The town of Stellenbosch, founded in 1679, is less than 30 miles from Cape Town. The name means “the place of the star” in Dutch. It is located in the wine region of the same name.
One of South Africa’s oldest wine regions
Phylloxera — a vine disease that destroyed some of the world’s most famous wine regions in the late 19th century — hit Stellenbosch hard, but after replanting with American rootstocks, the region was able to recover and maintain its position as one of South Africa’s oldest wine regions.
You won’t find white wines in Stellenbosch as readily as you’ll find reds. In fact, some estates do not produce any whites at all. However, the region is home to some good examples of what white wines it does produce. Mainstays such as Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are often found on the region’s wine lists, but a few other whites have become popular as well.
Chardonnay has gained popularity in recent years and big names like Meerlust and Jordan have been bottling it since the early 1990s. While many people think of Chardonnay when they think of South Africa, most producers do not make an oaked version, favouring instead to allow the fruit flavours to shine through their blends. While there are exceptions–most notably Ernie Els Wines–most producers use oak sparingly or not at all with their Chardonnays.
Sauvignon Blanc is another popular white wine for Stellenbosch producers and can be found in both single varietal bottlings as well as blends with Semillon or Viognier grapes. Sauvignon Blanc from Stellenbosch tends to be more full-bodied than typical offerings from California or New Zealand, which can make it a great accompaniment to rich dishes like creamy soups and pasta dishes with heavy sauces.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Pinotage
Red varietals are also a key component to South African wines, however the most popular red grapes do not necessarily have to be French. Syrah and Pinotage are two of the most popular red varietals in South Africa, but Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot make up fairly large percentages as well.
Pinotage is a particularly interesting grape native to South Africa. Created by crossing Pinot noir with Cinsault, it has an incredibly distinct flavor that can range from smoky to spicy depending on how it’s aged, but often shares a cherry-like body like its parent. It’s usually enjoyed with lamb dishes or other savory entrees rather than desserts or cheeses. If you want to try something new and explore outside of traditional French varietals, definitely give Pinotage a shot!
Wards in Stellenbosch
The Stellenbosch wine region is divided into nine wards (or “districts”): Bottelary-Klein Bottelary, Devon Valley-Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills-Simonsberg, Pniel-Bergriver Valley-Slanghoek, Banghoek, Simondium – Franschhoek Valley, Helderberg – Somerset West – Strand, Groenekloof – Stellenboschkloof and Jonkershoek. Each ward has its own unique climate, soil and growing conditions.
South Africa’s most well-known wine region outside of Cape Town
The town of Stellenbosch is South Africa’s most well-known wine region outside of Cape Town. The university town is a popular destination for visitors to Cape Town and there are numerous wine estates located within close proximity of the centre. There are many highly regarded restaurants in Stellenbosch, including Overture and Jordan Restaurant, ensuring that you’ll never go hungry while exploring what this fantastic town has to offer. If you’re thinking of visiting Cape Town then you should definitely consider extending your trip by a day or two and adding Stellenbosch to your itinerary – it’s the perfect place for a romantic getaway!