Wellington- a great base from which to explore the Western Cape Winelands

I hope that those of you who are visiting South Africa for an MEI Conference will take some time off after the event to enjoy the beauty of the fabulous Western Cape. The Wine Districts are on top of most people's lists with Stellenbosch and Franschhoek the popular bases and we have enjoyed relaxing days there many times after MEI Conferences. But I would also recommend Wellington, which is only a 50 minute drive from the Vineyard Hotel and provides a good base for exploring the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Wine routes, with some interesting places nearby.

Nine years ago, following Flotation '15, Barbara and I stayed for a week at the Manor House at the excellent Diemersfontein Wine Estate just south of Wellington. Diemersfontein has some fine wines but is perhaps noted mostly for its signature pinotage with its very distinctive taste.

Diemersfontein

From our base it was an easy drive to Boschendal, probably the Cape's most visited wine estate, situated halfway between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Founded in 1685, its huge gardens, wine tasting under the oak trees, and spectacular setting makes it a magnet for the tour buses from Cape Town.

Boschendal

One of our favourite estates on the Stellenbosch wine route is Delheim, a great place for lunch, enjoying the view down to the False Bay coast while savouring a glass of its excellent Cabernet Sauvignon.

Approaching Delheim

Delheim

Bain’s Kloof Pass, created in the 1850s, is one of South Africa’s finest scenic mountain passes, connecting Wellington to Ceres and the Tulbagh Valley. We drove north east of Wellington, stopping off at the picturesque Doolhof Wine Estate, nestling under the Bain's Kloof Pass, before driving over the pass for lunch in the small town of Tulbagh, which was devastated by an earthquake in 1969. Church Street is just one block back from the main street and has an 18th and 19th century streetscape perfectly restored after the earthquake.

Doolhof Wine Estate

Bain's Kloof Pass

Church Street, Tulbagh

Close to Wellington is Paarl, the third-oldest town in South Africa, and after calling in at the beautiful Rhebokskloof wine estate for coffee, we took the dirt road which climbs into the Paarl Mountain Reserve.

Rhebokskloof

The three rounded outcrops that make up Paarl Mountain is the second largest granite outcrop in the world and forms part of the Nature Reserve for which Paarl is well known.The outcrops are certainly impressive, and after a few short walks we returned to Paarl for a late lunch at La Grande Roche Hotel with its stunning view across the Paarl Valley.

Lunch at La Grande Roche

As we had a night flight from Cape Town to London, we avoided the afternoon traffic leaving Cape Town on the N2 and spent some time at one of the Cape's most spectacular wine estates, Vergelegen, in Somerset West. After a late lunch it was then an easy drive along the N2 to the airport.

So these are the things we did during our short stay at Diemersfontein, and I hope that those of you who have travelled this beautiful area will also leave your suggestions.