In other words, Stellenbosch is a wine lover's paradise. The very first vines in South Africa were planted by a Dutchman, and now the wines here are renowned worldwide. Four mountain ranges combine to create a stunning landscape covered with even more beautiful vineyards.

The foundation for the great winemakers

Winemaking in Stellenbosch dates back to the 17th century. However, the first wines from that period were of poor quality, mainly due to a lack of wine knowledge. A decade later, Simon van der Stel made significant strides in viticulture, improving the quality. Despite this, viticulture didn't truly flourish until the arrival of the French Huguenots in South Africa. Thanks to French winemaking methods, the quality of South African wine experienced a dramatic boost. Fortunately, the rest is history. Several important institutions are now located in Stellenbosch, such as the University, which has a department of viticulture and oenology. Many of the most successful winemakers were trained here.

The unique qualities of Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch boasts three distinct soil types: Table Mountain sandstone, which is an ideal base for white wines; around the Eerstriviers valley, we find soil types like Hutton and Clovelly; and in eastern Stellenbosch, granite is predominant, perfect for red wines. This, combined with an optimal climate, results in well-developed grapes with unique characteristics. Stellenbosch boasts several mesoclimates. Stellenbosch is predominantly cool with ample rainfall, though summers can be quite hot and dry. This makes the environment perfect for most major grape varieties. For example, we primarily find Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz, and Pinotage; and for white wines, Chardonnay and, of course, Sauvignon Blanc.

Great wines from Stellenbosch

Thanks to the varying elevations, the influence of the nearby ocean, and the soil composition, each vineyard offers unique wines. Stellenbosch is divided into smaller wards: Simonsberg, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Bottelary, Banghoek, Devon Valley, and Polkadraai. Each has its own characteristic terroir, resulting in unique wines. Some of the finest South African wines from Stellenbosch are produced by Meerlust. Their vineyards near False Bay produce beautiful grapes and even more beautiful wines. One of their most famous wines is by far the Meerlust Rubicon. This blended wine produces a complex, rich, and highly concentrated wine.

Although the focus is primarily on red wine, they also produce beautiful white wines. Take, for example, the Grande Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc from Boschendal Winery. This winery is one of the finest in South Africa, producing exquisite wines in the Western Cape. The winery was rewarded for its efforts with this award-winning Cuvée. This intensely aromatic wine is made from only the finest grapes. The Sauvignon Blanc is very ripe and fresh, with beautiful fruity notes. Waterkloof is also a major player in Stellenbosch, South Africa. In short, there are plenty of large wineries with even more beautiful wines to be found in Southern Africa. Exceptional and unique grapes form the basis for high-quality wines here.