South Africa’s first wine route celebrates 50 years of innovation, leadership and epic wineland experiences in 2020. To mark the occasion, here are 5 amusing facts about Stellenbosch Wine Routes that might surprise you.
1. The logo was born through a competition
A competition to find a logo for the Stellenbosch Wine Routes in the 1980s produced an unusual result. Many entries were received, including six from Germany. The winner was announced in 1981 on the 10th birthday of Stellenbosch Wine Route, and the logo was adopted and trademarked. The winner, Stan Black, was from outside the region and was acting head of the arts department at the Cape Technikon.
2. The office telephone number never changed
The Stellenbosch Wine Routes still has its original phone number. In the 1980s, the number was 4310 at its first office at 33 Plein Street. Today, it is 021 886 4310.
3. Stellenbosch hosted the very first wine festival in SA
The first wine festival in South Africa was hosted in the Stellenbosch Town Hall in 1973 in collaboration with the Stellenbosch Fynproewersgilde.
4. Key players in developing the “Wine of Origin” system
Founding members of the wine route were instrumental in the establishment of the Wine of Origin system.
5. First road signs for wine farms in South Africa
Frans Malan and his founder colleagues of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes challenged the road authorities and in the late 1970s the first road signage for wine farms was approved.
