Cape Town

History is always skewed by some political agenda - but it is always interesting (to me anyhow). As far as I know, the animals were always first. If Genesis holds any sway in your book you'll know this to be true.
Nobody knows which people populated the plains of Cape before the Hottentots, a gentle nomadic people who recorded their hunting exploits with spectacular "graffiti" on rocks and in caves all over the southern African region. We do know that Vasco da Gama was second on the list as evidenced by the cross he had planted at the Cape of Good Hope en-route from Portugal to the East.
Then came the Dutch who established a station to replenish the ships of the Dutch East India Company with fresh supplies. Fuelled by the upheaval of Religious dissent in Europe, the newly established Dutch station was peopled by refugees from France and Germany who fled via Holland. And that's how my huguenot family landed up in Africa - protestant refugees from France. And with the huguenots came the art of wine-making to Fairest Cape.
Together with a motley crew of Europeans, the Dutch brought the Malay people who added their own special flavour that is the Cape. Soon after the Dutch came the English who established a thriving colony that lasted until the Republic was born in the 60's.

The wines of the Cape have graced the tables of European aristocracy since the earliest times. I'm no historian, but I do remember reading that Napoleon had a penchant for the first so-called new-world wines right up until his death. Well-informed Europeans have been lapping it up ever since. Although I do recall there was a time when it was very difficult to export to Europe during the Apartheid era, and as a result, the quality of our wines took a bit of a dive. But that's all changed. I'm particularly intrigued, as an advertising man, by the spectacular introduction of a little-known South African winery, Stormhoek, into international markets by Hugh McLeod from Alpine TX, you can read the Stormhoek blog in the links below.
I loved his whole approach, and have become an avid fan of Stormhoek. But there are hundreds of other beautiful wines and vineyards to choose from. A particular favourite of mine is Spier Estate on the way to Stellenbosch, right in the heart of wine country. It's a lovely drive up north and about an hour and a half from the City Bowl.
One can stay overnight on the Estate in one of several beautiful rooms and villas laid out in a village with an architectural homage to the style of the Cape - an eclectic mix of Georgian townhouse and Cape Dutch is how I would describe the derivative.
Further north lies the magnificent Franschhoek valley, the terroir of the Huguenot community that fled France after the religious war waged between the Protestants and Catholics.
The rich tradition of french wine-making was exquisitely suited to the unique climate of the Western Cape region, and an industry was born. Today Franschhoek celebrates it "frenchness" with award-winning restaurants and cafés that bring salivating gourmands in their droves. The village even celebrates Bastille Day! As a du Plessis, I have every reason to embrace my very very distant French roots in this unique part of Africa. Vive la France! Vive l'Afrique du Sud!