Stellenbosch
Mediterranean
The Cape's historic wine capital and centre of viticultural research, known for Cabernet blends, Pinotage and Chenin Blanc beneath the Simonsberg.
Overview
About Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch was founded in 1679 by the Cape's governor, Simon van der Stel, and is the second-oldest town in South Africa. Stellenbosch University, where Abraham Perold created Pinotage in 1925, remains the country's centre for viticulture and oenology.
As a Wine of Origin District, Stellenbosch is divided into wards including Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Jonkershoek Valley, Banghoek and Bottelary. It is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux-style blends, Pinotage, Syrah and Chenin Blanc.
Stellenbosch is marked on the map.
South Africa
Shaded: Western Cape. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
Mediterranean
Warm Mediterranean, moderated by cooling afternoon sea breezes from False Bay. Higher-altitude and mountain-slope vineyards are noticeably cooler.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Decomposed granite at the foot of the Simonsberg and Helderberg mountains — deep, well-drained and moisture-retaining — with Table Mountain sandstone at altitude and shale and clay on lower slopes.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
Stellenbosch is a Wine of Origin district containing smaller wards, each with its own character.
Wards
Including Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Jonkershoek Valley, Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley and Polkadraai Hills.
Stellenbosch District
The wider appellation, which is what many wines carry.
Estate Wine
A wine made from grapes grown, and made, on a single estate.
What's grown here
Grapes
Each grape's page links back here.