South Africa’s wine industry may be relatively young compared to some European regions, but it’s rich in history and has rapidly gained recognition for its diversity and quality - especially in recent years.
The first vines were planted in Cape Town in 1655 and four years later, the first wine was made. It took a while for the notion of winemaking to catch on, but by the early 1900s, millions of vines were being cultivated, predominantly in Stellenbosch.
The heart of the industry, Stellenbosch has long been a leader in shaping the country’s winemaking legacy, producing high quality wines that are recognised around the world.
As viticulturalists began to understand more about winegrowing and winemaking in South Africa, they started to discover a series of micro climates, across this Cape, created by strong wind, mountains, and different soils. This meant that for what is a relatively small winegrowing area, a variety of different grapes could and do thrive in the country, from Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay to Cinsault, and of course Pinotage, South Africa’s native grape.
The popular regions of Stellenbosch, Franshhoek and Paarl are known for their warm Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The weather is perfect for the cultivation of a variety of grapes, specifically Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinotage, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Closer to Cape Town, in Constantia, the Cape Doctor wind blows through the vineyards, creating a cooler climate, where grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux blends thrive.
Walker Bay, in the Western Cape, is another of South Africa’s cooler wine regions. In recent years it has been coined the ‘Burgundy of South Africa’, making high-end Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Some of the most notable vineyards can be found in Elgin, Hermanus, and Hemel-en-Aarde.
Another cooler winegrowing region is Durbanville. With rolling hills and sea breeze, grapes retain freshness while ripening slowly in the warming sun.
In the Northern Cape, the Swartlands also have a hot and dry Mediterranean climate, with mild winters. The region's climate and soils create ideal conditions for growing a wide variety of grapes, including Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache, and Pinotage. In the driest areas, the vines are cultivated into bush vines. Their dense canopies offer excellent sun protection and they often need less water due to their small size, in fact, many of the vines are dry-framed with no irrigation. The Swartlands is recognised for making wines with concentrated and ripe fruit flavours.
Try Our Top South African Wine Picks
It’s safe to say that Albariño is rare in South Africa. There’s only 36 hectares of Albariño planted there – and only nine hectares in Stellenbosch. But Spier isn't afraid to do things differently. As one of South Africa’s oldest wineries, remaining family owned since it was established in 1692, Spier takes its experience and brings it to life in newer, less common grapes, like Albariño.
Produced from grapes grown on the southern slopes of the picturesque Bottelary Hills in Stellenbosch, this wine is zesty and mineral, with aromatic flavours of grapefruit, stone fruits and melon.
Diemersdal Wine Estate Grüner Veltliner, Durbanville
Thys Louw is the sixth generation of his family to head up winemaking on the Diemersdal Estate. Grüner Veltliner is rare in South Africa, but the cool climate of Durbanville provides the perfect conditions for this varietal, preserving its crisp acidity and aromatic character. The result is a distinctive expression with flavours of green apple, citrus and white pepper.
Produced by Oranjezicht Wine Estate, a family-run winery led by Simon and Jenny Lategan, whose passion for winemaking has seen the estate flourish since its inception. Working alongside winemaker Janine Schoeman, the team combines traditional winemaking practices with innovative techniques to highlight the unique terroir of the region. Their Viognier is a true expression of the grape, offering aromatic complexity and a beautifully textured profile.
Kanonkop 'Kadette' Pinotage, Stellenbosch
Kanonkop was named Outstanding Producer at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2019. The family-owned estate is considered to many as the equivalent of a South African First Growth. And when you taste what they've done with the country's star grape, Pinotage, you'll know why. Made in a soft, fruit-forward style, it spends 12 months in French oak barrels to give a silky-smooth texture.
Definition by Majestic Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch
Our Definition by Majestic range brings the world's greatest wine styles to Majestic customers. The French white grape Chenin Blanc has found a new home in South Africa, where it produces an enticingly bright, tropical-noted style of wine in the Western Cape. This version is made from certified heritage old vines, where low grape yields and sustainable methods result in a bottling with richness and structure. You could crack this open alongside a wide range of dishes, everything from truffles to scallops, roast pork to duck – even creamy cheeses.
Meerlust were the pioneers of Bordeaux varietals in the Cape, and were the first to produce their iconic, award-winning wine, ‘Rubicon’ in 1980. The 2020 Red is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. Every parcel of each variety was fermented separately before spending eight months in oak for added complexity. Expect ripe flavours of red berries, plum, and subtle spice; complemented by hints of oak and a touch of earthiness.
