Explore the Best Wineries in South Africa

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South Africa Wine Country

The Cape of Good Wines

South Africa wine country is a place where dreams come true for travel enthusiasts and wine lovers alike. The mountains, forests, coasts, and desserts are a pleasure for the eyes, while the wines are a delight for the palate.

South Africa, renowned for its winemaking legacy, hosts an array of distinguished wine regions. Predominantly, the wine production is concentrated in the Western Cape, with regions like Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Swartland known for their excellent red and white wines. The cooler-climate Walker Bay region, meanwhile, is celebrated for its premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Breede Valley, Olifants, and Orange River regions also contribute significantly, often the hub of bulk wine production and distillation. From these diverse regions, South Africa offers a wide spectrum of wine styles, resonating its unique climate, soil, and winemaking heritage

Check out the list of the best wineries in South Africa

 

Diversified Grape Varieties of South Africa Wine Country

Grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinotage grow on 130,000 hectares. Colombard and Chenin Blanc in particular are the most white varieties. Tropical fruity wines with fresh acidity are typical of the Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Some wineries also produce sparkling and sparkling wines from the versatile grape. As a food companion, it cuts a fine figure with seafood, fish, sushi, white meat, and salads. Classic Cape Pinotage has aromas of roasted coffee notes, dark chocolate, and berries. Many wineries expand their pinotage in wooden barrels. Perfect food matches with Pinotage are meat dishes, especially with lamb or game he shows what he's made of. White grape varieties play a slightly overriding role with 55% of the acreage compared to red varieties with 45%.

The History of Viticulture

The history of viticulture in South African wine country began with Jan van Riebeeck in the middle of the 17th century. He had wine planted to make Cape Town an attractive port of call for the United East India Company. In terms of climate, viticulture in South Africa is favored by the Benguela current, a cool ocean current that comes from the Arctic - because it is too hot for the vines in this geographical zone. Today South African regions have established themselves for the production of internationally renowned wines and the country convinces with great variety and top qualities.

 

 

Wine Tourism in South Africa

Picture landscapes, endless white beaches, a mild, warm climate, and a strong European culture - all of this is South Africa. The South African wineries mostly have a professional range. Restaurants with pretty terraces in the middle of a magnificent garden await guests as well as many different types of tasting, which always offer something special for wine novices as well as old wine enthusiasts. South Africa has 30 different wine-growing regions, the majority of which are in the coastal region around Cape Town with Stellenbosch as the center. A smaller part is inland on the Breed River. Discover South African wine regions with us and taste exceptionally good wines.

Discover some of the best wine tasting tours in South Africa

South African Wine Regions

The Western Cape

The Western Cape is the largest and one of the most important South African wine regions. Western Cape in turn is divided into many sub-regions, some of which are very well known, such as Coastal Region, Klein Karoo, Cape South Coast, Olifants River, and Breede River Valley. Most of the region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate. Hot summers and damp, cool winters are the norms here. Pleasant sea breezes and cool nights have a beneficial effect on viticulture by protecting the grapes from heat stress during the summer months. The soils in the region with lime, clay, and sandstone offer the best conditions for the vines.

Coastal Region: Capetown and Its Surrounding Area

The greatest concentration of top wineries is located around the charming student town of Stellenbosch. Strong, tannic red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinotage are produced in the picturesque wine-growing region, which is shaped by the Cape and English traditions. Strong, fruity white wines also grow on the high slopes of the Simonsberg and the Helderberg. Erin tasting in the beautifully designed spacious property in a beautiful landscape is unique.

Coastal Region-South Africa Wine Country
Vineyards close to Stellenbosh, Coastal region, South Africa wine country

The Coastal Region is the longest established growing areas in South Africa wine country. These areas are close to the city of Cape Town and extend north along the Atlantic coast and east along the curve of False Bay. The most significant wine district of the Coastal Region is Stellenbosch, which is a major player in the international wine industry and is home to South Africa’s best-known wine estates. This famous wine town is internationally recognized as the birthplace of Pinotage grapes.

Find out about Wine Tastings and Tours in Coastal Region to enjoy your visit to the region.


Constantia

Constantia from Coastal Region is the oldest wine-growing region of South Africa wine country.

In 1652, the Dutch doctor Jan van Riebeeck planted the first vines near Cape Town. The oldest and best-known wine-growing region in South Africa is located here today. In the 18th century, it was famous for its sweet wines, today juicy sauvignon and chardonnays are produced in beautiful traditional Cape Dutch estates.

