Top 10 Wineries in South Africa - AND MORE!

[Rugevit]

Enjoy!!

I usually buy wines that cost around $20USD for non special occasions . There are good ones at this price range, particularly the new world wines that don't cost as much as some overhyped wines from Europe. If I am going to introduce myself to SA wines, I may just buy the better one of the two locally. It'd be nice to pair it with something made in South Africa too.

[Kazimiera]

Stony Brook Vineyards



Stony Brook is a small family-run vineyard, situated in the southernmost corner of the Franschhoek Valley. We have 14 hectares under vines and produce a full range of wines.

Tastings are given, either on the veranda, or in a newly-completed tasting area at the front of our home. We pride ourselves in making quality wines that reflect the uniqueness of the area.


Sylvanvale Vineyards



Grapes have been grown on the property since the 1960s. Today, Sylvanvale Vineyards offer some of the finest quality vineyards in the valley. The south-east facing slopes, with their rich red soils and cool Atlantic breeze, produce superb Pinotage, Cabernet and Chenin Blanc cultivars.


Thandi Wines



Established in Elgin in 1995, Thandi - a Xhosa word meaning 'nurturing love' - is a wine that niches on quality, spawned the Fairtrade trend and helps to uplift and empower the previously disadvantaged people.

Already synonamous with excellent quality, Thandi also advocates ethical trading and social transformation. The community is actively involved at all stages during the wine making process, from working in the vineyards to producing the award winning wines. Thandi's secret to success is not the fact that good taste is a constant ingredient, but rather that the brand helps create wealth to uplift previously disadvantaged people. Profits and Fairtrade premiums are ploughed back into various upliftments initiatives, such as creche for farm workers children and adult education.

Thandi was launched in the UK with a Cabernet Sauvignon, but the range has since expanded to include single and dual varietals such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot.

In 2003, Thandi became the first wine brand in the world to receive Fairtrade accreditation. Thandi has garnered a plethora of prestigious awards such as silver medals at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2001 and 2004. Gold medals for its Sauvignon Semillon 2004 and 2005 at the Veritas awards. No longer taking baby steps, Thandi is instead growing in leaps and bounds, gainning international acclaim and firmly establishing itself as leaing empowerment wine brand.


L'Avenir



Describing itself as “proudly South African with a touch of French flair”, French-owned L’Avenir Estate, situated in an area of the Stellenbosch winelands known as the 'golden triangle', remains committed to its legacy, maintaining a focus on South Africa’s signature varieties: Pinotage and Chenin Blanc which have led the estate’s acclaim. In their honour, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage are represented in L’Avenir’s new wine ranges sporting elegant modern labels, an exclusive Pinotage Lounge was recently unveiled in the heart of the wine cellar, and a beautiful wooden Pinotage Deck has been built in the vineyards.


The Winery of Good Hope



Across everything we create, The Winery of Good Hope aims first and foremost to provide its followers with complete quality. Consistently. This whilst combining a keen pursuit of innovation with a very healthy respect for tradition.

The Winery's distinctive ranges reflect entirely separate styles. Each focused and yet diverse.

Each range has its own raison d'être, independent of the others, though complimentary to the bigger picture. Together providing a variety of options through an extended spectrum of varieties, price points, unique packaging and characterful wines. Wines originating from the most established vineyards of the Cape and wines from the most over-looked or undiscovered sites.


Tokara



Apart from award winning architecture, the Tokara estate offers magnificent vistas of the Simonsberg Mountains, False Bay, Table Mountain and the lush Idas Valley.

The winery building’s industrial nature is softened by uncomplicated architecture and design. A composition of simple, natural materials and clean, strong lines characterize the structure, offering clarity of form within a breathtaking environment.

The wine production and marketing facility was designed to reflect the character of the wines themselves – innovative and distinctive. Spaces interact efficiently, with practicality being a core element.


Uva Mira



UvaMira is a family owned boutique winery perched on the slopes of the majestic Helderberg Mountains located in the Stellenbosch region of the Western Cape.

An area that has consistently been producing some of the best wines in the country for years.

The farm is the highest of those on the Helderberg boasting 360-degree views which include Table Mountain, Cape Point, Robben Island, False Bay and Table Bay.

Our unique high-altitude mountain vineyards located between 420 and 620 meters above sea level provide a cool climate that gives our elegant wines a distinctive character and uncompromising quality.

Our winemaking & viticulture follow precise attention-to-detail practices which although labour intensive and time consuming are dedicated to a benchmark that sets apart from the norm enabling us to strengthen our long-term goal to become South Africa's leading boutique winery.


