Production of wine brings an important contribution to the South African economy. It is estimated that a growing figure of about one billion litres of wine are produced every year.
Wine route - South Africa
The viticulture in the Cape Peninsula can be traced to the 17th century. Dutch and especially French settlers brought the know-how and rapidly had excellent results in the sunny and fertile valleys around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
Today the wine production produces also good wines from further areas as the Breede River, the Overberg, the Swartland and the Cedarberg.
South African wines are in growing demand overseas and more than 2 million cartons are reported to be exported per year.
Most of the cellars can be visited without special arrangement and some of them have also extra facilities as restaurant or even accommodation.