The picturesque town of Paarl is a true pearl, the jewel of the Boland. Here you will find some of the best vineyards and wines South Africa has to offer. This not-so-little town anymore had its first "village" established at the foot of Paarl Rock by 1690. Paarl was originally known as Drakenstein, after the local church congregation, but has since become Paarl, meaning "pearl" in Dutch. Paarl is full of rich history and every vine, wine and piece of land has a story to tell. Come and taste for yourself.