The Swartland Wine Route

Visitors to this unpretentious region will be pleasantly surprised with vistas of golden wheat fields, yellow conola, olive groves and green vineyards. Conveniently situated close to Cape Town, bordered by the West Coast, the Swartland is an ideal destination for anyone who enjoys great food, quality wine and good company.

  

Malmesbury is the main business centre of the area and home to the Swartland Wine Route office. The wine route shares offices with Malmesbury Tourism, the Cape West Coast / Swartland Tourism Association and the International Desk of the Swartland Municipality. The office is easily accessible and centrally situated on the corner of Church and Voortrekker Street. Visitors are welcome to visit the office for general information about the area and its wine cellars.

The Swartland Wine Route was established in 1986 and stretches from the Berg River in the North to the Paardeberg in the South, encompassing Piketberg, Porterville, Malmesbury and the Riebeek Valley. At present the route boasts 18 members – including co-operatives, estates, private cellars and garagista. Each cellar presents a unique experience. Some boasts beautiful historic homesteads and others brand new modern tasting rooms, while smaller wineries offer intimate wine tasting in rustic cellars or outside amongst the vineyards. Olives is an integral part of the agricultural products of the region and some wineries offer a variety of olive produce for sale

  

The region has diverse microclimates and soils, all contributing to the uniqueness of the wines on offer along the route. Harsh summer conditions, often followed by a mild winter with the rainfall often lower than expected, is the order of the day. Vines are hardy and although trellising is increasingly being adopted, bush vines are still dominating the scene. The area is predominantly known for its excellent Shiraz, but plantings are dominated by Pinotage and Chenin Blanc cultivars. Producers are also experimenting with scarce cultivars, such as Viognier, Malbec and Grenaché.

A wide range of restaurants and accommodation establishments, catering for a variety of tastes and preferences are available in the Swartland. Having indulged in the fabulous food and wine that is on offer visitors can browse around the art galleries and curio shops. For the more adventurous the Swartland is the perfect destination to explore the outdoors. Visitors can choose from several activities including golf courses, walking trails, 4X4 trails, mountain bike trails, clay pigeon shooting, canoeing and even hang-gliding.

Wine and olive tasting in the Swartland are free of charge, the locals friendly and the wine value for money. A map of the Wine Route can be obtained from the wineries and local tourism offices.