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Countries index – Winemaking – Grapes
| South Africa: The Dutch East India Company established a supply station in Cape Town. A Dutch surgeon, Jan van Riebeeck, was appointed to manage the station and plant vineyards to produce wines and grapes. This was intended to ward off scurvy amongst sailors during their voyages along the spice route to India and the East. The first harvest was made on 2 February 1659 (as noted in Van Riebeeck’s log) seven years after the landing in 1652. In 1685, a large 750ha (1,900 acre) estate just outside Cape Town, became the Constantia wine estate. By the early 1900s, more than 80m vines were planted, and this created a ‘wine lake’. In the 20th c, Apartheid led to South African wines becoming overlooked. Grape varieties grown: Red – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz; White – Chardonnay, Chenel, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Crouchen (Cape Riesling), Gewürztraminer, Muscat of Alexandria (Hanepoot), Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Palomino, Riesling (Weisser Riesling), Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon (Groendruif), Trebbiano (Ugni Blanc), Weldra.  Image source: vineyards.com |
QUICK LINKS TO SOUTH AFRICA REGIONS
Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Free State.
| Breede River Valley Cape South Coast Cape Winelands Coastal Region Eastern Cape Klein Karoo | Kwazulu Natal Limpopo Northern Cape Olifants River Plettenburg Bay |
[Bree]
[Kwaz]
SOUTH AFRICA REGION-BY-REGION
| Breede River Valley: It is the largest fruit and wine producing valley in the Western Cape (itself the most significant wine region of South Africa). This wine region covers almost 130 kilometres along the Breede river.. Some 40% of the vines planted in the country are in this wine region. Worcester is the largest wine-producing town in the wine region, producing almost a quarter of the country’s total wine.  Image source: hic-winemerchants.com Areas: Breedekloof, Robertson, Worcester Grapes: Red: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz/Syrah White: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc  Image source: winetourism.com | Kwazulu-Natal: Situated in the East of the country, this is one of six geographical units defined by the Wine of Origin Scheme, stretching from Greytown to Oribi Flats and the Midlands. The first trials of Vitis vinifera growing were in 1992. In 2005, the Stables Wine Estate became its first wine estate, releasing its first wines in 2006. In 2007 a proposal for local government to fund vineyard plantings in Tribal regions of the province to create job opportunities. This project commenced in 2009.  Image source: abingdonestate.co.za Areas: There are no regions, districts or wards designated within this geographical unit. Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier  Image source: sa-venues.com |
[CpSC]
[Limp]
| Cape South Coast: This wine region sits where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet at the southernmost tip of Africa – it is part of the Western Cape. It is home to six wine districts that are situated within its borders.  Image source: winetourism.com Areas: Cape Agulhas, Elgin, Overberg, Plettenburg Bay, Swellendam, Walker Bay Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz White: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Rhine Rielsing, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon  Image source: theyachtcruwineguide.com | Limpopo: It is one of six geographical units in South Africa’s Wine of Origin scheme, and is located in the far north of the country.  Image source: limpopo-info.co.za Areas: Not detected Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinotage, Shiraz, Tannat, White: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Muscadel, Muscat d’Alexandrie  Image source: sa-venues.com |
[CpWi]
[NthC]
| Cape Winelands: This extends from the coast to the Klein Karoo, including the Garden Route, Overberg, and the West Coast areas. It has wine routes established in Constantia, Durbanville, Franschhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch and others..  Image source: blog.viatu.com Areas: Constantia, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson, Stellenbosch, Wellington Grapes: Red: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Syrah White: Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Grenache, Hanepoot, Sauvignon blanc  Image source: sa-venues.com | Northern Cape: The Northern Cape is both the largest and the most sparsely populated of the South African provinces. It has 10% of SA’s vineyards.  Image source: artandculturemaven.com Areas: Central Orange River, Douglas, Sutherland Karoo Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz White: Bukettraube, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Gewürztraminer, Muscadel  Image source: sa-venues.com |
[Coas]
[Olif]
| Coastal Region: This is home to almost all the country’s top wine districts. The region contains the longest-established growing areas in South Africa. It is close to the city of Cape Town and extends north along the Atlantic coast and east along the curve of False Bay.  Image source: winetourism.com Areas: Cape Point, Constantia, Darling, Franschook Valley, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Swarytland, Tulbagh, Tygerberg, Wellington Grapes: Red: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz White: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon blanc Image source: theyachtcruwineguide.com | Olifants River: This area runs from north to south along the valley of the Olifants River. Vines in the region require careful canopy management, to ensure that grapes are shaded by the leaves of the vine.  Image source: winetourism.com Areas: Spruitdrift, Vredendal Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Pinotage, Ruby Cabernet, Shiraz White: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Muscat d’Alexandrie, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon  Image source: winetourism.com |
[East]
[Plet]
| Eastern Cape: South Africa’s newest wine region, founded in in 2009.  Image source: eastern-cape-info.co.za Areas: St Francis Bay Grapes: Red: Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinotage, Shiraz White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc  Image source: sa-venues.com | Plettenburg Bay: Sat at the point where West and East Capes meet, this is a small winegrowing area. Plettenberg Bay has a relatively long history for a South African town, having been regularly visited by Portuguese explorers during the 15th and 16th centuries.  Image source: visitwinelands.co.za Areas: Harkerville, Plettenvale, The Crags Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc  Image source: sa-venues.com |
[Klei]
[West]
| Klein Karoo: This area runs along the route of the R52 – it is a semi-arid wine-producing region. It is on the eastern side of the Western Cape province. Historically, it has been known for Muscat grapes but is now best known for its sweet wines and brandies. The sweet wines of the Klein Karoo wine region are made using Muscat a Petits Grains and Muscat de Frontignan. Vineyards in the Klein Karoo can reach to an altitude of up to 700m (2,300ft).  Image source: wine-searcher.com Areas: Calitzdorp, Klein Karoo, Langberg-Garcia, Montagu, Outeniqua, Tradouw, Tradouw Highlands,Upper Langkloof; District: Plettenberg Bay; Wards: Prince Albert Valley, Herbertsdale, and Swartberg. Grapes: Red: Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Tempranillo, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional White: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Muscat a Petits Grains, Muscat de Frontignan, Sauvignon Blanc, Image source: sa-venues.com |
Wines of South Africa
Image source: topwinesa.com
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