Stellenbosch is one of the oldest wine growing regions in South Africa and is considered by some to be their Napa Valley – it’s where the best quality Cabernet Sauvignon comes from. However, as opposed to the high alcohol and fruit forward wines of California, Stellenbosch Cabs tend to be more like Cabernet blends from Bordeaux. These wines have more restraint to their fruit and can include small percentages of grape varieties like Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Stellenbosch also produces Rhone blends, and Syrah/Shiraz, along with South Africa’s signature red grape, Pinotage, and some white wines. The region itself has a great diversity of microclimates and soil types. Part of it lies in the Eerste River Valley, which is about 30 miles east of Cape Town, but there are higher elevation vineyards further inland, planted in the hills along several mountain ranges. You’ll find low lying valleys that receive warmer temperatures, and coastal sub regions that benefit from cooler breezes off of the Atlantic. In fact, these coastal areas are where much of the region’s white wine production comes from.
Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon
Expect a Cabernet from Stellenbosch to be bold and full-bodied with dark fruit ranging from blueberry and blackberry, to cassis and plums. These wines have a silky texture, supple tannins, and a good balance of acidity, which gives them a fresh taste. In some Cabs, you’ll find notes of cedar and hints of tobacco, in others, cocoa powder, dark chocolate and minerals. It all depends on where the grapes were grown.
Interested in trying a Stellenbosch Cabernet? Start with a bottle in the $25-40 range which you should be able to find in most fine wine shops. Note, higher priced wines from South Africa tend not to be sold in grocery stores.
Syrah / Shiraz and Rhone blends
Stellenbosch Syrahs are an excellent choice with characteristic dark fruit, including rich blackberry and plum notes, and hints of chocolate. While the Swartland region gets the most attention for their distinctive Rhone blends, Stellenbosch is also producing some noteworthy reds with Syrah /Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault in the blend.
Wine Tip: Syrah and Shiraz are actually the same grape. They tend to call it Shiraz “Down Under” and Syrah in Europe. In South Africa, you’ll find both names are in use.
Pinotage
Pinotage is a spicy and bold medium-bodied red wine with dark fruit, including plum, blackberry and cherry in its flavor profile. It can have earthy and smoky tones, a good backbone of minerality, and goes great with barbecue food and braised meat. If you tried this wine in the past and hated it, it’s time to give it another go as it’s been completely reimagined thanks to some serious viticulture and farming changes.
Pinotage is a grape varietal that was actually created in South Africa in 1925 as a cross between Cinsault (which comes from the Rhone region in France) and Pinot Noir. When it was first developed, Pinotage was used mainly for large production, simple red wines which were often described as having unpleasant notes of, believe it or not, rubber!
However, since the early 2000s when producers began growing Pinotage in cooler areas and restricting yields, this wine has done an about-face and there are a number of producers making delicious wines these days that are very much so worth trying.
White wine from Stellenbosch
Chenin Blanc
Along with the Loire Valley, South Africa and its old-vine vineyards are leading a resurgence in interest in this wine. Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch can have notes of peach, apricot and nectarine, hints of ginger, orange peel, spices, and a touch of honey in its flavor profile.
Chardonnay
Chardonnays from the region often feature layered lemon, lime and citrus fruit, with good acidity and some oaky notes. This is because they mostly use traditional French oak barrels in this part of South Africa, which gives the wine more finesse.
Sauvignon Blanc
If you’re a Sauvignon Blanc drinker, Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc can range from a Sancerre style which is unoaked, and green with bright acidity and citrus fruit, to a Bordeaux style where a certain percentage of the wine is aged in oak sur lie, giving it a richer mouthfeel and creamier texture (learn more about the different styles of Sauvignon Blanc).
Chenin Blancs and Sauvignon Blancs start at $15+ with Chardonnay sitting at a slightly higher price point at $20+. No matter which Stellenbosch wine you’re drinking, one thing is assured, you’ll be getting a great value compared to equivalent bottles from Napa or Bordeaux.
Stellenbosch producers to try
- Stark-Condé – Stark-Condé produces boutique estate wines and is home to one of the highest vineyards in Stellenbosch, Jonkershock Valley, which is also the smallest AVA in the region. They use oak fermenters that are all hand punched and ferment their wine in small batches.
- Jordan Wines – A family-run winery owned by a geologist and an economist, the land for Jordan wines was first purchased in 1982 and later replanted with classic grape varieties to suit the individual soils of each vineyard slope. Not only do they make delicious wines here but they have an exceptional restaurant and bakery that merits a visit.