Van Ryn's Brandy Distillery



In the heart of the Vlottenburg Valley, where the Eerste River winds its way through the tranquil landscape, lies the legendary Van Ryn's Brandy Distillery.

The rich history of this cellar dates back to 1845, when the Dutch immigrant Jan van Ryn arrived at the Cape. He established the Van Ryn's Wine and Brandy Company, and with it a proud tradition of brandy excellence.

True to its founder's belief that the secret of a great brandy lies in the maturation, the cornerstone of the Van Ryn's Brandy Cellar philosophy is "Excellence in Maturation".

Here the age-old skill of the cooper, preserved for posterity, still forms an integral part of brandy maturation in wood. Much care is afforded to maintain optimum maturation conditions in the cellar.


Viljoensdrift



Blessed with fruits from the rich soil of this valley and the Breede River river that runs through the vineyards, Viljoensdrift is a place of tranquility and distinctive wines.


Villiera Wines



Villiera is a family run winery in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. We are a pioneering quality wine company committed to preserving the environment and have been rewarded with membership to the Biodiversity of Wine Initiative.

We specialise in Cap Classique and have a strong reputation for Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. We also commit ourselves to ongoing education and upliftment of our staff and are WIETA accredited.


Vredenheim Estate



Wine, Coffee and food, gifts and souvenirs, art, game drives, picnics, restaurants, conference centre, functions venues, nursery, astounding gardens, wonderful get- togethers - this is all part of the fun on Vredenheim. Not a dull moment on this true South-African farm, home of the Bezuidenhout family. Part of the charm of the farm is that the ownership resides in a true Afrikaans-speaking family where hospitality is still considered an important virtue.

Coen and Rikie Bezuidenhout acquired Vredenheim in 1986. Who would have then thought that over and above the vineyards, the farm would today boast with fruit orchards, a paradise of a picnic venue and game such as blouwildebeest, springbok and black springbok, eland, bontebok, fellow deer, Oryx, zebras and ostriches.


Wamakersvallei Winery



Wamakersvallei is situated in what is surely one of the most scenic pockets of our winelands. Directly translated Wamakersvallei means 'Valley of the Wagons' and owes its name to the intrepid pioneers who would stop over in the little town of Wellington at the edge of the Dutch Cape Colony's frontier to check their wagons before venturing into the wild and uncharted interior.


Waterford Estate



The fountain in the Waterford courtyard is a symbol of the exuberance of the Waterford Way and the distinctive wines that are born of this land.

The uniqueness of the terroir, the passion of these two families and the masterful talent of Kevin Arnold form a catalyst for wines that are relished around the world.
Whether it's the season for growing, waiting, bottling or distributing, Waterford gives vibrance and energy to every task at hand, and this love of the art of winemaking is in the hearts and hands of each grape-picker, each bottler, each student who helps to make each vintage memorable. The families especially love having young hands helping on the farm to make some pocket money, as the youthful energy resonates so strongly with the Waterford Way.

And each vintage pays tribute to the families who make these wines, by bearing the name of a family member. Waterford's values and traditions will become a heritage carried through generations to come.


Waverley Hills Organic Wines



We are best known for producing organic wines with a unique style, extremely smooth with soft ripe tannins and robust fynbos characteristic. We also produce a range of organic olive products. Our vineyards and olive groves are situated off the R46 road just outside of Wolseley, 150km from Cape Town. All the vineyards are irrigated with pure mountain spring water and are located on a natural watershed area where both the Breede and Berg rivers originate. The area is renowned for its diverse fynbos (indigenous flora), giving our wines a unique herbaceous characteristic.

Waverley Hills is a unique winery: we are moving away from a system based on inputs of chemicals, to a management-based system of grape-growing, establishing a “green approach” to winemaking. All Waverley Hills' wine and olive products are organically certified by SGS. Our unique style of wine is smooth with soft ripe tannins and robust fynbos characteristics.


Webersburg



The Cape Dutch cellar, built in 1796, resonates with age-old wine making secrets. In summer, savour our delicious wines whilst relaxing on the luscious green lawns under oak trees, and enjoy breathtaking views of the vineyards and mountains. Spoil yourself in winter by sipping our luxurious red wines in front of glowing fireplaces.

Webersburg Guesthouse warmly invites you to its elegantly restored Cape Dutch homestead, boutique winery and elite event venue. Dating back to 1786, the Manor House and Jonkershuis at Webersburg invites you to experience the finest Cape Dutch heritage in its most stylish and comfortable expression.

