Chas Everitt International - Property in Stellenbosch

Chas Everitt International – Offers property such as houses, apartments, smallholdings, wine farms and rental units in Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands

Stellenbosch, Jewel of South Africa’s Cape Winelands and Wine Route
 
Stellenbosch - the second oldest town in South Africa - is a village of graceful beauty and culture that's representative of the best South African tradition has to offer. Stellenbosch property offers the best residential properties, smallholdings, wine farms, apartments and flats, guest farms, cottages and wine farms in the Cape Winelands and Western Cape region.

Stellenbosch was founded by Simon van der Stel in 1679, and has developed through the centuries to become the most important wine town and one of the most sought-after towns, tourist destinations and property investment options in South Africa.

In addition to the world renowned wine industry, Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands is known for its historical buildings, the Stellenbosch University (Maties) and a rich and diverse cultural life. The town is affectionately known as Eikestad, meaning “town of oaks”, and nestles between mountains, orchards, and vineyards, with the False Bay seashore, the Cape Town International Airport, five major golf courses, the city of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula a stone's throw away
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As the viticulture heartland of Southern Africa, Stellenbosch has the oldest wine route in the country. Established in 1971, the Stellenbosch Wine Route is the country's most famous, providing access to most of the more than 100 cellars in the Cape Winelands area. Most wine farms offer cellar tours, wine sales, restaurants and walking trails.

The Stellenbosch district is home to an established farming community, mostly focused on the wine and fruit industry, with value added lifestyle living options available. In many instances guest facilities exist on farms where the visitor can spend time amongst the vineyards and mountains, enjoy activities such as horse riding, walking, biking and swimming in a rural, relaxed and peaceful setting
Stellenbosch is a town that embraces a world renowned academic and business community. These facilities include the University of Stellenbosch, Boland College, schools such as Paul Roos Gimnasium, Stellenbosch High School, Bloemhof High School, Rhenish Girls High, Eikestad Primary School, Rhenish Primary School, Stellenbosch Primary School. On the business front Stellenbosch houses the headquarters of prominent business enterprises such as Rembrandt, Medi Clinic, Distell, and many more. Excellent private schools with boarding facilities are also close by

Of the towns founded in the Cape during the period of control by the Dutch East India Company (VOC), Stellenbosch is the best preserved.

This becomes apparent when walking along Dorp Street, a unique declared national monument, which has the longest row of surviving old buildings in South Africa. This street is a gracious blend of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture. Many of these historic buildings currently house art galleries, restaurants, shops, guest houses and hotels. Talented artists and craftsmen find inspiration in this stimulating, yet serene environment.

Stellenbosch offers some of the best restaurants, guest houses and hotels in the country. Restaurants offer local, national and international cuisine giving the town a true international culinary character.

Locals and visitors to the town have the opportunity to linger around and savour the atmosphere of the oak-lined streets, open-air restaurants and cosy coffee shops, lining the shady streets and secluded lanes, from where they can become part of the everyday activities of the bustling, yet peaceful village.

Guest farms and smallholdings offer a range of facilities and activities such as paddocks and stables, tennis courts, swimming pools, hiking trails, conference facilities and lifestyle activities. From a property investment perspective Guest and Wine farms and smallholdings offer a lucrative income producing opportunity where a buyer can live whilst enjoying the income of the venture. Many of these smallholdings are located near or on rivers or springs, resulting in abundant birdlife and lush vegetation.
 

The University of Stellenbosch - the second oldest one in South Africa and also known as Maties - is an integral part of the town's history and atmosphere. Having provided leaders to the South African community for many decades, the US is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the town, while at the same time preparing the generations of tomorrow.

The University of Stellenbosch has produced many of the country's great sporting heroes, including more than 155 rugby Springboks. The town offers almost every outdoor activity you could desire - from world-class sports facilities to popular mountain bike routs, hiking trails and easy access to at least six of the best golf courses.

Coetzenburg, the landmark university sports grounds on the banks of the Eerste River, has nurtured some of South Africa's top athletes and sports stars, as well as being the scenic venue for events and music festivals.

Annual events on the calendar are athletics (February and March), Maties Rag (February), Woordfees (March) Stellenbosch Festival (September and October), Stellenbosch Wine Festival (August / September) and the Simon van der Stel Festival (October), when thousands of visitors join the locals - some of them year after year - to enjoy the best the town has to offer.

The Stellenbosch area offers superb scenic views over mountains, vineyards and orchards, in many places covered with wild flowers in the spring. Indigenous vegetation is of the most beautiful in the country, with many a winding road leading the visitor past peaceful settings where graceful homesteads line the foothills of the mountains and where the tranquility of dams and streams make any visit to the area a special experience.

The surrounding mountain ranges reach heights of more than 1600 metres in some areas, forming a spectacular natural backdrop to the town. These include the Simonsberg, Groot Drakenstein-, Jonkershoek- and Stellenboschberge (mountains).

Several hiking trails within the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve tempt the hiker. These range from an easy 5.3 km scenic walk to the challenging 17.1 km Panorama Trail and the 18 km Swartboskloof Trail. Also worth a visit is Granny's Forest at Helderberg Farm for easy walking, where various other trails and an overnight hut is also available. The full-day Vineyard Hiking Trail is best enjoyed in autumn or spring; its 24 km distance starts on the slopes of the Papegaaiberg above the Oude Libertas Centre and meanders through the forest plantations, vineyards, olive groves and coastal renosterveld.

For a wider appreciation of the area, enjoy spectacular views whilst traversing the four passes which make up the fruit route. Starting with the Helshoogte Pass to the Berg River Valley, over the Franschhoek Pass to the upper Riviersonderend Valley, then over the Viljoenspass to Elgin and finally back to Stellenbosch down the Sir Lowry's Pass.

Stellenbosch offers some of the best national and international art collections, many lovely theatres and music venues, among them the oldest music school in South Africa, the University's Conservatoire. The town is also a central visiting point on the Western Cape Arts and Craft Route.

Stellenbosch promises a unique town experience with the proud accolade that a large group of visitors come back year after year, with many of them buying houses and apartments in the town. The decision to buy property in Stellenbosch is a lifestyle choice resulting in living near just about everything in the Cape Winelands, and within easy reach of the best the Western Cape has to offer.