Western Cape
Mediterranean
The Cape's wine heartland on the south-western tip of Africa, spanning Stellenbosch, Paarl, Swartland, Constantia, Walker Bay and more.
Overview
About Western Cape
Almost all of South Africa's quality wine comes from the Western Cape, the Wine of Origin Geographical Unit that surrounds Cape Town. It contains a huge range of sites, from cool coastal wards such as Elgin and Walker Bay to hot, dry inland areas such as Robertson and Breedekloof, and specific districts including Stellenbosch, Paarl and Swartland.
The mix of grape varieties is equally wide: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cinsault are all important, and the region has been at the centre of a wave of interest in old bush vines and lighter-handed winemaking in recent years.
Where is a grape grown?
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
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
Cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The Atlantic coast and mountains create a patchwork of cooler pockets, while inland areas are hotter and drier.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Ancient, nutrient-poor soils: weathered granite (Paarl, parts of Swartland), Table Mountain sandstone, Malmesbury shale, and iron-rich soils such as koffieklip.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
The Western Cape is the top Wine of Origin geographical unit, and most of South Africa's quality wine comes from within it.
Regions
Coastal, Breede River Valley, Klein Karoo, Olifants River and Cape South Coast.
Districts
Including Stellenbosch, Paarl, Swartland, Franschhoek and Walker Bay.
Wards
Smaller, more specific areas within the districts.
Within Western Cape
Subregions
Stellenbosch
The Cape's historic wine capital and centre of viticultural research, known for Cabernet blends, Pinotage and Chenin Blanc beneath the Simonsberg.
Swartland
Dry, rolling wheat country north of Cape Town, and the centre of a new wave of old-vine Chenin Blanc, Syrah and Grenache.
Walker Bay
A cool coastal district around Hermanus, whose Hemel-en-Aarde valley is South Africa's best-known address for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
What's grown here
Grapes
Grapes linked to Western Cape or to a place within it. Each grape's page links back here.
Chenin Blanc
As Steen, the country's most planted grape, from fresh whites to old-vine wines.
Cinsault
Historic Cape variety and, alongside Pinot Noir, parent of Pinotage.
Colombard
Grown as Colombar for fresh whites and as a base for brandy.
Muscat of Alexandria
Grown as Hanepoot for sweet and fortified wines.
Pinotage
A hub for a newer generation of fresher, lighter-touch Pinotage.
Ruby Cabernet
Grown for everyday reds.
Syrah
A growing reputation for characterful, often minimal-intervention Syrah.
Chardonnay
Grown in Walker Bay.
Pinot Noir
Grown in Walker Bay.