Wines of the World Series: Spotlight on South Africa 🇿🇦
We’re excited to start the 🌍🍷 “Wines of the World Series” with a spotlight on South Africa (SA). Over the coming weeks, we’ll spotlight key regions and varieties with the resources from Wines of South Africa, who have generously agreed to share their content with the Berlin Wine School community. 📖 South Africa key facts:
Winemaking dates to 1659 (➡️ Cape Wine history)
Wine production is centered in the Western Cape, near the coast. (➡️ Winegrowing areas)
Wine of Origin Scheme regulates production, including labelling.
Climate is influenced by the cooling effects of the Atlantic and Southern oceans and winds such as the famous south-eastern “Cape Doctor”.
As of 2023, SA had 87 848 ha of wine producing area and ranked 7th globally with 933.8 m liters produced. *
White varieties slightly outnumber red varieties (55% vs 45%) with Chenin Blanc (18,4%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10,4%) being the most planted.*
Pinotage, a local crossing between Pinot Noir and Hermitage (Cinsault), is a signature variety to remember.
For an overview of SA producers visit the Wines of South Africa Member Index.
*As of 2023 and per data available on Wines of South Africa.
🔎Did you know:
Some of the first plantings brought to SA were from Rhineland and Riesling is still grown in some regions.
SA has the most Chenin Blanc plantings in the world – 16 192 ha (2023)
SA’s iconic sweet wine “Vin de Constance” has been in high demand with historical figures such as Chancelor Bismark, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens or Napoleon Bonaparte who reportedly drank it during his exile on St. Helena and refused to drink anything else on his deathbed.
The 2025 vintage has been rated exceptional. keep an eye out for these wines as they arrive to the market!
When in SA, you often hear the term “block” instead of “vineyard”.
🎓Want to learn more?
Free online wine course (2 levels) is available on the Wines of South Africa website, you need to register to access the course.
In the next weeks, we’ll be presenting selected regions in this group, stay tuned and share your thoughts, questions and experiences with South African wines!
All data and resources courtesy of Wines of South Africa.