, while family concerns dating back generations will welcome visitors with the customary Swartland hospitality.
The Swartland not only offers sublime wines, but also plenty of exciting outdoor activities, value for money accommodation options and exemplary cuisine at a diverse selection of restaurants in the region. Olive production forms an important part of agricultural activities in the region and many wineries offer a variety of olive products for sale.
Close enough to get to, yet far enough to get away….Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and discover one of the wine gems of the country – the Swartland Santam Wine Route. Located within an hour’s drive from Cape Town, visitors will be enchanted by the warm hospitality, award-winning wines and great cuisine.
The Berg River Area
The Berg River area forms the northern most part of the route and stretches from the Berg River to Piketberg and Porterville in the east.
- Winkelshoek
- Nieuwedrift
- Org de Rac Domain
- Houdconstant
The Paardeberg & Malmesbury
The Paardeberg (Horse Mountains) is the landmark division between the Swartland and Paarl wine regions.
- Abbotts Hill Winery
- Annex Kloof Wine
- Babylons Peak Private Cellar
- Dragonridge Winery
- Franki's Vineyards
- Lammershoek
- Nassau Winery
- Swartland Winery
The Riebeek Valley Area
The picturesque Riebeek Valley hosts some of the oldest estates on the route and nestled against the Kasteelberg, the villages of Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel.
- Allesverloren Estate
- Pulpit Rock Winery
- Riebeek Cellars
- Kloovenburg Wine & Olive Estate
- Het Vlock Casteel
- Meerhof Cellar
- Riebeeck Olive Boutique
olifants river wine route Definitely not your average wine route, the Olifants River wine route immerses one in all the landscapes of the west coast. Only 270 km from Cape Town, on the N7 or simply follow the R27 along the West Coast, this wine route is different from all the others.
One minute you will find yourself a stone's throw from the seaside with its charming fisherman's cottages,the next on top of a purple mountain, or knee deep in wild daisies. The Olifants River Wine Route winds amongst country that is as complex as the bouquet of a fine wine.
This wine route is not a montage of whitewashed manors with Cape Dutch gables, ancient oak trees and 5-star restaurants. Their wine co-op truck is nicknamed Black Betsie, and their website carries an over-18 age restriction (South Africa’s legal drinking age).
In fact life in this valley is very different all round. You may have to make appointments to visit many of the wineries since winemakers tend to wander off to tread their grapes, save endangered tortoises or rushed off to preserve a rare succulent or two.
Astounding in the diversity of its terroir, the sheltered valley floor is ideally suited to varieties such as Colombar and Chenin blanc, while the shy-bearing noble varieties do well on the Karoo soils above the canal system. There are some vineyards placed a mere 800 m away from the cooling influences of the Atlantic Ocean, perfect for the cultivation of premium quality Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir. Even fussy Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs are nursed here beside the ocean, while thanks to careful canopy management and micro-irrigation techniques, Colombar and Chenin Blanc thrive on the valley floor There are several petite boutique cellars on the route, where visitors are welcomed with open arms and you might discover wines you've only heard about. To crown it all there is also a special cellar on the route, which amongst other things produces grape pip oil and verjuice. All the cellars on the route have as their prime objective the production of high quality wines and they are continuously planning how new available technology, to produce high quality wines, can be utilized in the production of their wines.
At the Namaqua winery in Vredendal, over 5000 hectares are under vines and the vineyards literally flow to the ocean’s edge. The cellars sell over 35,000,000 litres of wine every year.
Lutzville has the second biggest cellar in South Africa selling some very well-priced wines, such as Vin de la Tortue at Stoumann Wines the sales proceeds of which go towards saving Namaqualand’s geometric tortoises, and do call in at Rosslo and the Teubes family estates. Or detour to the Seal Breeze winery to experience 100% handmade wine. At Fryers Cove’s vineyards, closer to the sea, buy your self a bottle or 6 of Richard Fryer – a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend – if it’s not sold out!
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