The City of Cape Town’s economic growth directorate has launched a comprehensive guide, dubbed Wineland Wonders, which makes Cape Town’s celebrated wine routes accessible at the touch of a button.
James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, officially launched this guide showcasing the best of the region’s renowned wine estates and hidden gems.
Vos said this initiative is part of his drive to highlight wine experiences in and around the city.
“I’ve always believed that our world-class wines represent a fantastic value proposition – not only for tourists but also for economic growth. That’s why I encouraged the department's Tourism and Place Marketing Branch to develop this guide. It’s about highlighting Cape Town’s rich wine culture and helping people explore our stunning wine farms.”
Wine tourism is one of the Western Cape’s biggest drawcards, he added.
“In 2022, wine tourism contributed a staggering R3.05 billion (€159 million) to South Africa's economy – significantly more than the R2.4 billion (€125 million) recorded pre-Covid. According to an impact study by the South African Wine Industry Information and Systems, the wine industry in our province created over 245 000 jobs that year with 3.36 jobs generated for every R1 million (€52 300) capital investment. This is more than double the national average of 1.18 jobs.
“Our wines are not only award-winning but also vital for job creation and economic development. This guide will make it easier for locals and visitors alike to explore new farms or revisit old favourites.”
The guide offers detailed information on wine regions and an interactive WhatsApp channel. It features around 40 wine farms across three iconic routes: Constantia in Cape Town’s southern suburbs, Helderberg (a sub-route of the Stellenbosch Wine Route) and the Durbanville Wine Valley.
“With just a few taps, people can dive into these wine routes using Google Maps or engage with the interactive WhatsApp channel. They’ll find everything from wine varietals to restaurant offerings and scenic venues,” said Vos.
