South African Wine Regions

This is one of the most exciting, exhilarating wine nations of the moment. It has spent the last decade bouncing back resiliently from the apartheid regime that almost crippled its wine industry, and is now poised to become a major player in the British wine market, currently ranking eight worldwide for wine production volume. What South Africa seems to be doing really well is not just providing reasonable wines around the £5 mark, it’s increasingly giving us some fabulous higher value wines too.

In grape terms, South Africa covers all the bases as far as international varieties are concerned, but there are a few in particular that it excels at. Sauvignon Blanc is perfectly suited to the country’s warm climate, despite it being a little on the hot side. Chardonnay does well too, as do Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best of all though – and this is with a firm eye on the future, as not many of these make it over to the UK market yet – Shiraz looks to have enormous potential, producing wonderfully robust, characterful wines with plenty of oomph! There are also one or two top-class sparkling wines emerging from the country’s vineyards, the best made from Chenin Blanc.

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Learn About the History, Grape Varieties, Climate and Wine of Each South African Wine Region Below:

Klein Karoo
Cape South Coast
Coastal Region
Breede River Valley
Olifants River
Klein Karoo

An Introduction to Klein Karoo

Klein Karoo is perhaps one of the most beautiful landscapes of Western Cape, a semi-arid wine region stretching across a series of mountains. It has a much hotter and drier climate than its neighbouring regions, especially in its lower river beds where conditions are near desert-like. Irrigation is essential here for viticulture as it’s the only way growers can ensure the vines get enough water to grow healthy, juicy grapes. The region is known for producing fantastic port-style wines that rival those of Portugal, along with big, flavoursome reds from the Outeniqua Mountains, which has a terroir ideal for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Organic grapes are the preference here, as local growers often choose not to use fertilizers or synthetic ingredients in their produce. Key districts within this region you may have heard of are Calitzdorp and Upper Langkloof.

Climate and Geography

This desert-like region is further inland and experiences extremely high temperatures in the summer. It is only able to produce grapes healthy enough for wine production through irrigation, as annual rainfall is pretty low here. One feature this seemingly unlikely wine region has on its side though is its alluvial soil type, which is known to be extremely fertile and desirable for agriculture.

Red Varieties

Pinot Noir, Touriga Nacional

White Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat

Climate

Hot, semi-arid

Landscape

Mountainous

Soil

Alluvial

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Cape South Coast

An Introduction to Cape South Coast

Walker Bay is one of the key districts in Cape South Coast. It produces fresh, flinty Sauvignon Blanc, along with prestigious Burgundy-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Vineyards in this district enjoy long summers with plenty of sunshine, which are cooled by south-easterly breezes, creating a slow-ripening process. The resulting grapes have concentrated flavours yet are able to still retain high acidity. These intense flavours are also helped by low yields. Premium wines are coming out of Walker Bay, gaining global recognition to rival the mighty Stellenbosch.

Another notable district is Elgin, which is known for its Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Traditionally renowned for being South Africa’s key apple exporting region, it is now better known for its aromatic wines.

Climate and Geography

Cape South Coast is one of the coolest regions in South Africa, with a maritime climate. Soils here tend to be sandy shale with high clay content, with good drainage and ability to retain water well. Districts such as Elgin experience refreshing early morning mists, resulting in grapes that are full of character with big fruit flavours.

Red Varieties

Pinot Noir

White Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

Climate

Maritime

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Sand, shale, clay

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Coastal Region

An Introduction to Coastal Region

This is most important wine region in South Africa, containing all of the country’s top wine districts. Among these is Stellenbosch, a major player on the global wine market and home to some of South Africa’s best known wine estates. The terrain here allows for a variety of wine styles to be produced, and is divided into individual wards by soil type. Stellenbosch is the birthplace of Pinotage wine, but is perhaps best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, which is often blended with merlot to create Bordeaux style wines.

