The Overberg district was named as such due to its location in relation to Cape Town. Overberg means “over the berg” as one has to travel over the Hottentot-Holland Mountains from Cape Town to reach it. Traditionally it was associated with apple growing and grape-juice production but recently is is being associated with the production of high-quality wine. Many famous wineries from other regions (such as Paarl and Franschhoek) have established vineyards here, especially in the Klein River ward near Stanford. The area is also known for its heavy wheat production and Fynbos scrubland surrounding it. White wine grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc enjoy the relatively cool climate here. Red wine grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Shiraz also perform well here.
