Considered the hub of the South African wine industry, it boasts the greatest concentration of wineries of any region in the Cape.
Vineyards straddle valley floors and stretch up mountain slopes.
The Stellenbosch WO boundaries were drawn up along political lines. Certain areas within the region are now beginning to show a discernable unique style and an increasing number have already been demarcated into smaller units under the ward system. Amongst other factors, this takes topography and mesoclimate into account. In the Stellenbosch WO, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Devon Valley and Bottelary are amongst the first declared wards to take on real significance. The Enological and Viticultural Research Station has its headquarters here.