Western Cape

Wine from Western Cape

South Africa offers beautiful nature and a wealth of culture, but it's also a unique wine country. One of the most important wine provinces is the Western Cape. Located in the southwestern tip of South Africa, this is where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, creating a perfect climate for viticulture. All wines are produced along the coast, where the hot climate is cooled by the fresh sea breeze. This is also why all the wineries are located along the coast.

History of Western Cape

The Netherlands has played a significant role in the winemaking history of the Western Cape. Around the 17th century, Dutch colonists reached the Cape of Good Hope, bringing wine grapes with them. It took another 40 years or so for the wines to truly break through. But winemakers in the Western Cape also faced setbacks, such as the devastation of vineyards by the phylloxera epidemic. Yet, each time, the winemakers focused on improvement and growth. Furthermore, separate regulations were introduced in 1973. For a long time, there were no specific regulations for winemakers. This ended in 1973 with the establishment of Wine of Origin. This would significantly improve the quality of South African wines. Approximately 70 grape varieties are permitted under this legislation. The name of a grape may only be used on the label if 75 percent of the wine comes from that variety.

The grape varieties in South Africa

Generally, wines from the Western Cape are made from white grape varieties. Chenin Blanc is by far the most widely grown. This grape variety is usually used to make still wines, but sparkling and sweet wines are also made from Chenin Blanc. Thanks to the cool currents from Antarctica, the hot climate is somewhat tempered, resulting in wines often with more acidity than one might expect. In South Africa, the Western Cape is actually the only place where it is relatively cool enough to grow red wine. These red wines are made from Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz. These grapes are all well-suited to the heat.

Unique grape varieties in the Western Cape

A unique grape variety is the Ruby Cabernet, which originated in California. In the 1980s, it found its way to South Africa and has proven to thrive in the sun-drenched climate. Its high yield, perfect terroir, and fruity character have made many winemakers smitten with this remarkable grape. Mountain Ridge Winery is no exception. With their Mountain Ridge Cape Red, they demonstrate the surprising wine they've created from Ruby Cabernet. An accessible wine that will stimulate all your senses. Western Cape is also a great choice for crisp white wines. The Mountain View Cape White is a beautiful example of a full-bodied, refreshing white blend of Chardonnay, Colombard, and Sauvignon Blanc.