- Neil Ellis Wines – Driven by a philosophy to plant the right grape in the right environment, Neil Ellis owns vineyards in different parts of South Africa. Their wines are notable for their elegance and pure expression of fruit; they have good acidity but aren’t overly extracted. From Stellenbosch, try the Left Bank red which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.
- Meerlust – Located by False Bay, Meerlust benefits from a coastal microclimate that favors slow-ripening and highly concentrated grapes. They produce Bordeaux style red blends, including their flagship wine Rubicon, which is known for its strong tannin structure with tobacco, black currant, fig and black licorice notes. The estate has been owned by the Myburgh family since 1756.
- Boekenhoutskloof – A winery from the Franschhoek area, Boekenhoutskloof has been in operation since 1776 but it wasn’t until 1993 that it was replanted and “reinvented” under the direction of winemaker Marc Kent. They produce some noteworthy Syrah and Rhone blends, including their signature The Chocolate Block wine which offers layered dark fruit with plum, blackberry and spice notes.
- Rustenberg – This is one of the oldest wineries in South Africa, founded in 1682 on the slopes of the Simonsberg mountain. Rustenberg is known for its top quality Chardonnays and Cabs.
Planning a visit
The best time to visit Stellenbosch if you’re looking to do winery tours is September and October or March through May. Be aware that during the South African summer months (November through February) the region gets busy and it can be quite hot. For crowd-free wine tastings, visit in winter and you won’t be disappointed.
Stellenbosch town
Stellenbosch town is the second oldest town in South Africa and you’ll find it’s a hub for wine production and viticulture education and training. There are now over 100 wineries in the Stellenbosch region, most of them with tasting rooms on site. Keep in mind, Cape Town is only a short drive away. You can always stay in Cape Town and take day trips to the different vineyards on your list.
Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
The Simonsberg-Stellenbosch area is one of the highest elevation wine routes in the region that you don’t want to miss. They grow a lot of Bordeaux varieties in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, including Syrah and Merlot. You’ll also want to try one of their oak aged Chardonnays.
Top Tip: Don’t miss out on the restaurant at Jordan winery!
History of the wine industry in South Africa
Even though South Africa is considered a “New World” wine growing region, it’s actually more “Old World” if you look at the history. In the 1600s, early Dutch trade routes circled the Cape of Good Hope and boats would often stop near modern-day Cape Town to resupply. At that time, brandy wine was a staple for sailors and so to meet the demand, they planted grapes brought from Europe and tended to by the Heugonots, who were escaping persecution in France. The Heugonots came from the Loire region and planted one of their native grape varieties, Chenin Blanc, which is still one of the most popular wines made in South Africa.
Fast forward several hundred years, when the apartheid system of racial segregation was first introduced, it also included a number of economic and agricultural restrictions. Chenin Blanc and Pinotage were among the only grape varieties that could be grown. When apartheid ended, so did the restrictions and the country experienced a wine renaissance of sorts.
Many South African winemakers traveled back to Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire and the Rhone to learn more about modern grape growing and winemaking techniques. They returned home to plant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Merlot, among other varietals, which were all well suited to the South African climate.
Other major South African wine regions
- Elgin. This coastal area is a major fruit tree growing region with some high altitude vineyards. They’re known for their cool climate Rieslings, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and some of the best South African Pinot Noir comes from here. Look for wines from the producer Paul Cluver.
- Walker Bay. This is the southernmost wine growing district in South Africa. It’s also a famous breeding ground for the Southern Right Whale. It’s cool here and the climate is ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They also produce Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage. Try a wine from Hamilton Russel or Southern Right.
- Paarl. This wine growing region is slightly northeast of Stellenbosch. They produce red and white wine but you should also be on the lookout for one of their sparkling wines. Called Methode Cap Classique, they’re reminiscent of Cava and made in the Champagne-Methode style. Wines from Glen Carlou or Boekenhoutskoof are a great place to start.
- The Darling District. White varietals do well here – including Sauvignon Blanc and cool climate Chardonnays. Groenekloof is a sub-district to pay attention to. Look for the producer Neil Ellis.
- Swartland. This region has a hot and arid climate but they’re producing some excellent Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache red blends you really should try. Look for Fairview Wines from Charles Back. Note, they have mainly bush vines here and the landscape looks a bit like the moon in some parts!
