Stellenbosch is easily the best-known town in South Africa. For visitors to this not-to-be-missed destination, it certainly has it all: history, culture, natural beauty, education, sport and of course, exceptional wines.
Founded in 1679, Stellenbosch is affectionately known as the ‘Eikestad’ in Afrikaans, which means ‘village of oaks’ – the early settlers in this fertile region were encouraged to plant oak trees, some of which are now national monuments.
The town and surrounding farms feature some of the finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture in the country, and Dorp Street has one of the longest rows of surviving heritage buildings of any major town in Southern Africa.
The Stellenbosch area boasts a winemaking tradition that stretches back to the mid-17th century, and around 18% of all hectares under vines in South Africa is in the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin region. The town is the business hub of the South African wine industry, and Stellenbosch University is the only university in the country which offers a degree in viticulture. The Elsenburg School of Agriculture is also near Stellenbosch.
Read everything you need to know about our beautiful town – where to stay, where to eat, and what to do – here.