Just 40 minutes north of Cape Town lies the Swartland, a vast region of rolling hills and sweeping vistas of wheat and vineyards origionally known as the breadbasket of the Cape and now one of its finest wine gems.

The Swartland wine route extends from Darling on the west coast down to the Oliphants Mountain at Porterville in the east and includes Malmesbury, Riebeek Valley and Piketberg in the north.

Wine Routes in Malmesbury, Swartland

Vineyards lie along the banks of the Berg River and in the foothills of the number of imposing mountain ranges that define the Swartland, and which produce a contrasting backdrop to the vibrant beauty of the vineyards. Initially renowned for its full-bodied red and fortified wines the Swartland has in recent years produced some absolutely top white wines while continuing to produce excellent port-style wines.

Almost all the vines are grown under dryland conditions, due to the shortage of water in this area, although some of them are irrigated towards the end of long and dry summers. Lack of irrigation means the wines contain exceptional quality and flavour for 3which reason they are favoured to blend with wines produced from irrigated vineyards.

The Swartland wine route was established in 1986 stretching from Paardeberg in the south to the Berg River in the north and encompassing the exquisite Riebeek Valley as well as the towns of Malmesbury, Piketberg and Porterville.

It is an ideal day trip destination from Cape Town and a delightful journey of discovery for wine lovers as well as for tourists heading towards the West Coast, Northern Cape or Namibia along the N7.

The vastness of the Swartland provides visitors with the opportunity to relax and absorb the essence of this region.
Here visitors are welcomed as family and are guaranteed to leave with a story to pass along and wonderful memories of delicious food and wines.