This region, 25 mi/40 km east of Cape Town, is home to a large number of award-winning estates. Many visitors opt to get to the area via the Spier Vintage Train, though that choice limits you to seeing the Spier Estate only. Among the finer wineries in the area are Alto, Boschendal, Hartenberg, Kanonkop, Lanzerac, Middelvlei, Meerlust, Neethlingshof, Rust en Vrede and Simonsig. The Spier Estate wines can't match those of the better vineyards, but the facility has plenty of events that cater to visitors and offers tastings of wines made by other Stellenbosch vineyards. Also set on the Spier Estate is Moyo, a magical outdoor restaurant where diners take part in an African miniversion of the Arabian Nights fantasy, enjoying meals from one of the many colorful bedouin tents and cushioned gazebos. The menu, a sumptuous all-you-can-eat buffet, has a distinct African flavor. Dishes such as Senegalese chicken yassa and Zulu cabbage combine spices, textures and flavors from all over the continent. The student town of Stellenbosch, in the heart of the winelands and founded by Governor Simon Van Der Stel in 1697, is the second-oldest settlement in South Africa. It is well worth visiting for the fine Cape Dutch architecture and museums along historic Dorp and Church streets. Highway R310 is the most direct route by car. Phone 021-886-1133 for more information. http://www.wineroute.co.za or, for information on Moyo, http://www.moyo.co.za/content.asp?subID=50.
