Explore the Cape Winelands during your stay
Fin Whale + Wine = Fabulous!
Explore the magic of South Africa’s wine route and sample some of the best!
The region around Fin Whale Beach House is famous for its historic wine estates with nearby Groot Constantia the oldest commercial wine farm in South Africa. The Cape Winelands tourism route is well worth exploring, stopping along the way to taste some of the amazing award-winning vintages that make the Rainbow Nation one of the world’s best wine producers.
We know that relaxing on the beach is fabulous, as is exploring our gorgeous little home town of Kommetjie, but there’s a lot to do away from Fin Whale Beach House in what is one of South Africa’s most diverse tourism destinations. Exploring what has to be one of the most breathtakingly scenic wine regions in the world is one of them… The Cape Winelands are filled to capacity with exceptional vineyards, restaurants, arts and crafts and, of course, some of the most lauded wines in the world!
HISTORY APLENTY
Cultivating grapes is an important part of the history of South Africa. When Jan van Riebeeck landed in what was to become Cape Town in April 1652 he needed a refuelling station where he could get fresh food and wine for the ships of the Dutch East India Company en-route to the spice islands of what is now Indonesia (the “East Indies” as they were known). Wine was the drink of choice thanks to water being pretty much non potable in 17th century Europe.
So one of the first tasks of the newly landed Dutch settlers was to obtain vines from Europe to establish vineyards. In 1679 Simon van der Stel was appointed governor of the Cape Dutch Colony. He is regarded as the father of the South African wine industry, and soon fell in love with the local terroir, developing a wine farm just behind Table Mountain – Groot Constant – which has been making wine since 1685.
Also in 1679, a fledgling town some 50km east of Cape Town was named for the new governor, and so Stellenbosch was born. The second town to be established in South Africa soon became a centre for viticulture, driven by Van der Stel’s love of botany and wine. It’s here that the Cape Winelands have their origin as wine farm after wine farm was established to grow and develop some of the world’s finest cultivars.
WINE TOURISM
Today, the winelands includes centres like Franschhoek, Paarl and Robertson and are one of South Africa’s biggest tourism destinations, attracting visitors from all over the world to come and discover the unique flavours of the country’s world-leading vintages. Globally recognised estates like Boschendal, Spier, Rust en Vrede and Klein Zalze have led the way for some equally fabulous modern estates producing a range of wonderful wines… Waterford, Delaire Graff Estate, Glen Carlou, Tokara… All have staked a claim on South Africa’s wine landscape.
These days, there’s even a tram service – The Wine Train – that offers hop-on, hop-off services through the estates of the Franschhoek Valley!
FOODIES HEAVEN
Along with great wine comes great food. Most of the vineyards have exceptional in-house restaurants serving amazing food paired with their finest vintages, making a day out in the Winelands an absolute must. From fresh seafood to local, organic farm-to-table produce, you won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer. There’s a strong traditional flavour too, with old South African favourites given a modern twist to make them relevant.
Both Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are also home to award-winning restaurants and some fantastic art galleries, antique shops and wonderful locally curated crafts and foods (some of the best olives and organic honeys money can buy!)
So take the time to spend a day or two exploring the wine region and don’t forget to buy a few bottles to enjoy around Fin Whale Beach House’s beautiful pool or out on the soft sands of Long Beach!