Another well-known region here is Constantia. Despite being one of the smallest districts, it has been famous world over since the mid-1700s, when a sweet, muscat-based wine from became a firm favourite throughout Europe with royalty, poets and aristocracy. In recent years, Constantia vines have actually been replanted, in order to further improve the quality of the grapes produced. Other well-known fine wine districts within the Coastal Region include Darling, Paarl and Swartland, where Shiraz, Pinotage and Chenin Blanc are grown throughout. Darling in particular is well-known for its impressive Shiraz and high quality white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc.

Climate and Geography

Cooled by a north-flowing current in the Atlantic coming from Antarctica, the districts within the Coastal Region have a cooler climate than their location and latitude would suggest. This region also benefits from a gail-force easterly wind, known locally as the ‘Cape Doctor’, which is thought to clear local pollution, reduce humidity and the risk of fungal diseases growing in the vineyard. It can, however, occasionally be so strong that it damages vines!

This wine region benefits from a long slow-ripening season, and the wide range of soils tend to have good drainage and water retention. Stellenbosch alone has over 50 different soil types, most of which are ideal for growing big reds like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Red Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinotage

White Varieties

Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat

Climate

Mediterranean

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Clay, granite

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Breede River Valley

An Introduction to Breede River Valley

Being further inland and surrounded by mountains, Breede River Valley is a hotter climate than coastal South African regions as it’s tucked away and sheltered from most cooling ocean currents. One of its most famous districts, Robertson, sits at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. The area is well known for producing rich, fruity reds, along with some sparkling wines from two of the grapes famously used to make Champagne – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Worchester is another key district in this region, which is also protected from extreme weather conditions that can harm crops by the surrounding mountains. Reds like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage are grown here, and in terms of whites it’s Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc.

Climate and Geography

The Breede River region is inland, and therefore pretty hot. It’s cooled down slightly, however, by a much needed south-easterly breeze from the Indian Ocean that weaves through the mountainous landscape. Temperatures may be high during the day, but the grapes have a chance to cool down at night from a small amount of moisture blown across from the sea. Districts like Robertson have a dry, hot climate with low annual rainfall, so the Breede River which runs through the region is used for irrigation.

Like other areas of South Africa, this region is home to a variety of soil types that can be used for viticulture. Red, gravelly soils are generally used for white grape varieties, while alluvial soils by the river are best for red grape vines. The lime found in the soil can give wines a mineral quality, which adds flavour depth and complexity to the wines. Robertson in particular has a lime-rich soil similar to that of Burgundy in France, so you know the grapes are going to be good!

Red Varieties

Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon

White Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc

Climate

Hot

Landscape

Mountainous

Soil

Gravel, alluvial, limestone

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Olifants River

An Introduction to Olifants River

The districts of Olifants River are known for high quality, mass wine production. Explorers first planted here back in the 1700s, and the region has really grown to be a significant name in the wine world. Benefitting from the cooling influences of the coast, a huge variety of grapes are grown here, from fragrant whites such as Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc nearer the coast, to fruity reds like Shiraz, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon higher up in the mountains. This mountainous region produces some truly outstanding commercial red wines that are big in character and age-worthy, and is world famous for its crisp Chenin Blanc.

Climate and Geography

A variety of grapes can be grown here thanks to the range of temperatures and soil types across the region. Further inland, you’ll find vineyards planted in the valleys of the mountains, which tend to have warmer temperatures and require irrigation for healthy vine growth. As you make your way closer to the coast you’ll find temperatures become cooler, and white grape varieties start to take centre stage. Vineyards to the north of the region are typically planted in loamy, alluvial soils which are extremely fertile, or on gravelly-soil slopes which provide much needed water retention. Further south, the vineyards are generally planted on sandstone and shale, which is highly absorbent and great for supplying those thirsty vines!

Red Varieties

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage

White Varieties

Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc

Climate

Mediterranean

Landscape

Mountainous

Soil

Loam, alluvial, gravel, sand, shale

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