The Helderberg Wine Route borders the Stellenbosch Wine Route en includes the town of Somerset West and the seaside towns Strand and Gordon’s Bay.

Somerset West is situated in the Hottentots Holland area, about a 30-minute drive from Cape Town along the N2 (national road).

Close to the Stellenbosch Wine Region, this residential centre has a delightful setting and many of Somerset Wests residents commute to Cape Town daily.

Somerset West was named after an English governor of the Cape Colony during the 1800s, Lord Charles Henry Somerset, with the suffix ‘West’ being added to differentiate it from Somerset East, another South African town in the Eastern Cape Province.

Somerset West lies within easy reach of several beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean and lying within False Bay.

The nearest, the beach at Strand, approximately 6 km from the centre of the town, is popular with families and holidaymakers.

Somerset West is home to the wine farm, Vergelegen, an impressive 18th century farmhouse built in Cape Dutch style.

The farm is now owned by a subsidiary of the large mining company Anglo American, who have restored the farmhouse to its original magnificence and continue to produce some of South Africa’s best wines there.

A popular Christmas tradition that has been held annually for the past 20 years at Vergelegen is “Carols By Candlelight”.

Visitors are invited to bring a picnic basket, blanket and torch and celebrate the joy of Christmas with family and friends on the sprawling lawns of this magnificent wine farm.

Another Christmas tradition, Somerset West is known for its annual display of Christmas lights along the Main Road.

Every year people come from all over the country to drive slowly down the Main Road to see the brilliant display of glimmering lights, bells, angels, reindeer, candles and a lot more!

The Helderberg Lights Festival (also known as the Strawberry Festival) traditionally complements these lights when the Main Road is closed off in the evening, and floats, parades and flea market stalls are lined up under the lights.

A wonderful outing for the whole family!

The Wines of the Helderberg Wine Region.

The Helderberg region has always been noted for superb red and port wines, but in recent times has also acquired a reputation for producing stunning white wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
The Helderberg Wine Route offers its splendor all year round.

In addition to the many fine wines available, a visit to the region may be complemented by a meal in one of the excellent restaurants, a hike or horse-ride in the mountains, a swim at one of the nearby beaches, or a visit to shops and craft market.

Things to do in the Helderberg Wine Region.

The Helderberg is 1 hour from Cape Town.

The area offers a wide range of culinary delights and the wine offering is mouth-watering to say the least.

For visitors to the area there are beautiful, sandy beaches at Strand and Gordon’s Bay.

Festivals and Events in the Helderberg Wine Route.

There are many things to experience in the area.

Some festivals and events in the area include the following to name but a few.

• Cape Getaway Show
• Taste the Helderberg Festival
• Festival of Lights
• Carols by Candlelight

We look forward to host you in the Helderberg Wine Region in the near future.