Bot River
Known for producing delicate wines with pure fruit flavours, Bot River falls within the Cape South Coast Region of South Africa. Bordering on Elgin, Bot River is considered to be the gateway to Walker Bay and has its own maritime microclimate. The uniqueness of the region’s wines comes from the cool ocean breezes that regularly blow over the vineyards, while the wines structure and concentration of flavours comes from the regions soft sandy soil which is made up of Bokkeveld shale and Table Mountain sandstone. The remote positioning of the regions vineyards mean they stay largely virus-free. Our favourite wine farms from this area include Catchpole & Co. and Gabrielskloof.
Elgin
One of the coolest pockets in the Cape South Coast region, Elgin sits in a basin of the Hottentots Holland mountain range at a cool 280m – 450m above sea level. Known for its delectable and bold Sauvignon Blancs, the area’s soils are made up of sandstone, granite and shale. The prevailing winds (the Cape’s famous ‘Black Southeaster’) greatly influence the temperatures in this area resulting in the late ripening of the grape varieties which renders higher acid structure and purer fruit flavours in the wines. Our favourite wine from this region is currently the Radford Dale Freedom Pinot Noir – enjoying a bottle would not be complete without allowing your thoughts to wander to the magic of this quaint and romantic gem of the Western Cape.
Durbanville
Classified within the Coastal Region of the Western Cape, wineries of the Durbanville ward produce a wide variety of wine styles including the much sought-after Sauvignon Blancs that show expressive fruit and nettle flavour profiles. The areas tantalising reds express softer texture and are drinkable from an early age.
Certain vineyards grow at altitudes of 350m and enjoy long sunlight hours that assist in the ripening of the fruit and the full-bodied wines that we have come to expect from the area. Its unobstructed exposure to the Atlantic Ocean and False Bay provide Durbanville farms with cool summer breezes.
Both sheltered and warmer sites are cultivated to optimally ripen hardy reds as well as heat-sensitive white varieties. Enjoy the wines we have selected for you whilst envisaging the lush green vineyards that grow in perfect view of the majestic Table Mountain. A perfect example of one of this regions wines would be the award-winning Kronendal blend ‘Mirari’.
Paarl
In contrast to its shining sibling Stellenbosch, Paarl is a wine region often not credited with the attention it deserves. It produces some wonderful bold and fruity examples of wine varietals due to the regions very hot growing seasons. Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay perform exceptionally well here.
One of Paarl’s most notable features is Paarlberg (Pearl rock) with its smooth granite surface that glistens in the early morning sunlight – and especially after it has rained. Granite along with sandstone and shale form the three soil types of the area.
Summers are long and hot in this region, where the best wines are produced from the higher vineyard sites – benefitting from airflow and cooler ripening periods. Nelson’s Wine Estate, Marcel De Reuck and Freedom Hill are our top choices to bring you expressive wines with complexity, elegance and an abundance of mouth-watering flavours.
Stellenbosch
Often regarded as the wine capital of South Africa, Stellenbosch offers a vast array of wines for everyone and every occasion: white, red, sparkling and dessert wines. Wine making here dates back to the late 1600s and only gets better with each passing year.
Classified within the Coastal Region, Stellenbosch boasts a diversity of terroirs, adequate rainfall and various mountainous terrains (up to 400m), each contributing towards exquisite examples of the noble grape varieties. The various pockets within the Stellenbosch region have a mesoclimate thanks to the proximity to the sea, cool winds, warm summer days and granite soils with good drainage capabilities.
The oldest wine route in South Africa, Stellenbosch attracts tourists from around the globe with its colourful history, oak-lined avenues and mesmerising wines. Amani and The Winery of Good Hope will bring you a perfect taste of Stellenbosch.
Swartland
The Swartland is a vast wine area, categorised under the Coastal Region, and home to some of the best Rhône varietal wines. Literally translated to mean the black land, it is noted for the indigenous renoster bush (rhino bush) that would turn the landscape a dark colour at certain periods during the year.
Known predominantly for its full-bodied, weighty red wines (particularly Shiraz) and mouth-watering fortified wines, the Swartland offers differing varieties such as Viognier, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Carignan, to name a few, where a natural wild-scrub character is recognisable in all the wines.
Shale and sandstone from the surrounding mountains (some a whopping 950m above sea level) coupled with long warm days and water scarcity elicit wines with full aromatics and robust fruit. Our Swartland wine choice for you is the Radford Dale Black Rock – this wine is silky smooth with developing complexity and balanced structure, made in a seductive Rhône style. We currently stock Radford Dale Black Rock the 2013 vintage which boasts a 5-Stars rating in John Platter.
Rawsonville
Rawsonville falls within the Breede River Valley region. Founded in 1859 and named after the Cape colonial secretary, William Rawson, it is a small wine growing area situated in a beautiful section of the valley with the majestic Du Toitskloof Mountains as its backdrop.
Summers are warm and dry here, often encroaching on 40 degrees in February and March. In contrast, winters can bring frost and snowfall. As with the temperature variants, wines from the Rawsonville region can also be extreme in both flavour profiles and body.
Lightly textured alluvial and sandy soils can be found in the region along with heavy textured reddish-brown soils on the higher foothills. A wide variety of wines come from the area –from refreshing bubbly to crisp whites, fruity, elegant reds and lusciously perfumed dessert wines. There’s a little something for everyone from this idyllic area. Our ever-popular Opstal Hanepoot hails from here.
Robertson
Situated in the Breede River Valley, which is the lifeblood of the region, Robertson is a particularly warm region with low rainfall. Less than 100km from Agulhas (the southern most point of Africa), south-easterly winds blow into the valley cooling down the vineyards significantly.
Known romantically as the valley of wine and roses, Robertson is well known for its Chardonnay, robust reds and delectable fortified dessert wines. Soil types are sandy, alluvial and with outcrops of limestone – inducing the refreshing chalky/mineral character in their Chardonnays. Nectarine, peach, melon and citrus elements are present in these, intertwined with fresh minerality and a smooth buttery-nuttiness from the oak.
The Sauvignon Blancs will have you reaching for your glass time and again with aromas of passion fruit, fresh asparagus and a zesty mouth-feel. The reds are fragrant of sweet spice and dark berries with integrated tannins and a long finish. By the end of the bottle, you may well be planning a visit to this special region. Our flagship estate, Major’s Hill, is situated here and represents some of the best that Robertson wines have to offer.