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De Doorns
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De Doorns
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SOUTH AFRICA
AFRICA
GUIDES
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 Named after a local thorn bush, De Doorns is the centre of the Hex River Valley, which produces most of the country's export grapes. The legend of The Witch (heks) of the Hex River Valley has it that, long ago, the admirer who captured the heart of beautiful Eliza Meiring met a tragic death. When her longing for him became unbearable, she leapt to her death. The Witch still mourns her longlost love, especially on moonlit nights. The Valley is also the traditional home of the South African Table Grape industry, and has been producing and exporting grapes for a century. The farms grow almost exclusively table grapes, and export approximately 17 million cartons of grapes overseas annually. The harvesting season runs from early January until mid April. The Hex River Mountains, which run along the entire length to the valley, are dominated by the Matroosberg Peak, or "Sailor Mountain" named after the shepherd, Klaas Matroos, who lived here. Some people believe the peak to be named after a rock resembling a sailor or "matroos" standing on the bow of a ship, which can be seen from a particular angle in the Valley.
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