Wellington, a beautiful and quaint town located 45 minutes' drive from Cape Town, is nestled in a scenic part of the Boland at the foot of the Hawequas mountains.
This little town was once the gateway to the interior and experienced something of a boom during the diamond rush in Kimberley in the late 19th century, as travellers to the north would navigate through the narrow Bainskloof Pass.
Wellington is famous for its dried fruit, wine estates, olive tasting, fine brandy and leather factories.
The region is renowned for beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads, picturesque environment, gardens and wineries. The historic Bain’s Kloof Pass, with unsurpassed vistas, indigenous flora and fauna and crystal-clear streams and rivers, is the perfect spot for hikers and fly-fishermen. Closer to town, guided wine-walks and horse-trails through rich farmland and flowering fynbos offer the opportunity to see and experience Mother Nature at her finest.
The Berg River flows along the western border with two smaller streams, the Spruit and Kromme and the towering Hawequa Mountains stand guard on the eastern side. The Bainskloof Pass, built by the famous Scot, Andrew Geddes Bain, was the sole gateway to the north, before Du Toitskloof Pass was built.
Wellington is surrounded by fruit orchards, wine estates, buchu plantations and olive groves. In addition, its vine-cutting nurseries produce approximately 85% of the country’s vine root stock for the wine industry.
The region is the recipient of an impressive array of national and international accolades for their wines. The Wellington wine and brandy route boasts an array of fine producers.
Hiking trails, bird and wildlife viewing, Unimog expeditions, mountain biking, 4×4 routes and abseiling are just some of the outdoor activities to be enjoyed in the mountainous terrain and scenic surrounds.
WINE ESTATES
World-renowned wines are cultivated in the Cape Winelands, at the heart of which lies Wellington that boasts some of the best wine-producers in South Africa. Apart from award-winning wines, the region also boasts craft beer, brandy, whisky and gin producers.
Proclaimed ‘Top Wine Area’ at the exclusive 2010 South African Terroir Awards, Wellington wines and spirits continue to garner awards in prestigious competitions, both nationally and internationally.
- Andreas Wines
- Bosman Family Vineyards
- Diemersfontein Wines
- Doolhof Wine Estate
- Dunstone Wines
- Imbuko Wines
- Jacaranda Wines Guest farm
- Jacques Smit Wyne
- Linton Park Wines
- Malan de Versailles
- Upland Organic Wine & Brandy Estate
- Wellington Wines Bovlei
- Welvanpas Family Vineyards
DISTILLERIES
Artisanal Brandies are unique to the valley and a variety of other premium, handcrafted pot-still spirits, including Grappa, Absinthe, Vodka, Gin and Limoncello. The country’s first indigenous, internationally acclaimed single grain Whisky, is also produced in Wellington.
- James Sedgwick Distillery
- Upland Organic Wine & Brandy Estate
OLIVES & OIL
Taste the wonderful Extra Virgin Olive oils and other olive products, and learn more about the art of olive oil tasting, health benefits, and history of olive production in the region.
SA Olive is an association that represents the South African olive industry.
When you purchase a bottle of South African extra virgin olive oil, check to see if the label has the SA Olive seal that confirms the content is 100% locally produced. The year of the harvest will be prominently displayed, indicating the freshness of the oil and the labelling will be honest and transparent.
- Klein Olyvenbosch Garden Olive Oil
WHAT TO DO & SEE
- Bainskloof Pass
- Barthololeus Klip Farmhouse
- Bontebok Ridge
- Cape Alpaca
- Eco Ventures (Holiday and Pilgrimage Walks; Slack-pack hikes; Cycle Tours and Guided self-drive 4x4 tours)
- Wellington Golf Club
- Wellington Wine Walk
Enjoy hiking through the beautiful Wellington valley in the winelands of the Western Cape – 72 km from Cape Town, South Africa.
Local guides, fully accredited and well versed in the history and culture of the area, will accompany you and take you through indigenous fynbos, vineyards, fruit orchards and olive groves. Stop and taste the Wellington wines and olives produced in this fertile valley. Meet the wine-makers and learn more about their award-winning wines. Meet the local characters of the valley and hear their interesting stories. If you love the outdoors, wine-tasting and walking and scenic walking/hiking trails; this is an ideal walking holiday for you.
http://www.winewalk.co.za/
- Welvanpas Family Vineyards (mountain biking, trail running, hiking, coffee shop, wine shop)
- Glodina Towel Factory Shop
- Ou Kaya Padstal & Kwekery
- Wellington Dried Fruit, Nuts & Condiments
- Wellington is famous for its dried fruit, wine estates, olive tasting, fine brandy and leather factories.
- A must see is the Hildenbrand Wine and Olive Estate and 13 other wine estates to delight in
- Klein Olyvenbosch Garden Olive Oil to taste and buy
- Fantastic wine and brandy tastings
- Mountain biking, hiking and trail running options at Welvanpas Family Vineyards
- Eco Ventures (Holiday and Pilgrimage Walks; Slack-pack hikes; Cycle Tours and Guided self-drive 4x4 tours)
Established by French Hugenot's in 1688, the town was originally called Limietvalley (Limit Valley), and then later renamed Wagenmakersvallei (Wagon Makers' Valley) as many wagon makers settled and made their living here.
Eventually, in 1840, after the Duke of Wellington's defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, it was renamed Wellington by then Governor of the Cape Sir George Napier.
The Dutch Reformed Church in Wellington, which dates back to the 1840s, is a spectacular piece of architecture.The town is also an academic hub, with the Huguenot College and Cape Peninsula University of Technology among is list of education institutions.