[Kazimiera]

Waterkloof Wine Estate



Paul’s father, a Frenchman who escaped the German army marching on St Malo in 1940, opened a restaurant in Stockport, England, following the end of World War II. The restaurant was based on the French model of having the mother at the front of the house and the kids peeling potatoes as soon as they were old enough. But Paul was not keen on this, and fell into the wine trade after a less-than-brilliant scholastic career. Following a classic apprenticeship in the UK wine trade in the early 1970s, Paul launched his own successful wine import business in 1980, which he subsequently sold in 2013. Paul has built a thriving business by doing things differently. His private investment in Waterkloof is not that of the archetypical foreign-based lifestyle investor, but rather as a hands-on dedicated entrepreneur-cum-winemaker. It is his desire to consistently produce truly fine wines with a defining sense of origin.


Wederom



In the heart of the Robertson Valley between vineyards and orchards lie the farm Wederom and the Hanepoot Huisies -inviting you to escape to a world where tradition still runs strong.Philip, 4 th generation of the Du Toit family chooses the best fruit from each harvest, resulting in highly individual friendly wines. Almien offers Grandma Zeeman's old family recipes,ensuring unforgettable meals... and with such hospitality,how could one not return.
Originally he name Du Toit meant “from the roof” but later developed to mean “a small place erected as a home”. All the Du Toit's in South Africa can trace their roots back to Francois du Toit who came to South Africa in 1690.


Welbedacht - Schalk Burger Wines



Our farm Welbedacht, granted in 1830, means "well thought out" in Dutch and has been producing wine and quality grapes since those early days as a testament to its unique and well thought out positioning against the slopes of Groenberg Mountain overlooking the picturesque Cape Winelands.

Once a ramshackle cellar dating back to the 1800s. Welbedacht is now in the safe hands of former rugby Springbok Schalk Burger Snr. After selling grapes to high-profile producers with 'amazing results' for a few years (think ABSA Top 10 Pinotage), Burger decided in 2003 to follow his dream of making his own wines.

The wines start when we hand select the bunches of grapes in our vineyards and make the wine in our unique cellar, which we designed to suit our fruit.

Describing the 2005 harvest as 'a roller coaster ride of gritted teeth and silent prayer', Schalk Burger and winemaker Matthew Copeland are particularly excited about the quality of their Pinotage and barrel-fermented Chenin, both from decades-old bush vines.


Wellington Wine Cellar



The cellar is situated at the entrance of the historical town, Wellington. Here, only the best technology and most modern equipment is used for the grapes from our 49 members to produce top quality wines.


Welmoed



Located in Stellenbosch, the farm of Welmoed was first granted to Governor Simon van der Stel in 1690. Over the years, many great wines have been produced in the Welmoed cellar.


Wildekrans Wine Estate



Wildekrans Estate is a boutique winery situated near Bot River in the Southern Cape. It’s wines, which are an expression of the unique cool climate terrior, originate in vineyards that are located on rolling hills overlooking Walker Bay. The wine making philosophy is one that begins from the premise that great wines begin in the vineyard. Consequently, care is taken to carefully match varietals to suitable soil types. The vines are thereafter nurtured to produce low yielding crops of pronounced structure & fruit intensity.

The wine making process, similarly, adheres to principles of low intervention with a focus on capturing & retaining the essence of the vine & it’s terrior. Our gentle approach to wine making is evident in the number of high quality, multiple award winning wines we are producing at Wildekrans.


WolfKloof Boutique Winery



Wolfkloof Boutique Winery & venue offers a special beauty and charm twelve months of the year. A rose-lined path curving along the mountains and vineyard leads up to the cellar and venue area. The cellar is set within a mass of green and offers a magnificent view of Langeberg Mountain Range and the town of Robertson in the distance. A wooden deck allows you to reach out and touch the vineyard, which gives every season its unique beauty.


Yonder Hill



About 15 kilometers from Stellenbosch, on the slow, meandering road that leads to Somerset West, lies a piece of land that is as peaceful and as tranquil as it is in unison with its surrounds.

It nestled, against the lower slopes of the magnificent Helderberg and from the farmland's threshold to its northernmost pinnacle it embraces breathtaking views that stretch across the width of False Bay to the furthest-flung beacon that is Table Mountain.


Zanddrift Vineyards



Zanddrift Vineyards is a 45 hectare estate situated in the South African renown Paarl wine region. The small size of Zanddrift allows this vineyard the freedom to try out new techniques.


Zandwijk



Zandwijk Wines, proud home of Kleine Draken is the premium vineyard and winery in South Africa dedicated exclusively to Kosher wines and juices.

With a proud history dating back to the seventeenth century, Zandwijk Wines has been diligently restored to recapture it's 300 year old history.

