The wines from Stellenbosch are arguably the best South African wines. Though South Africa is a New World wine region, it offers some really top class wines that are rapidly gaining international acclaim. Stellenbosch was traditionally a white wine producing region, but in recent times it is reinventing itself by producing quality red wines.

Stellenbosch has a winemaking history of around 300 years, with the first wine grapes planted way back in 1680s. The wine industry was deeply affected in the late 19th and early 20th century due to phylloxera, politics,wars and many such reasons. It was revived again in 1940s and by 1970 the winemakers were ready to develop wine tourism in the region.The result was the very popular Stellenbosch Wine Route, established in 1971. Today the route has been expanded to 5 sub-routes and is known as Stellenbosch American Express Wine Routes.

The Mediterranean climate of the region, which is typically hot and dry summers with cool and sometimes rainy winters, is favorable for the grapes. Stellenbosch had appeared on the world wine map due to its white wine grapes, Sauvignon Blanc to be specific. In the year 2008, about 37% of Stellenbosch grapes were white wine among which Sauvignon Blanc had 43% cultivation.

Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Semillon are some of the other popular white grape varieties. But recently Stellenbosch is also offering some fine red wines with Cabernet Sauvignon ruling the roost. Another notable red grape variety is Pinotage which is a South African cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Apart from these Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are also grown widely. Rustenberg, Rust en Vrede, Waterford Estate, De Trafford Winery are some of the oldest and best wineries of the region.

Stellenbosch is also famous for the University of Stellenbosch which is a leading centre for wine education. The tourism of Stellenbosch is very well developed. The Stellenbosch American Express Wine Routes offers some really good services for the tourists like wine tours and tasting, cellar tours, picnic facilities, restaurants etc.