Choose your country and language:

Africa

  • Global
  • Angola
  • Botswana
  • DRC
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • shotLeft

Americas

  • USA
  • Argentina
  • Brazil

Asia Pacific

  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia

Europe

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • United Kingdom
Back
Western Cape

SSouth African wines are simply an infusion of the old winemaking methods combined with new ones to create modern bottled poetry for you. On your travels, if you decide to bring South African wine to your palate, home or establishment, and you want to learn more, here are some pointers…

In the 17th century the Dutch embarked on their spice route journey that landed them in the Cape in 1652. Championed by Jan van Riebeeck, they established a settlement to support their voyages. He planted vines in a false bid to ward off the sailors’ scurvy, and thus South African wine was born. Governor Simon van der Stel even purchased a larger allotment in Constantia than what was allowed just so he could plant more vines.

Thankfully, old methods seem to have stuck since Van Der Stel gave land to the French Huguenots near Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Many producers still use oak barrels to make exquisite styles of wines, with balanced oak and varietal flavour. This creates some ready-to-drink styles, and supposedly gives certain wines some acceptable ageing potential.

SSparkling wine is made using the traditional Méthode Champenoise for the most elegant styles, typically labelled Méthode Cap Classique (MCC). Some of these show real elegance of French finesse by comparison.

The need to create wines of exceptional quality has led to meticulous vineyard management practices and innovative winemaking. Talented winemakers have spread their wings to showcase their unique skills and therefore the market is full of great wines at various price points, which is good news for locals and international tourists.

In Winemag earlier this year, Mike Ratcliffe of Warwick Estate noted the rise and drive of the “small guys” or “mavericks” in the wine industry who are making iconic wines so as not to be left lagging behind. The Sadie Family' T Voetpad 2015 and Rust En Vrede Syrah 2014 made the Wine Spectator’s 2017 Top 100 list and it’s unlikely that this will be the last time local wines are awarded internationally.

IIn recent years the drought has forced producers to make inroads into dry farming, irrigation and old vine preservation. Pulling focus towards old vines, Rosa Kruger of Old Vine Project believes older vines in South Africa bring intensity and freshness to wines. This movement wants to preserve vines older than 35 years by creating an awareness of the heritage of old vines.

If you want to explore the winelands and discover more wines, a good starting point is Platter’s Wine Guide, which not only lists ratings and descriptions for thousands of wines, but farms too. Good-to-visit farms include Steenberg Vineyards, Mullineux and Leeu, Beau Constantia, Vergelegen, Glen Carlou, Delaire Graff, Babylonstoren, DeGrendel, Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons, Morgenster, Creation Wines, Spier, and Cape Point Vineyards.  

To sample or buy wines, you can visit wine shops and wine bars around Cape Town such as the Publik Wine Bar, Wine Concepts, Open Wine, Proof Bar and Caroline's Fine Wine Cellar. Here, you’ll make stellar discoveries of scarce and unique wines.

AAbout the author

Stanley Zimbizi is Zimbabwean with, a newly found passion in wine. Stanley lives in Cape Town where he has been socialised into experiential wine tourism. After having completed a Human Resources Degree in 2009 at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe, Stanley moved to Cape Town where he has worked in the hospitality industry for the past five years. He is a current holder of the Wines and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 in Wines qualification. He enjoys travelling through the wine glass while having a fat chat about the wine. If not the above, a little bit of music can soothe this man’s soul.

Related articles

Active adventure

Trail running in South Africa: off the beaten track… into Eden

Active adventure
Trail running in South Africa: off the beaten track… into Eden
South Africa has amazing trail-running terrain for visiting athletes, including mountains, forests, bushveld, beaches, savannahs and deserts – as well as some competitive runs to consider.
Active adventure

The Tsitsikamma Woodcutters’ Journey: explore a beautiful indigenous forest

Active adventure
The Tsitsikamma Woodcutters’ Journey: explore a beautiful indigenous forest
The Tsitsikamma Woodcutters’ Journey on the Garden Route in Western Cape takes you through pristine indigenous forests in one of South Africa’s most beautiful national parks.
Active adventure

The Overberg on horseback: exploring Western Cape from the saddle

Active adventure
The Overberg on horseback: exploring Western Cape from the saddle
South Africa’s Overberg region, where mountains, fynbos and strandveld descend spectacularly to the sea on the Whale Coast of Western Cape province, is a great spot to explore on horseback.
Wildlife safari

The Klein Karoo, Western Cape: beneath the arid exterior, hidden jewels, aeons old

Wildlife safari
The Klein Karoo, Western Cape: beneath the arid exterior, hidden jewels, aeons old
The Klein Karoo in Western Cape might be dry, but it offers unique plants, enthralling nature reserves, magnificent mountain vistas, its own wine route, ostrich farms and the world-famous Cango Caves.
Sun-soaked coasts

The Hunter-Gatherer Trail along the Garden Route: hike through the landscape of an ancient human heritage

Sun-soaked coasts
The Hunter-Gatherer Trail along the Garden Route: hike through the landscape of an ancient human heritage
Hike the Hunter-Gatherer Trail in Western Cape along the Garden Route to experience the landscape as humans did for tens of thousands of years, and you’ll know you’re in the Cradle of Human Culture.
Active adventure

The Freedom Trail: coast to coast on a mountain bike

Active adventure
The Freedom Trail: coast to coast on a mountain bike
The Freedom Trail is an exhilarating mountain-bike route from East Coast to West Coast in South Africa that runs through some of the most spectacular natural beauty the country has to offer.
Active adventure

Discover the Breede River: endless attractions along Western Cape’s big, lazy watercourse

Active adventure
Discover the Breede River: endless attractions along Western Cape’s big, lazy watercourse
The Breede River in Western Cape has attractions for visitors along its length, from fruit and wine farms and historic towns to watery pursuits like river rafting, angling and whale watching.
Active adventure

Surfing in South Africa: hot weather; cool waves

Active adventure
Surfing in South Africa: hot weather; cool waves
South Africa is a surfer’s paradise, and whether you’re a novice or an old pro, the different conditions of the West Coast, Garden Route, Wild Coast and KwaZulu-Natal offers something for everyone.

South Africa on social media

Copyright © 2023 South African Tourism
|Terms and conditions|Disclaimer|Privacy policy