Champagne Valley

The bustling farming town of Winterton forms the gateway to Champagne Valley. ‘The Valley’ draws those seeking relaxation - be it golfing, bird watching, falconry, photography or fly fishing. For the energetically vigorous, hiking, cycling, rock climbing, abseiling, quad biking, river rafting and horse riding beckon. Splendid waterfalls invigorate; clear mountain air and breathtaking vistas elate; wild flowers, lush farmlands and natural vegetation proliferate. The Valley is home to the worldfamous Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School and is known as the tourist centre of the Drakensberg.

Champagne Valley

The Drakensberg is an area of mild climate and fertile soils, and there are many resident families who have farmed in the area for generations. Villages such as Bergville and Winterton act as bustling centres for a thriving farming community. Maize, wheat and beef farming predominate; although dairy, potatoes, soya beans and sheep are also farmed. The rainfall figures for the Drakensberg are higher nearer the mountains and drop off from about 2 000mm at the foothills, to just 700mm only 25km away in Winterton. Being a summer rainfall area, maize yields of above 10 tons per hectare are not unusual. In the dry wintertime fire is a real risk that threatens every farmer, so firebreaks are burnt in June and July; the straight lines of burnt grass are a familiar sight in the rural areas.

Injasuti Valley