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BY RON JAMES
A VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICAN WINE COUNTRY
ur Uber (an ideal way to get around Our arrival in February coincided with har-
in South Africa if you don’t drive vest - and some of the area’s warmest
British-style on the left) quickly left weather. From our first base, the charming
O behind freeways for two-lane high- Plumwood Inn, we would explore Fran-
ways through Cape Town’s wine country’s ver- schhoek and neighboring Stellenbosch, his-
dant valleys crowned by jagged granite peaks. toric small towns considered by many to be
More than 300 wineries thrive here in the South Africa’s wine and culinary capitals.
moderate Mediterranean climate cooled by Some of the country’s top 100 restaurants
breezes from the Atlantic and Indian oceans, delight gourmands here, and their presence
but they aren’t lined up, Napa Valley-like, on sparks inspired dining all around, as we dis-
the main roads, preserving an appealing farm- covered during our stay. For Valentine’s
country vibe. weekend, we moved to the boutique Steenberg
158 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE WINTER/SPRING 2024