Swartland - High Quality Wines from Coastal Region

Just a few kilometers north of Cape Town, the capital of South Africa, there is the mysterious “black country”, also called Swartland in Afrikaans. Due to the region's location on the sun-drenched Cape and the mild coastal climate, high-quality wines grow in this region. Swartland is a large cultivation area that stretches from the Atlantic coast to deep inland and traditionally stands for very heavy, mature red wines. In recent years, innovative winegrowers have settled here who produce fine, not overloaded wines without artificial irrigation. The red wines are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut. The resourceful winemakers from Chenin Blanc, Semillon, and Palomino produce fresh, fruity white wines.

Klein Karoo

Klein Karoo is a semi-arid wine-producing region. This region lies on the eastern side of the Western Cape province of South Africa wine country, bordering Cape South Coast and Breede River Valley wine regions. The vineyards of the Klein Karoo wine region can reach up to 700m above sea level. These vineyards are located particularly high up in the areas of Montagu and Tradouw on the western border of the Klein Karoo.

Meringspoort-South Africa Wine Country
Meiringspoort Waterfall near De Rust, South Africa wine country

Klein Karoo is one of the most diverse South African wine regions. The region is well known for its extremes in terms of its soils and climate. Some of the highest mountain peaks of the Western Cape are located in the Klein Karoo. these mountains form part of the Cape Fold Mountains. Here, viticulture activities take place mainly in the valleys, kloofs, and ravines of this rugged landscape.  

Find out about Wine tasting & Tours in Klein Karoo to enjoy your visit to the region.


Cape South Coast - Wines Filled With the Essence of the Ocean

Cape South Coast wine region is part of the Western Cape Geographical Unit. It is located to the east of the Coastal region and surrounded by other important wine-producing regions such as Coastal RegionBreede River Valley, and Klein Karoo wine regions. 

Cape South Coast-South African Wine Region
Vineyards around Sir Lowry’s Pass, Cape South Coast, South Africa wine country

Cape South Coast is one of the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful wine regions. This wine region sits upon the place where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet at the southernmost tip of Africa. 

Learn more about wine tastings & tours in Cape South Coast wine region.


 

Olifants River - The Northernmost Wine Regions of Western Cape

This wine region stretches from north to south along the valley of the Olifants River. In this valley, the summer months are warmer than in other South African wine regions. This vine management technique ensures that the grapes are shaded by the leaves of the vine. This vine management technique combined with modern winemaking methods means that the Olifants River region provides quality and affordable wines. 

Olifants-South African Wine Region
The landscape of Olifants River Valley, South Africa wine country

Breede River Valley

The Breede River Wine Valley is the largest wine-producing region in the Western Cape Province in South Africa wine country.

 

In total, close to 40% of the total vines planted in South Africa wine country are in the Breede River Valley wine region. The region is home to a range of different wineries, including small boutique wineries and larger cooperative wineries. For wine lovers, the Breede River Valley is a true wine paradise.

Where breath-taking beauty, majestical mountains, and sweeping valleys meet South Africa’s best wines.

 

Breede River Valley-South African Wine Region
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South Africa wine country

Find out about Wine tasting & Tours in Breede River Valley to enjoy your visit to the region.


Frequently asked questions about South Africa wine country

What wine is South Africa known for?

The most unique wine that comes from South Africa is the red Pinotage which is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Classic Cape Pinotage has the aromas of roasted coffee notes, dark chocolate, and berries. Stellenbosch town in South Africa's Coastal Wine Region is internationally recognized as the birthplace of Pinotage grapes.

How many wine regions are in South Africa?

There are 6 main wine regions in South Africa, these include The Wester Cape, which is the largest and the most important of the South African wine regions, the picturesque Coastal Region, the diverse Klein Karoo region, the Cape South Coast which is one of the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful wine regions, the northernmost Olifants River wine region, and the true wine paradise the Breede River Valley. Altogether, there are more than 122,000 hectares of vineyards planted across all of the South African wine regions.

What is the most famous wine region in South Africa?

Stellenboch in Coastal Region is perhaps the most popular wine region in South Africa, it is home to some of the very top wineries in the country. Paarl which is also part of the Coastal Region is another significant and famous wine-growing area. This is largely due to the winemakers of the area and their great attention to detail in their methods which help to shape a style of wine unique not only in South Africa but in the whole world.

Does South Africa have good wine?

Yes, South Africa produces some exceptional wines. The Coastal Region is perhaps the most important region of South Africa for their production of premium wines. Among the best and also most planted grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc. Nevertheless, South Africa is also producing some first-class Syrah and Chardonnays.

What is the best white wine in South Africa?

Chenin Blanc is the country's most popular and most planted white grape, it is also one of the most renowned South African white wines among critics. Another highly rated white wine variety of South Africa is Chardonnay, especially from the cooler, coastal Walker Bay region.

Map of Wineries in South Africa

Discover the locations of wineries in South Africa

Wine regions in South Africa