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South Africa
In the South African winelands, the constant interplay between ancient geology, valley slopes, soaring mountains and coastal breezes results in an extraordinary biodiversity, which is reflected in our indigenous flora. With more than 10 000 plant species, 70% of which are endemic, the Western Cape is recognised as the smallest and the richest of the world’s six great floral kingdoms. The same conditions which support this remarkable biodiversity can in turn support a large spectrum of wine varieties and styles. Most of the Cape’s winegrowing regions are influenced by one of the two mighty oceans which meet at this southernmost tip of Africa: the Atlantic and the Indian oceans.
Combine beneficial maritime influences like regular coastal fog and cooling sea breezes with a moderate Mediterranean climate, distinctive and varied topography, and diverse soils, and you have the ideal conditions in which to create wines of unique character and complexity. Coupled to this, a winemaking tradition and history dating back over 350 years blends the restrained elegance of the Old World with the accessible fruit driven styles of the New, making for wines that eloquently express the unique terroir of the Cape. No wonder that this extraordinary wealth of natural assets and tradition instils South Africa’s wines with a unique sense of place.
WOOD & WINE
Winegrowing Areas
South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa and the Cape winelands are located at the very tip of the continent. The winelands stretch from the rugged mountains and multi-directional slopes of the coastal region to the open plains of the Klein Karoo, where viticulture takes place mainly in the alluvial soils of the riverine valleys. Rainfall on the coastal side, where fynbos and renosterveld vegetation flourish, measures up to 1 000 mm per year. Travel over the mountains and the rainfall decreases dramatically, leaving inland wine producers dependent on irrigation. The vegetation is dominated by hardy succulent plants which survive in these semi-arid conditions.
Currently around 99 463 ha of vines producing wine grapes are under cultivation over an area some 800 km in length. Under the auspices of the Wine of Origin scheme, which came about in 1973 and ensures that South Africa has some of the most intricate and well-established legislation in the New World when it comes to defining wine producing appellations, production zones in the Cape winelands are divided into officially demarcated regions, districts and wards. There are five main regions — Breede River Valley, Cape South Coast, Coastal, Klein Karoo and Olifants River — encompassing 26 diverse districts and some 67 smaller wards, including exciting newer ones like Elim near the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas and Malgas.
