Learn More About Wines From Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is the most famous South African wine region, if not the most extensive, accounting for only about one eighth of the country's production. Along with Bordeaux, Douro, Chianti and Napa Valley, it has become one of the "classics" of the wine world and attracts investors from around the world. With its universities, research centres and wine tourism, Stellenbosch remains the country's wine hub, hosting many of the most prestigious estates.

A bit of history?

It is named after the town of the same name, founded in 1679 by the second governor of the Dutch colony of Cape Town, Simon van der Stel.

A bit of geography?

Surrounded by mountains to the east and west and the ocean to the south, the topography of Stellenbosch is very beautiful and varied. Almost all the so-called "international" varieties have been planted here, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in the lead. The climatic conditions are multiple determined by a greater or lesser proximity to the ocean and increased by altitude, since the vineyards have colonised the slopes of the Helderberg or Simonsberg, at an altitude of 600 metres and above.

What are the grape varieties?

Red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinotage, Cabernet Franc

White wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc

PINOTAGE

Discover our selection of the wines made with this South African variety

Le cabernet-sauvignon et le sauvignon sont les cépages les plus plantés à Stellenbosch

Shall we taste?

Red wines:

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape variety in Stellenbosch and has done much to enhance the reputation of the region's wines. The most prestigious wines, aged in French or American barrels, are made from this variety, used alone or in a blend with the other Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Franc and Merlot in particular) or with Syrah or even Pinotage.

The wines from this region cannot be reduced to this style, but the great Stellenbosch Cabernets display a real elegance, offering a compromise between fairly ripe fruit and a firm structure, without heaviness. The most renowned age well, developing a complexity and refinement that brings them closer to the great Bordeaux wines from warm years. The region also produces supple and fruity Cabernets, sometimes with vegetal notes, which are meant to be drunk young. Stellenbosch offers other types of wine too: some of the best Pinotage wines in South Africa come from here, while the fashion is for Syrah, which gives full, rich and fruity wines.

White wines:

Sauvignon Blanc is now the most widely planted grape variety. In the cooler areas, the wines are aromatic and lively, mostly aged in vats.

Some fine Chenin Blancs are also produced here, as well as Chardonnays that can be elegantly opulent and toasty in the top range.

Service temperatures:

16-17°C for the reds 9-12°C for the whites

Ageing potential for the red wines:

1 to 5 years (simple wines) and up to 20 years (more prestigious wines made mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon)

Ageing potential for the white wines:

1 to 5 years