Wineries In South Africa

South African wine has a history dating back to 1659, with the first bottle produced in Cape Town by its founder Jan van Riebeeck. Access to international markets led to new investment in the South African wine market. Production is concentrated around Cape Town, with major vineyard and production centres at Constantia, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester. There are about 60 appellations within the Wine of Origin (WO) system, which was implemented in 1973 with a hierarchy of designated production regions, districts and wards. WO wines must only contain grapes from the specific area of origin. “Single vineyard” wines must come from a defined area of less than 5 hectares. An “Estate Wine” can come from adjacent farms if they are farmed together and wine is produced on site. A ward is an area with a distinctive soil type or climate and is roughly equivalent to a European appellation.

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1.Babylonstoren

In front of the impressive scenery of the Simonsberg and the Franschhoek Mountains, the Babylonstoren winery stretches out. Its origins date back to 1692, when Pieter van der Byl planted the first vineyards on the farm and made irrigation possible by converting the canals. Some of these old structures have survived to this day, as has the Cape Dutch architecture of the Manor House or the former cowshed where the Babel Restaurant is located, because a few years ago the new owners Koos Bekker and his wife Karen Roos restored the winery – and the historic fruit and wine farm took a turn. Today Babylonstoren is one of the best preserved Cape Dutch-style wineries.

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2. L’ Avenir

L’Avenir’s rich history dates back to the late 1600s, when the estate was one of the very first sites identified for grape growing by the Cape’s earliest European settlers. The estate was renamed L’Avenir in 1992 by Mark Wiehe, a Mauritian businessman, who left a career of trading sugar in London to purchase the farm.  This was the start of specialisation of this unique boutique winery. Wiehe appointed former pharmacist Francois Naude as winemaker and the estate swiftly gained recognition for its distinctive Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. In 2005, L’Avenir was acquired by the owner of the prestigious Chablis property, Laroche, Chablisien Michel Laroche.

L’Avenir is a leading Stellenbosch boutique winery that specialises in South Africa’s emblematic varietals: Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. Situated four kilometres from Stellenbosch on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, the estate is right in the heart of South Africa’s most revered wine appellation. Owned by the French leader of terroir wines, AdVini, L’Avenir  produces authentic South African wines, with a touch of French flair. L’Avenir’s wines have gained a passionate following, locally and globally. The wines are exported to over 30 countries, with a specific focus on prestigious restaurants and specialist wine shops.

3. Lanzerac

Steeped in history dating back to 1692, Lanzerac Wine Estate is a historic landmark and Stellenbosch icon. The grande dame is synonymous with old-world charm and rich Cape heritage. Positioned in the idyllic Jonkershoek Valley on the outskirts of the historical town of Stellenbosch, the Estate boasts views of dramatic mountain ranges, endless rows of lush vineyards and hectares of gardens shaded by giant Oak trees.

The homestead was transformed into a manor house in 1959 – reminiscent of the traditional French way of fusing a country hotel and wine estate. Today the iconic property hosts an elegant five-star Country hotel, acclaimed bars, restaurants and Deli, a remarkable tasting venue and a chic day spa.