The Western Cape of South Africa

Known as the Winelands, the Western Cape of South Africa is home to more than 300 vineyards. Mostly a Mediterranean climate with mountains and coastal areas that lend to a great winemaking terroir. Thanks to the trading ships that made their way around the Cape of Good Hope in the 1600’s, the South African Cape became a haven for sailors on their way from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). One of the oldest wine countries outside of Europe, the Dutch settlers and French Huguenots brought wine grapes from their home countries and established vineyards as early as the mid 1600’s. The first recorded vintage was bottled by Jan Van Riebeeck in 1659, a Dutch navigator, ambassador and Colonial administrator, who planted grapes and managed vineyards to produce wine to ward off sickness among the sailors.

There have been ups and downs in the Cape. In 1795 the British invaded South Africa, which led to wine industry growth– with South African wine exported all over the globe, especially Britain. However, as British trade increased with France, South African wine exports declined. Back then the varietal Cinsault was planted for its high yielding fruit. South Africa’s heritage varietal, Pinotage was cultivated and is unique to South Africa, as a cross between the Cinsault grape and Pinot Noir. Developed by Abraham Perold in Stellenbosch in 1925, he was considered one of the regions’ s first enophiles. Production of this varietal continues today, and ranges from light and fruity to rich and complex.

South Africa is considered “New World” in wine speak – alongside Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, the US, and others, due to the climate they come from. New world wines produce fruitier, richer more ripe wine styles, generally higher in alcohol than Old World European style wines. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular wine regions of the Western Cape.

Stellenbosch is 25 miles outside of Cape town, with hot, dry granite and sandstone terroir, exposed hills, sheltered valleys and sufficient rainfall. Both a wine region and a town on the coast with historical significance. Known as “the town of oaks” it is home to Stellenbosch University offering courses in viticulture and enology. There is a Stellenbosch wine route for tourists with over 140 wineries.

Constantia was established in the 1600’s as the first wine region founded by then governor of the Cape of Good Hope, Simon van der Stel. The region was originally known for dessert wine production with Vin de Constance, and later for Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Blanc. In 1679 Simon took over grape growing in Stellenbosch. In 1685 he established the first winemaking farm in an area behind Table Mountain known as Groot Constantia.

Franschhoek was settled over 300 years ago by French Huguenots. Known as “Valley of dreams”, and literally translated to English “French Quarter”- they populated the valley and established farms and businesses with their French culture.

Paarl is the second oldest wine area of the western cape, just north of Stellenbosch. Paarl’s vineyards are located on the northern side of Simonsberg Mountain and the valley of the Berg River. The mountains provide well drained granite and shale soils, where excellent quality wines are produced.

Winemaking was prolific in the Western Cape until the 1880’s when phylloxera arrived, devastating the winemaking industry. It took decades to recover and the beginning of a co op dominated the industry, the KWV. Ko Operative WIjnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid Afika was founded in 1918 to protect growers from the loss of markets after World War I. The co op-maintained export markets, dictated rules of production (backed by the South African government) and even pricing. Eventually trade relations strained over apartheid and forced the KWV to make radical changes. Since the end of apartheid in 1994 when foreign markets re opened to South African goods, KWV lost its control of the export trade. In 1997 KWV went from being a cooperative to a company and today is a major shareholder across various agricultural markets, no longer in control of vineyards.

Wine of Origin was adapted in the 1970’s. When W.O. is on a label together with the name of a production area, it confirms that 100% of the grapes indeed are from that region. It also oversees sustainability and environmental stewardship. Today, there is a thriving grape growing industry with a diverse range of styles due to the microclimates and terroir in South Africa. The French varietals have boomed with innovations and experimentation. Grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah are prolific, but Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely grown varietals, not to mention the heritage Pinotage.

Here are just a few of the great wines from the Western Cape.

BABYLONSTOREN WINERY

This winery is named for the hill on the farm that reminded the first owners of the Tower of Babel, so it was named Babylon’s toren in the 1700’s. The pipe on the logo represents the farm, the flower represents the garden, and the bird represents nature- the philosophy of the family who now runs the farm is truth and simplicity for the earth. The state-of-the-art wine making facility showcases the region’s terroir. Over 230 acres are planted to vine, the Babylonstoren label’s first official vintage was 2011. The winery exports several varietals that we carry here at Ed’s. All of them are stellar examples of the world-renowned wines South Africa is capable of producing.

Chenin Blanc (often referred to as “Steen” in South Africa) shows tropical fruits and melon, elegant and refreshing with flavors of pineapple, and gooseberries. The wine is fruit driven, with a slightly acidic finish. We give it three bones.

Babel is a red blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot hand harvested separately and vinified separately before the blend. Succulent black fruit with a savory edge of graphite and cigar box. Blackberry, mulberry and plum lead to a finish that has a touch of sweet spice and dark chocolate. We give it two bones.

Nebukadnesar is Babylonstoren’s flagship Bordeaux style red blend using all five Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec are vinified

separately and matured in French oak for 23 months before marrying in a tank to meld into perfection before bottling. An intriguing essence of violets and herbs such as thyme, and intense blackberry are up front, then the palate of cigar box, black currant and dark cherry fruit offer a multi layered experience, with silky tannins and a long finish. We give it three bones.

MULDERBOSCH WINERY

Founders Larry Jacob and Mike Dobrovic started this winery in 1989 from the remains of an old fruit farm. Combining classical wine styles with contemporary thinking, an integration of precise farming and techniques in the vineyard to solar powered cellars, Mulderbosch produces award winning wines.

Sauvignon Banc -half of the blend was aged on the lees in neutral barrels, contributing richness and texture. The wine expresses notes of guava, ripe lemons and black currants, with a delicate balance of sweetness and acid on the tongue. We give it two bones.

Faithful Hound Celebrating the virtues of Bordeaux blends, this Stellenbosch is 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc 18% Petite Verdot 18% Merlot and 2% Malbec. Brambleberry, baked rhubarb and plum on the nose with elegant oak maturation and polished tannins on the finish. We give it three bones.

PROTEA WINERY

The Protea is South Africa’s national flower and decorates each bottle. A line of affordable, every day value wines the Pinot Grigio shows pear and stone fruit aromas with gentle flavors of granny smith apple, this wine is light and refreshing. We give it two bones.

GROOT CONSTANTIA

From the very first vineyard sites on the Cape of South Africa this estate has over 90 acres of vineyards. Pinotage grapes were hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was left on the skins for two weeks and then matured in new and used French oak barrels. Bright red with ripe red fruits dominating the nose, sweet oak on the palate with firm tannins. We give it three bones.

We look forward to showing you around the New World wines of the Western Cape of South Africa.

By CRBrown