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The Worcester district is a large wine-producing area within the Breede River Valley region in the Western Cape of South Africa. The historic town of Worcester, 74 miles (120km) north of Cape Town, provides its hub. German settlers planted the first vines here in the 1800s. One of the district's main geographical features is its sheltered climate, created by the mountains which encircle the Breede River Valley region. At the same time, diurnal temperature variation is quite marked here when compared with many other areas of the Cape. This climatic variation, along with an array of soil types, ensures that a wide range of wine styles is produced, from varieties such as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Hanepoot.
Worcester is also an important source of table grapes, as well as those used in the region's huge distillation plants for the production of brandy and other spirits. The area is home to a number of large co-operative wineries.
The wine-producing wards within the Worcester district are Aan-de-Doorns, Hex River Valley, Nuy and Scherpenheuvel.
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