Directly north and northeast of Cape Town are the areas of Paarl, Franschhoek and Wellington, which can also be regarded as a centrepiece or engine of South African viticulture. Similar to neighbouring Stellenbosch, there are few areas with as big and renowned names as here.
The center is the small town of Paarl, which, despite its extra-long boulevards, still exudes a lot of small-town charm. In general, these three regions, barely an hour's drive from Cape Town, are very popular as destinations for excursions, because in addition to the first-class wines there are also a large number of recommendable restaurants that offer cuisine ranging from traditional to ultra-modern.
Viticulture in the valleys around Paarl has a long tradition. Initially, Dutch settlers planted fruit and vegetables in the fertile foothills, but by the late 17th century Huguenots began cultivating vines on the barren granite weathered soils. These soils, which change to shale as they head north, turned out to be ideal for top-quality viticulture. In Paarl and in Franschhoek, the "French corner," it is also somewhat warmer than in the coastal regions, and the vineyards are also more sheltered. This explains the particular diversity of grape varieties and wine styles.
Paarl is the home of the KWV, the fiercely controversial cooperative that not only produced wine itself, but also regulated viticulture in the Cape, especially in the 20th century - not always for the best. With "Nederburg" and "Golden Kaan", Paarl is also home to two large and very successful South African brands.
