Although the first wine was made at the Cape of Good Hope in 1659 by Jan van Riebeeck, Commander of the first Dutch settlement; Constantia was the first farm dedicated to wine farming. The original farm was granted to Governor Simon van der Stel in 1658, and he soon proved that wine of acceptable quality could be produced here.

The farms Goot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig and Steenberg today constitute the Constantia ward. The former three were all part of Van der Stel's farm.

Groot Constantia attained its greatest fame in the 19th century, when the Cloete family produced a sweet, dessert-style wine that was enjoyed by emperors, kings and aristocrats in Europe and elsewhere. Napoleon Bonaparte, while in exile on St Helena, requested a supply of this wine.

The Constantia Valley nestles against the lower slopes of Constantia Mountain, which, with Table Mountain, forms the "spine" of the Cape Peninsula. The climate and soils are regarded as the very best for viniculture in South Africa. Mountain shade in the afternoon and cool sea breezes from nearby False Bay slow down the ripening process of the grapes, and ample rainfall means that no irrigation is needed. Highly prized wines from noble cultivars are produced.

Groot Constantia, with its historic Cape Dutch homestead, cellars and various other buildings, set in lush surroundings, draw over 500,000 visitors a year.

DURBANVILLE

Durbanville, where wine was first made 280 years ago, lies in the rolling hills northeast of Cape Town, bordering on the wheat-growing regions. Urban expansion has engulfed many farms around the original village of Durbanville, but a few wine estates have survived and today produce wines in a variety of styles. The area is especially known for reds made from noble cultivars.

Most of the vineyards are situated on the hill slopes, in deep, well-drained soils. Breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, only 10 miles to the west, and False Bay to the south cool the vines in summer and also keep them dry, thus preventing fungus and disease.

PAARL

The historic town of Paarl lies in the fertile Berg River valley, at the foot of Paarl Mountain with its distinctive granite boulders. It is home to KWV, the largest local exporter of products of the vine. Its head office, La Concorde, is situated in the main street, with its cellar complex - the largest in the world - just behind it. The world-famous Nederburg Wine Auction is held on the Nederburg Estate each year, and in April a nouveau wine festival on Paarl Mountain attracts thousands of visitors who come to taste the first offerings of the season. The wine farms in the district have recently formed an organization, the Paarl Vintners, to co-ordinate efforts to improve the quality and marketing of their products. Activities also include the social improvement of farm workers.

STELLENBOSCH

The picturesque town of Stellenbosch, with its oak-lined streets and many 18th century Cape Dutch buildings, is another legacy of Governor Simon van der Stel, who founded it in 1679. The town straddles the banks of the Eerste River, in a fertile valley bound on the east by Simonsberg, the Johkershoek mountains and Stellenboschberg, and on the other by Papegaaiberg, where the "burghers" of old used to have clay parrot shooting competitions. Van der Stel realized it was the ideal place to grow grapes.

The Stellenbosch region has the most wine estates and producers of any region in South Africa, among which are some of the most famous names in the industry. It is also home to the three largest producing wholesalers - Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery, Gilbeys and Distillers Corporation - as well as the Van Ryn Brandy Cellar.

The generally mild Mediterranean climate, with annual rainfall of 600-800 mm, and variety of soil types and Micro-Climates is well-suited for the production of noble cultivars. A total of about 300 different wines in a wide range of styles are produced, including whites, cultivar and blended reds, and Methode Cap Classique sparkling wine. Many of these regularly win the highest honors at wine competitions.

The town is also home to Stellenbosch University, with its more than 145,000 students. It is the only university in the country with viticultural and oenological departments, and many of South Africa's most successful winemakers have been trained here and at the Elsenburg School of Agriculture outside the town. In 1995, KWV was instrumental in the establishment of an Institute of Wine Biotechnology at the university.

Also situated outside Stellenbosch is ARC-Nietvoorbij Center for Vine and Wine, which has one of the most modern experimental wineries and distilleries in the world. Important research into new cultivars, clones and rootstocks is done at its various experimental farms in different wine-growing areas.

FRANSCHHOEK

Franschhoek nestles in a verdant valley, enclosed on three sides by towering mountains from which the Berg River springs. The town was founded by French Huguenots, who started arriving at the Cape in 1688 after fleeing religious persecution in France. They brought with them a culture steeped in the tradition of the vine, and many of them settled in this valley. A monument and museum at the end of the main street today honor their contribution, and many of their descendants are well-known names in the wine industry, as in other walks of life. Many of the producing farms and estates were first granted to Huguenots towards the end of the 17th century, and still bear the original French names. Some of the best-known quality wines come from this valley, including dry and wooded whites, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot noir, and a range of Methode Cap Classique sparkling wines.

HELDERBERG

The town of Somerset West is regarded as the gateway to the winelands of the Cape. Somerset West is situated against the slopes of the magnificent Helderberg and Hottentots-Holland mountains, fringed by country estates, orchards and vineyards. This is the commercial center of the Helderberg area and the leafy town retains an attractive rural atmosphere.

The history of the town dates back to 1700 when the Governor of the Cape at that time, Willem Adriaanvan der Stel acquired the farm Vergelegen (far away). The magnificent old homestead which he built is one of the finest of the Cape Dutch manor houses and the enormous 300-year old camphor trees which stand in front of the house have been declared national monuments. The building of the town itself started in 1820 and it was named after the governor, Lord Charles Somerset.

The eight wine farms on the Helderberg Wine Route share a mountain and maritime Micro-Climate which produces fine wines with a local character. Most offer wine tasting and sales, and some offer light lunches or picnic baskets. The historic manor house at Vergelegen dates back to 1700, and the state is also famous for its rose and herb gardens.

WALKER BAY

This region is generally accepted to be the most southerly area on the African continent likely to sustain vines and ripen grapes, contains three main valleys where agriculture is possible. The proximity of the cold waters of the southern ocean gives the area a markedly different climate and provides vines with a more difficult home in which to live. Walker Bay is a popular region that produces excellent Chardonnay, and tat the Hamilton Russell Estate they continue to produce outstanding Pinot Noir, more than any other location in South Africa.

From $3475
SOUTH AFRICA WINE TOUR
Day 1: Depart USA
Day 2: Arrive Cape Town, South Africa
Day 3: Cape Town
Day 4: Cape Town
Day 5: Paarl Wine Region
Day 6: Paarl Wine Region
Day 7: Stellenbosch Wine Region
Day 8: Stellenbosch Wine Region
Day 9: Walker Bay Wine Region (Hermanus)
Day 10: Depart South Africa
Day11: Arrive USA

EXTENSIONS FOR WINE TOUR
Garden Route, South Africa
Sun City, South Africa
Victoria Falls, Zambia