Page 201 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

STELLENBOSCH  199

Brandy Cellar in the heart of
the Vlottenburg Valley just
southwest of Stellenbosch dates
back to 1845 when the Dutch
immigrant Jan van Ryn arrived
at the Cape. Today, well-known
local brands Van Ryn and Viceroy
are made here, and guided
tours introduce the visitor to
the intricate art of brandy
production. The traditional
copper potstills and maturation
cellar can be seen, and a tasting
is included in which brandy is
paired with handmade Belgian
chocolate and Brazilian coffee.
The 18th-century Schreuder House at the Village Museum, Stellenbosch A highlight is to watch the
skilled coopers make the barrels
Hendrik Bletterman, a wealthy shade of a red-flowering gum in the cooperage – the staves of
landdrost (magistrate). Parts tree (Corymbia ficifolia), and wood are sealed with bulrushes
of Grosvenor House, the most university students can be seen collected from the nearby
elegant of the four, date back revising on the lawns. Eerste River.
to 1782, but later addi tions
represent the Classicism of Environs
the 1800s. The house has The Jonkershoek Nature
furnishings from that era. Reserve lies in a val ley
Constructed in 19th-century 10 km (6 miles) southeast of
Victorian style, the interiors of Stellenbosch that is flanked by
Bergh House, occupied by fynbos, which in spring and
Deputy Sheriff of Stellenbosch summer includes tiny pink and
Olof Marthinus Bergh from white ericas, blushing bride
1837 to 1866, accurately reflect (Serruria florida) and the king
the comfortable life style of a protea. The waterfalls and
wealthy burgher of the 1850s. streams of the Eerste River Van Ryn’s Brandy Cellar
provide abundant water for
E Sasol Art Museum hikers, mountain bikers and O Jonkershoek Nature
52 Ryneveld St. Tel 021 808 3695. horse riders. For the less Reserve
Open 10am–4:30pm Mon, 9am–4pm energetic, there is a 12-km Jonkershoek Rd. Tel 021 866 1560.
Tue–Sat. Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. (7-mile) scenic drive into the Open 8am–6pm daily. Closed heavy
& 7 8 mountains. Baboons and rains (Jun–Aug). & Ó
Part of the Stellenbosch dassies may be sighted, and ∑ capenature.co.za
University, the interesting sometimes the elusive klip-  Van Ryn’s Brandy Cellar
exhibition at the Sasol Art springer. Of the many bird R310 from Stellenbosch, exit 33.
Museum focuses on species in the reserve, the Cape Tel 021 881 3875. Open 8am–5pm
anthropology, cultural history sugarbird and malachite and Mon–Fri, 9am–2pm Sat, 11am–4pm
and art. Of particular interest to orange-breasted sunbirds are Sun (Nov–Apr only but no cellar
many visitors are the pre historic most likely to be seen. tours). Closed public hols.
artifacts, reproduc tions of San The rich history of Van Ryn’s & 7 8 = ∑ vanryn.co.za
rock art and crafted utensils and
ritual objects from South, West
and Central Africa.
Y Stellenbosch University
Botanical Garden
Neethling St. Tel 021 808 3054.
Open Open 8am–5pm daily. - =
∑ sun.ac.za
These gardens were established
in the 1920s and have a fine
collection of ferns, orchids and
bonsai trees. The tropical and
succulent plants are housed in
four glasshouses. There is a
pleasant tearoom under the The sandstone mountains of the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

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