Nestled on the South Eastern slopes of Paarl mountain, the vineyard enjoys a superior terroir, which contributes towards captivating the delicacy and complexity of both red and white grape cultivars alike. Most categories of wine are available to satisfy the stringent quality requirements of our international clientele.

Once certified by the ultra strict Cape Beth Din all of the wines and juices are Kosher and Kosher for Passover. Whilst religiously adhering to the strict parameters of the Cape Beth Din, an ultra modern and technologically advanced wine cellar is utilised to capture the essence of top quality South African wine.


Zevenwacht



Situated on the Stellenbosch Wine Route, Zevenwacht has viticultural roots which penetrate deep into the historic past of South Africa. While literally meaning Seven Expectations, the name Zevenwacht exemplifies the abundant delights which await visitors to the Farm.

The wines of Zevenwacht are distinguished by their classic style and finely crafted elegance. Winemaker Jacques Viljoen honours century-old winemaking traditions, yet is boldly innovative, welcoming the contribution that modern technology makes to the vinification of premier wines.

Covering 200 hectares of the 450 hectare property, the vineyards are ideally situated for the growing of quality grapes. Zevenwacht is characterized by good quality, varied soils and the vineyards have been selectively planted with red and white noble varietals.


Zorgvliet Wines



Zorgvliet Wine Estate nestled in the beautiful Banhoek Valley near Stellenbosch overlooking majestic mountains and rolling vineyards offers luxury accommodation, conference facilities and a stunning wedding venue.

Zorgvliet boasts not only award winning wines but also nine 5 star vineyard lodge rooms and a restaurant.

Here you can experience what living on a working wine farm is all about or you can simply indulge in the consumption of the fruit of the vine. You can even have a personalized wine label made while enjoying wine tasting and barrel sampling in the modern wine cellar.

The wines from Zorgvliet Wine Estate have been based on a strong philosophy incorporating tradition along with modern, forward thinking. Simply put, that philosophy is, “Elegance in Wine”. From the vineyard to the cellar, great care is taken, where the approach is one of minimal intervention.

[Kazimiera]

I usually buy wines that cost around $20USD for non special occasions . There are good ones at this price range, particularly the new world wines that don't cost as much as some overhyped wines from Europe. If I am going to introduce myself to SA wines, I may just buy the better one of the two locally. It'd be nice to pair it with something made in South Africa too.

I hope you find something nice!!

[Rugevit]

Kanonkop Pinotage and Durbanville Hills Pinotage. They are affordable too.

I've tried both wines. South African Pinotage has distinctive profile from other new and old world wines that I tried. I liked both wines.

[Kazimiera]

I've tried both wines. South African Pinotage has distinctive profile from other new and old world wines that I tried. I liked both wines.

Excellent!

[Rugevit]

Excellent!

Do you drink much wine yourself?

[Kazimiera]

Do you drink much wine yourself?

Not at all. Drinking wine is like torture for me - I don't do it unless I really HAVE to and even then I can avoid it if I try.

Because I don't drink my alcohol tolerance is very low. I go from "nice and warm" to "stone drunk and puking my lungs out" in the space of one drink. And if I do it with wine, it is as nasty coming up as it is going down.

That said, there is ONE dessert wine I like! Spatzendreck by Delheim. My like for it probably also has to do with label. A drop of poop coming from the sparrow's bum. (Spatzendreck in German means "sparrow's shit".)

[Rugevit]

Not at all. Drinking wine is like torture for me - I don't do it unless I really HAVE to and even then I can avoid it if I try.

Because I don't drink my alcohol tolerance is very low. I go from "nice and warm" to "stone drunk and puking my lungs out" in the space of one drink. And if I do it with wine, it is as nasty coming up as it is going down.

That said, there is ONE dessert wine I like! Spatzendreck by Delheim. My like for it probably also has to do with label. A drop of poop coming from the sparrow's bum. (Spatzendreck in German means "sparrow's shit".)

Vodka is a popular drink in our culture. Once I got drunk celebrating the end of the exams with my mates. Drinking vodka spoiled the evening. I decided to stop drinking vodka and picked up wines. Later, I realised wine is not the kind of drink one would want to get drunk. I began to appreciate red wines more as I was tasting more wines. Wine pairs well with food and snacks. Some people get head-aches from drinking even a little bit of red wine. I am lucky, I don't have that problem.

I also like some white wines in hot summers. My girlfriend likes dessert wines for their sweetness. She likes wine made of noble rot produced by De Bortoli winery located in Victoria, Australia : http://nobleone.com.au/the-wine.html

[Kazimiera]

Red wine makes my cheeks pull together and gums feel funny, if you know what I mean. It's the tannins.