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stellenbosch winemaking district
Stellenbosch features some of the finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture and boasts a winemaking tradition that stretches back to the 17th century. The 'town of oaks' is the wine educational and research centre of the winelands, being home to Stellenbosch University, Elsenburg School of Agriculture and the Nietvoorbij Institute of Viticulture and Oenology. The latter having one of the most modern experimental wineries in the world and, at its experimental farms (situated in several wine growing districts), important research into new varietals, clones and rootstocks is conducted. The mountainous terrain, good rainfall, deep, well-drained soils and diversity of terroir make this a sought after viticultural area. The rapidly increasing number of wine estates and producers (in excess of 130) include some of the most famous names in Cape wine. The district, with its mix of historic estates and contemporary wineries, produces excellent examples of almost all the noble grape varieties and is known for the quality of its blended reds.	The intensively farmed Stellenbosch district has been divided into several smaller viticultural pockets including Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Bottelarey and Devon Valley. Each of these subregions are in own right worthy of recognition for unique and high caliber wines. Indeed this will progressively become the calling card of Stellenbosch wines, the remarkable diversity of climate and soil and therefore product. The region has attracted a great deal of investment over the past decade and ambitious new wineries or refurbished wineries make winetasting a surreal experience. Wineries such as Waterford, Ernie Els, Lourensford, Waterkloof, Delaire, Tokara, Glen Carlou and many others are ahead of their time in terms of architecture and wines. The juxtaposition with the established Cape Dutch wineries of Kanonkop, Rust en Vrede, Meerlust, Morgenster and others is especially interesting and allows the wine aficionado to draw interesting comparisons. Our wineries page allows direct links to these farms and others.