Stellenbosch

After crossing the Eerste Rivier at Kompanje's Drift to inspect a cattle post in November 1679, Simon van der Stel fortuitously came upon a particuarly lush tract of land and immediately realised its agricultural potential. He set up camp, and within four years this energetic pioneer had established the second European town in the Cape. Today, beautiful Cape-Dutch homesteads and gracious oak trees provide the backdrop for life in the vibrant university town of Stellenbosch, while a strong sense of culture and an overt respect for the environment are its soal. It's a town where people meet in bustling pavement cafes, browse in interesting galleries and bookshops or simply soak up the surrounding natural beauty. Importantly, it is also the heart of one of the most successful wine-growing regions of the world, and wine is it's lifeblood.