South Africa’s wine industry is now ranked 8th in global production, largely due to the unexpected influence of politics on wine productions in the land.
Prior to Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, South Africa’s wine industry was unsophisticated and nearly unheard of in the international community of wine drinkers, and much less in the wine market. The ushering of the new multiracial democracy, combined with the boundless economic opportunities that many credit Mandela as having both direct and indirect created, influenced the Cape Winelands’ transformation into a more modern globalized industry.
The Mandela family has also entered the business, producing a line under the name House of Mandela. Makaziwe Mandela, daughter to Nelson Mandela and Tukwini Mandela, grand-daughter, have even traveled to the US to showcase their own brand of Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Sauvignon Blanc. The South African wine business is booming and growing in the competition for best winery and vineyards. Here are our top ten picks:
1. Kanonkop
One of South Africa’s foremost wine producers is a family-owned estate. Located on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in the Stellenbosch Region of the Cape, The Kanonkop Estate was first to prove that Pinotage grapes could make good wine. Its Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet-based blend Paul Sauer have been a success for a whole generation. This vineyard is widely respected for its traditional approach, and has gained notoriety for its Pinotage and Paul Sauer wines. It has 120 hectares of vineyards, all of them red.
2. Vergelegen
This magnificent historic estate near Somerset West, now owned by Anglo Americans, has been around since the early 1700s. The vineyards were re-established following intensive climatic and soil tests. A detailed master plan was drawn up for the development of the farm and in 1992, an impressive, multi-leveled, sunken hilltop winery was built and opened by Baron Eric de Rothschild, owner of Chateau Lafitte (Bordeaux) in France.
Today, Vergelegen competes with the top 100 wines of the world and positions itself among the leading conservers of Cape cultural heritage. Throughout its history and especially during the last two decades, heads of state and celebrities of international renown have been visiting Vergelegen. The first unbanned meeting of the caucus of the ANC took place in the seclusion of Vergelegen before it was opened to the public, with amongst others, Nelson Mandela and Thabo M’Beki attending (1990). Award-winning winemaker André van Rensburg is now at the helm of creating fantastic and classic whites and reds.
3. Chamonix
They hold the belief that good food and good wine go hand in hand. Headed by Gottfried Mocke for ten years, this well-established wine producer has been dazzling critics and wine-lovers over its spectacular Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Located in the Franschhoek vineyards, hard work, sensitivity and flair in the cellar have worked like magic on the reds as well, especially the Pinot Noir, now among the Cape’s best.
4. Tokara
This is a picture perfect destination which offers visitors a unique combination of award-winning wines, brandy and olive oils, a gallery of fine art, a restaurant featuring one of South Africa’s leading chefs as well as a delicatessen. The winery, on the R310 outside Stellenbosch, is nestled among vineyards and olive groves on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass with sweeping views across False Bay and all the way to Table Mountain.
Tokara prides itself on making wines that are site specific. Even though vineyards were initially planted on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain at the Stellenbosch property, two other farms, Highlands in the Elgin district and Siberia in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, were additionally acquired. In doing so Tokara is able to produce wines which express the distinct characteristics of these three wine producing regions.
The most southerly wine estate in Africa and the closest to the sea – is located in the cool, maritime Walker Bay, in a beautiful valley behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The estate specialises in producing highly individual, terroir driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as the best in South Africa and among the best in the New World.
Founder, Tim Hamilton Russell purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975. His son Anthony, who took over in 1991, narrowed the range to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay only and registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as an Estate, committing to work only with grapes from their terroir. Extensive soil research initiated in 1994 identified 52 hectares of stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil as optimal for the individual, origin expressive style they aim for and all plantings have now been limited to this soil type. This early champion of chardonnay and pinot noir remains among the leaders of the Hemel-en-Aarde region, just inland from Hermanus.
6. Paul Cluver
This family-owned, family-run wine business is located in the cool-climate Elgin Valley, approximately 70km south-east of Cape Town. The property has been in ownership of the Cluver Family since 1896. Recognised as pioneers of wine in the area, the focus is on producing elegant wines that are expressive of the terroir. The wine business forms part of larger holistic farming business called ‘De Rust Estate’. In addition to the vineyards and cellar, there are apple and pear orchards, a Hereford stud and eco-tourism activities, including amphitheatre concerts, on the farm.
Based in Swartland, an area that has traditionally been overlooked as a region capable of producing great wine, but this is rapidly changing. The winemaking is focused on what they believe the Swartland does best, and produce just three wines: A barrel fermented white blend of Chenin blanc, Grenache blanc, Clairette and Viognier; a perfumed Syrah, sourced from nine different vineyards, matured in second and third fill demi-muids; and a super rich straw wine made from air dried Chenin Blanc, fermented and matured in old barriques.
Established in 1776 and located in the furthest corner of the beautiful Franschhoek valley, the farm’s name means “ravine of the Boekenhout” (pronounced Book-n-Howed). Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for furniture making. In 1993 the farm and homestead was bought and restored and a new vineyard planting programme was established that now includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon and Viognier.
Boekenhoutskloof’s phenomenal success owes much to both its cellarmaster Marc Kent and Tim Rands, founder. Its signature Chocolate Block red blend is made locally in unmatched quantities given its price and quality; at more easily affordable levels the Porcupine Ridge and Wolftrap wines deliver more than expected at their price points.
9. Waterford
Waterford Wine Estate is situated in one of the world’s most visually arresting areas of paradise. Nestled in the picturesque Blaauwklippen Valley, in the world-renowned Stellenbosch region, this 120-hectare property boasts ancient citrus groves, rolling lawns, water features and fragrant lavender beds.
The winery was designed by architect Alex Walker and created from quarried local bedrock, stones from the vineyard and timber grown on the estate. It was styled along the engaging terracotta design of the classic Bordeaux chateaus of France. This magical place is among the more convincing of local super-priced reds, but the whole range offers reliable high quality—including the cheaper Pecan Stream wines.
Cape Point Vineyards is located on a narrow strip of peninsula, and between the disparate icy Atlantic and the warm currents of False Bay, resulting in a unique maritime climate that is ideal for superior winemaking. Perched high above the peninsula, and embraced by a neighbouring nature reserve, Cape Point Vineyards is set in a backdrop of magnificent panoramas and breathtaking sea views that form part of the signature presence of this prestigious estate. The vineyards are planted mostly to Sauvignon blanc, but there is also Chardonnay and Semillon for the excellent Isliedh blend.
