South Africa
Mediterranean
Africa's leading wine producer, with more than 350 years of winemaking, known for Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Cape blends.
Overview
About South Africa
The first Cape wine was pressed in 1659, soon after the Dutch East India Company established its settlement at the Cape, and the sweet Constantia wine was celebrated in 18th-century Europe. The modern Wine of Origin (WO) system, introduced in 1973, is a nested hierarchy: Geographical Unit (such as Western Cape), then Region, District and Ward.
Chenin Blanc (known locally as Steen) is the most planted variety, and the country's old bush vines, many of which are protected by the Old Vine Project's certification, are a particular strength. Pinotage, a local crossing, is its signature red.
Hover a marker to see what's grown there, and click it to open that place. On a touch screen, tap once to preview and again to open. Bigger markers have more grapes linked to them.
South Africa
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
Mediterranean
Mediterranean, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The cold Benguela current and the strong south-easterly 'Cape Doctor' wind cool coastal vineyards and limit disease.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Ancient, nutrient-poor soils, including weathered granite, Table Mountain sandstone and Malmesbury shale, with some of the oldest soils used for wine anywhere in the world.
Go deeper
How the wines are classified
South Africa's Wine of Origin scheme is a nested set of places, from a whole province down to a single estate.
Geographical Unit
The largest area, such as Western Cape.
Region and District
Smaller areas within it, such as Coastal region and Stellenbosch district.
Ward
The smallest, most specific area, such as Simonsberg-Stellenbosch.
Estate Wine and Old Vine
Estate wines come from a single farm, and the Certified Old Vine seal marks vines over 35 years old.
Within South Africa
Regions
What's grown here
Grapes
Grapes linked to South Africa or to a place within it. Each grape's page links back here.
Chardonnay
Grown in Walker Bay.
Chenin Blanc
Grown in Western Cape and Swartland.
Cinsault
Grown in Western Cape and Swartland.
Colombard
Grown in Western Cape.
Muscat of Alexandria
Grown in Western Cape.
Pinot Noir
Grown in Walker Bay.
Pinotage
Grown in Western Cape, Stellenbosch, and Swartland.
Ruby Cabernet
Grown in Western Cape.
Syrah
Grown in Western Cape and Swartland.