The 6 Top Wines in South Africa and Where To Try Them

There are a few things South Africa and France have in common. A fierce rugby team, strong opinions of the English, and excellent wine. And my one big regret in life is that it took me too long to fully appreciate the latter.

South Africa has been making wine for more than 300 years and today it is one of the most popular tourism opportunities for thirsty Travelers. The undulating vineyards are framed by colossal mountains to the one side and the cool Atlantic to the other, creating several key climates to produce world-class wines but also painting the most scenic vistas imaginable.

But here, you can also forget about the “exclusivity” stereotype that comes with vineyards. Wines in South Africa are accessible and cellars offer experiences catering to every type of Traveler. Whether you want a down-to-earth and relaxed atmosphere or a top-tier glitzy estate experience, there is a wine and wine farm for everyone.

I have made my rounds through much of the Cape’s Winelands but can’t even come close to saying I’ve seen it all. With more than 500 farms, there is always something new waiting! But what I can tell you is the best varietals you simply must try and where you could potentially enjoy some of the best experiences.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is the most widely grown grape in South Africa and is also the most popular wine. Nothing goes down easier than a cool glass of Chenin on a hot South African day! The magic of Chenin Blanc is that it is highly versatile and it can range from light and crisp to full-bodied and oaky.

It is widely planted across South Africa and particularly excels in Stellenbosch, Swartland, and the Coastal Region. The cool climate along the West Coast delivers one of my favorite offerings, Donkiesbaai Steen, a wine from Guardian Peak Cellars.

This fabulous winery is situated at the foot of the Stellenbosch mountains and its outstanding food menu is only rivaled by its excellent wine selection.

The Chenin from Donkiesbaai is grown from Old Bush Vines, meaning these vines have been around for decades, produce a small amount of grapes, but guarantee some of the finest quality fruits. Its aromas of candied lemon peel and shortbread deliver a smooth finish where all the flavors come together in perfect harmony.

PRO TIP: Chenin Blanc wines are best enjoyed with a fresh salad that has some creamy elements like goat cheese or with chicken or risotto.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Red wine drinkers, unite! Cab Sav is the king of red wines and not to be taken lightly. But the warm sunny mountainous environments around Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek are the ideal landscapes for this Bordeaux-style wine.

Some of the technicalities that make the Stellenbosch region so special is the Atlantic air that cools the slopes ever so slightly, extending the ripening period and producing fruit with much more depth.

Ernie Els is one of the world’s foremost golfers but he also has one of the most esteemed estates in Stellenbosch. The tasting room has one of the most spectacular views across the valley and guests love the putting green where you can try to score a hole-in-one (spoiler alert, it’s easier BEFORE you start tasting the wine).

Their Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a personal favorite and I return time and time again to try different vintages of their bold and fearless reds.

PRO TIP: South Africa’s meat offerings are second to none and you want to pair your sophisticated Cabernet Sauvignon with a juicy steak or lamb potjie, a traditional favorite.

Pinotage

If this one sounds foreign to you, it is because it is! Pinotage is an endemic South African grape, cultivated as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault (formerly known as Hermitage). It is full-bodied with lots of tannins but buyer be warned, this is not a wine you want to cheap out on. It is beautifully complex but it takes an exceptional winemaker to bring it to its full potential.

One of my favorite Pinotage experiences came from Clos Malverne, a stunning wine farm in Stellenbosch’s Devon Valley. This farm offers an ice cream and wine pairing that is every bit as weird and decadent as it sounds.

The menu changes seasonally but their extensive range of Pinotages are a regular feature thanks to their versatility. A standout was their Chocolate and coffee ice cream paired with Pinotage Le Café coffee edition.

PRO TIP: An easy-drinking Pinotage can be casual and even compliments the humble pepperoni pizza. But try a Pinotage MCC for a special experience that is exclusive to South Africa.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a controversial offering that used to be appreciated only by the few. Its buttery nature makes it thick and pungent, not characteristics commonly associated with white wines. South Africa’s Chardonnay can vary but often features the cool climate variety’s hallmark crispness and depth, with coastal iNFLuences bringing out a refined quality​​.

There is a Chardonnay renaissance afoot and the remarkable climate of the Hemel & Aarde Valley is the perfect incubator for this exceptional wine.

Ataraxia is an award-winning small winery in the Hemel & Aarde Valley and their Chardonnay has been reaping awards as far as it goes. It is unapologetically bold with a unique green-tinted yellow hue due to extensive oxygenation before fermentation.

It is stored in French Oak barrels all the way from Burgundy, Chardonnay’s place of origin. Ataraxia only offers a small wine selection but you know the few that they do, they do exceptionally well.

PRO TIP: A full-bodied Chardonnay is not for everyone but many farms offer unwooded Chardonnay for a more easy drinking experience, offering a gateway into the complex world of buttery whites.

Méthode Cap Classique

Everyone yearns for a delicate glass of champagne but in my very humble opinion, South Africa’s MCC Game is equally as strong (if not superior). These bottles of bubbly are made according to the classic methods of champagne making with bottle fermentation instead of carbon dioxide infusion.

You can find spectacular MCCs all around with the most common blends being chardonnay and pinot noir to create perfectly balanced Brut bottles.

Graham Beck is one of the heavy hitters in the Game and sits in the Breede River Valley near Robertson. Their Brut is so desirable that it was used at both Nelson Mandela’s inauguration and Barack Obama’s presidential win!

Franschhoek’s wine farms also have celebrated MCCs and one of the oldest can be found at Haute Cabriere. Their Pierre Jourdan wines date back to the late 1600s but it is undoubtedly the view from this estate that is the most impressive.

Another firm favorite is Domaine Des Dieux, a boutique winery in the Hemel & Aarde Valley. As previously mentioned, this region is renowned for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and this precious winery has taken full advantage of this.

Their Claudia Brut consists of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, aged for 72 months to form an unbelievably creamy and elegant MCC.

PRO TIP: J.C. Le Roux is South Africa’s most popular commercial sparkling wine but they also offer an MCC. The wines are fun and easy to drink but they offer nougat and sparkling wine pairing that is a fun variation from normal tasting menus.

Shiraz

Shiraz, or Syrah (depending on who you ask) is another of the ultra-popular red wines from South Africa. Known globally for its dark spiced fruit flavors and chocolate-like richness, South African Shiraz blends the best of New World intensity with subtle Old World elegance.

The grape thrives in various South African regions, from the cooler, savory-producing areas like Stellenbosch and Paarl to the warmer, richly intense climates of Robertson and Swartland. This variance results in a spectrum of Shiraz wines, offering everything from pepper and spice to lush berry and chocolate notes, catering to a wide range of palates.

A favorite red wine farm of mine is Alto, a small wine farm at the foot of the Helderberg, offering only five wines. Despite their size, they are one of the most respected producers in the country and they were established all the way back in 1693. Alto offers a truly unique South African experience with a biltong and wine pairing. The rich flavors of this staple snack pair perfectly with the spice-laden notes of their elegant Shiraz.

PRO TIP: If meat isn’t your thing, try Alto’s smoked cheese pairing. The wooded characters from the smoked cheese are the perfect complement to Shiraz, helping to develop the tobacco notes of the wine.