Wineries:
The Stellenbosch wine region is arguably the most famous in all of South Africa, and for good reason. A large number of the best wines come from this coastal area, which comprises approximately 15,500 hectares of vines (South Africa total approx. 102,000ha). Of these, about 40% are planted with red varieties and 60% with white varieties. The quality advantage has a lot to do with the influences of the Atlantic Ocean, which never gets warmer than 17 degrees even in summer, providing a pleasant cooling effect for the grapes. Annual rainfall is 600-800 mm and the average summer temperature is 18-19 degrees.
The Stellenbosch area is divided into further so-called wards. Names such as Simonsberg, Bottelary, Jonkershoek, Papegaaiberg, Devon Valley etc. designate these regions within Stellenbosch. In addition, several sub-regions have been created: Greater Simonsberg, Stellenbosch Mountain, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Hills and Bottelary Hills.
Stellenbosch has the largest number of private producers who process, bottle, and sell their grapes under their own name in their own cellars. The small town of Stellenbosch, founded in 1679, also hosts a university with approximately 15,000 student places.
