Wine Estates of the Stellenbosch Mountains

Stellenbosch Mountains Wine Estates

Stellenbosch is an integral part of the Cape Winelands, being the home of a vast array of the wines that have earned this region such acclaim amongst wine connoisseurs. It has a mountainous topography, with a number of the exquisite wine farms situated both in the valley and in the surrounding mountains.

An hour inland of Cape Town, the hills and mountains of Stellenbosch include Simonsberg, Papegaaiberg (Parrot Mountain), Groot Drakenstein, Jonkershoek and Die Twee Pieke (or The Twin Peaks). The soils of this area range from clay to dark alluvial, and the incline of the mountains makes for an ideal setting in terms of the irrigation and drainage of vineyards.

The Simonsberg Mountain boasts a unique range of soils, which makes the producing of wine grapes especially interesting. This diversity in soils means that the wines of this mountain are equally varied. The higher up the mountain the wine farms are, the cooler the weather. This slows down the maturing of the grapes and adds character to the final product.

The Groot Drakenstein Mountain enjoys hot, dry summers and cold winters, often accompanied by snow on the caps. Its upper peaks are known to be the wettest place in the country. This combination is an important ingredient to the grapes and, of course, wines produced here.

For more information about this wine route see Stellenbosch Wine Routes or view the individual wine estates of this region below.