South African Fine Wine

South Africa’s wine industry can trace its roots back to the 1650s, when the country’s first vineyards were planted by Dutch settlers. The 20th century saw a heavy focus on quantity over quality, driven by state-owned co-operatives, with the wines largely ignored in export markets during the Apartheid era. Since the 1990s, however, the South African wine scene has undergone a dramatic transformation.

Browse all South African Wine

South Africa: Thrilling diversity & world-beating quality

With the re-entry to global markets, a new generation of winemakers has emerged, focusing on terroir expression, sustainable farming and absolute quality. Today, the country’s wineries are home to a thrilling diversity, dynamism and sense of renewal. Stellenbosch remains the flagship region, producing ageworthy Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blends, and refined Chenin Blanc. On a smaller scale, Swartland is arguably the most exciting area, a creative hotbed championed by smaller, dynamic producers crafting expressive Syrah, Grenache and Chenin Blanc, often sourced from older, dry-farmed bush vines. Elsewhere, cooler climate regions such as the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, with its cool maritime climate, excels in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, offering Burgundy-like finesse.

Popular South African wine styles and grape varieties

For many years, Cabernet Sauvignon has been South Africa’s flagship grape. The variety is widely planted here, thriving in the Mediterranean climate, and is often lent further interest by judicious blending with other Bordeaux varietals. That, and greater winemaking skill and sensitivity since the turn of the millennium has given rise to some truly world-class wines. While Cabernet remains the dominant force, other red varieties also thrive, with Syrah, Cabernet Franc and the Cape’s signature variety Pinotage all capable of yielding fine wines. In particular, Shiraz – or Syrah – has in recent times built up an enviable reputation for delivering wines of real style and substance right across the Cape. At the heart of this has been the dynamic Swartland region, where producers such as Sadie, Mullineux and Boekenhoutsloof have carved out an international reputation for wines of real depth and poise. In terms of white wines, Chenin Blanc, once undervalued, has become something of a national calling card, showcasing versatility from lean and minerally to rich and textured. From Stellenbosch to Swartland, South Africa is the only region that excels with the variety to an extent that rivals its native Loire Valley, and the variety is without doubt the Cape’s leading white grape – despite a scattering of some more than serviceable Sauvignon Blancs. And don’t overlook Chardonnay (and Pinot Noir) too, which has found a haven in the cooler climate of Hemel-en-Aarde, in particular.

Shop South African wine by type

South African Wine FAQs

What is Pinotage, and why is it so associated with South Africa?

Pinotage is South Africa’s very own grape variety, yielding a red wine that is rarely, if ever, found elsewhere. It materialised as a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, and is highly characteristic, delivering bold, smoky, earthy flavours that, if vinified carelessly, can be rather rustic. For that reason, the variety was largely shunned by international markets until recently, when the variety’s greatest champion – the acclaimed Kanonkop estate – once more put it on a pedestal via more refined renderings that highlight the elegant Pinot Noir element. The Cape’s signature, Pinotage is a truly individual wine.

Why is Stellenbosch so integral to the South African wine scene?

Stellenbosch is South Africa’s answer to Napa Valley. Beyond its plethora of wineries, nearly all of which are within striking distance of Cape Town and make for a fantastic visitor experience, it is the heartland of the Cape wine scene, home to many of the country’s most renowned producers, spanning both historic names and new arrivals. The latter have added a dynamism to the underlying wine heritage of the Cape, with the country as a whole benefitting from their ambition and innovation. This has led to a far greater number of wine styles and varieties than the region – and country – was long known for. So while Cabernet Sauvignon remains Stellenbosch’s flagship grape – often lent further interest by judicious blending with other Bordeaux varietals – the Mediterranean climate here provides the perfect balance for Syrah, Chenin and other varieties to thrive.

South African Wine Producers

Stellenbosch is the heartland of South African wine, a power base that is home to many of the country’s most renowned producers. Kanonkop, Boekenhoutskloof, Meerlust, Mullineux, Raats Family Wines… the list spans both historic names and new arrivals, with the latter having added a dynamism to the underlying heritage of the Cape’s longstanding wine scene. The effect has been transformative, with the country as a whole benefitting from the ambition and innovation of Stellenbosch’s top names, many of whom now excel in a far greater number of wine styles and varieties than the region was long known for. Some have also expanded to other regions, most notably Swartland, which has proven a hugely dynamic hotbed of creativity in recent years. Driven by the pioneering Sadie Family Wines, the region has harnessed old vines, granite soils and minimal intervention to realise wines with real energy and character, with names such as Rall Wines, David & Nadia and Mullineux & Leeu to the fore.

South African Wine Producers

South African Fine Wine

South Africa: Thrilling diversity & world-beating quality

Popular South African wine styles and grape varieties

Shop South African wine by type

South African Wine FAQs

What is Pinotage, and why is it so associated with South Africa?

Why is Stellenbosch so integral to the South African wine scene?

South African Wine Producers

South African producers A-Z

A

B

C

D

F

G

H

K

L

M

N

R

S

T

V

W