Column: Wine tourism in South Africa, where to go!

Bregje van Weezel (47) lives with her family in Cape Town, South Africa. She writes about her experiences in the colourful but also complex country. In this column, she shares her enthusiasm and knowledge about the South African wine industry. Her stories are neither too dry nor too heavy and this column is entirely on her (wine) mind. If you would like to read more about everything she likes in South Africa, you can follow Bregje on Instragram @vin_ik_leuk

At around half a billion euros a year, the South African wine industry contributes significantly to the South African economy. Which, without having drunk, is rather shaky of itself, so all those millions are more than welcome. It is not just the sale of wine itself that brings in money. It is mainly wine tourism that makes the difference, and nowhere in the world is it as diverse and grand as in South Africa.

Wine till five

South Africa has five wine regions, which are divided into districts, which in turn are divided into wards. Complicated system, but South Africans just love a lot of administration. For the sake of clarity, I will skip to the best-known region: the coastal region. With well-known districts such as Stellenbosch, Swartland, Franschhoek and Constantia. All located close to Cape Town and therefore so popular. Because, after Table Mountain and the penguins, a visit to those wine countries is a must for every tourist.

But it is also a popular destination for locals. Not just for the wine. Therein lies the crux. Many wineries are in the most beautiful locations and feature bistros or restaurants. An ideal spot to have a party. Which is what South Africans do en masse with the standard bunch of balloons. They start doing so early in the morning. Doing a "brekkie" together with all the trimmings is popular. Lunch too, dinner is early. It's from wine till five, so to speak.

You get the beautiful view for free

What is there in that coastal region? What not, I would almost say. To reassure true connoisseurs right away: there are plenty of wineries, dedicated entirely to letting you taste their wine. For example, De Toren, Mullinieux and Thelema. Sometimes you have to pay for it, but you get the beautiful view for free. The classics are Simonsig, Spier and Delheim. Modern ones are Cavalli and Quoin Rock. The best views have Delaire, Rainbow's End and Uva Mira.

If you want entertainment, go to Boschendal or Babylonstoren. These are those wineries, where you can actually spend a whole day walking in the gardens, eating in different restaurants and you can also do some nice shopping. Then you have the wineries with top restaurants. Two birds with one stone. Fine-dining while tasting the wines. I mention Jordan Restaurant and Chefs warehouse at Beau Constantia, but there are more.

If you are tired of all those liflafs and want more freedom of movement, you are in luck. Suddenly, there are remarkably many wineries where you "just eat what's on the plate". Cosy in the garden, at a big table. The Table at De Meye and De Kraal at Joostenberg are hugely popular. Then we have the wineries, known for their picnics, for example Hartenberg and Cape Point Vineyards. In which, fortunately, you don't necessarily have to sit on the ground.

Children

What all these wineries have in common besides their beautiful locations and their affordable world-class wines is that they are geared towards children. They are welcomed everywhere with a smile (and a colouring sheet & a toy). Because they know, as long as those kiddies are enjoying themselves, the parents will order another glass. Warwick, Tokara Delicatessen and Blauwklippen take the crown in this respect.

If after all this, you don't want to go home at all, which I can well understand, then I have more good news. You can stay overnight at several wineries too! Wine tourism in South Africa, it's quite a biz, I started there.

You can read more columns by Bregje here.

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