Winegrowing in South Africa began in 1652 with the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck at Cape Town. His mission, on behalf of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), was to establish a supply station on the route from Europe to India. On arrival he noticed the Mediterranean climate and decided to import grape varieties from Europe. He knew that wine kept better than fresh water in barrels on long sea voyages and also had a positive effect against scurvy. In 1655 he planted the first vines, and on 2 February 1659 the first wine was pressed in South Africa. Van Riebeeck urged farmers in the Cape Town area to plant vines, though early attempts often failed due to inexperience.

In 1679 van Riebeeck was replaced by Simon van der Stel. Not only a wine lover, he had profound knowledge of viticulture. On his farm he established the 750-hectare Groot Constantia estate and founded the settlement of Stellenbosch. Constantia was later acquired by the Cloete family, who produced a product of world renown there. The dessert wines from Constantia were highly prized among Europe’s aristocracy.

The arrival of 150 French Huguenots between 1680 and 1690 greatly invigorated winegrowing. Wineries such as Boschendal and Annandale Wines date from this period.
The period from 1700 to 1890

The 18th century was still a learning phase. Early export attempts were not welcomed by established European wine nations. South Africa was punished with a shortage of barrels because not enough could be imported from Europe. Some farmers even used barrels previously used for salted meat. Others used the time to gain experience with varieties and their suitability in different regions.

The first half of the 19th century brought an initial boom. British occupation and the conflict then being waged between the United Kingdom and France opened new markets for South African wine. Over those 50 years production increased tenfold to around 45,000 hectoliters. When the UK and France settled their conflict and the government of William Ewart Gladstone abolished imperial preferential tariffs, the market collapsed in 1861. In addition, many vineyards were attacked by phylloxera in 1886. Ill-considered replanting initially led to overproduction.
South African winegrowing in the 20th century

The period of uncertainty ended in 1918 when Charles Kohler founded the cooperative Kooperative Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika (KWV). Marketing efforts were consolidated, growers were guaranteed an income, and production was regulated.

In 1925 the indigenous variety Pinotage was developed; the first wine of this variety came to market in 1961.

Subsequently, KWV focused on making brandy and fortified wines in the Port style. Markets were limited because South Africa was economically isolated due to apartheid policy. This changed only in the mid-1980s, when import restrictions on vine cuttings were relaxed. With this, South African winegrowing was redefined as internationally known varieties such as Chardonnay and Bordeaux-style reds could be planted. Vineyard area changed little, but existing plantings were partially renewed with higher-quality varieties. In 1992 KWV was relieved of its authority to regulate production; winemakers could now operate freely. Since 1998, vineyard area has increased by around 3,000 hectares per year on average.
Climate and geography

South Africa’s wine regions lie between the 31st and 34th southern parallels, near the Tropic of Capricorn. This zone is actually too warm for viticulture. Near the southwestern coast, however, the influence of a cold ocean current from Antarctica is clearly felt: the Benguela Current.

Because of this, the wine areas—mostly in the Western Cape—enjoy a temperate, maritime climate ideal for quality wine. Harvest time falls between February and April.
Quality wine policy

South Africa has a quality system based on appellations, the Wine of Origin (WO) system, introduced in 1973. It assumes that wine quality is determined both by vineyard site and by the grower (variety selection, viticulture, work in the vineyard). The WO rules intervene in these parameters, and the seal on the bottle guarantees origin, grape variety(ies), and vintage. Oversight and certification rest with the Wine and Spirit Board.

Another regional term is “Estate Wine,” which guarantees that the wine was grown and produced on a registered estate—generally a mark of quality.

The term “Cap Classique” or “Méthode Cap Classique” was introduced in 1992 in South Africa for local sparkling wine made by the traditional Champagne method.
Areas of origin

Geographically, the vineyard area is divided into five units of different size:

1. Single vineyard, not larger than five hectares
2. A grouping of adjacent wine farms
3. Ward (a group of sites sharing soil and microclimate so the wines show regional character)
4. District
5. Wine region

Approved grape varieties

Within the quality policy, only the following varieties are approved: Alicante Bouschet, Auxerrois, Barbera, Bukettraube, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Chardonnay, Chenel, Chenin Blanc (Steen), Cinsault, Clairette Blanche, Colombard, Cornifesto Tinto, Fernão Pires, Furmint, Gamay, Gewürztraminer, Grachen, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Hárslevelű, Kerner, Malbec, Merlot, Meunier (Pinot Meunier), Morio-Muskat, Mourvèdre (Mataro), Müller-Thurgau, Muscat of Alexandria (Hanepoot), Muscat blanc à petits grains (often incorrectly called Muscat de Frontignan), Muscat de Hambourg, Muscat Ottonel, Nebbiolo, Palomino (White French/Fransdruif), Petit Verdot (Verdot), Pinotage, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio), Pinot Noir, Pontac (Teinturier male), Riesling (Cape Riesling/Kaapse Riesling/Crouchen), Roobernet, Roussanne, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc (Blanc Fumé), Schönburger, Semillon (Groendruif), Shiraz (Syrah), Souzão, Sultana (Sultanina/Thompson Seedless), Sylvaner, Tannat, Tempranillo (Tinta Roriz), Therona Riesling, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Francisca, Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional, Ugni blanc (Trebbiano), Verdelho, Viognier and Zinfandel (Primitivo).

If the grape name appears on the label as a varietal wine, at least 75 percent of the wine must come from that variety. From 1 January 2006 this increased to 85 percent.
Vintage statements

Only wines certified by the Wine and Spirit Board (Wyn en Spiritusraad) may indicate a vintage on the label. If a vintage is stated, at least 75 percent of the wine in the bottle must be from that year. On 1 January 2006 this share was raised to 85 percent.
Variety plantings

White varieties account for around 55.8 percent (as of 2007) of vineyard holdings in South Africa. For many years there has been a clear trend away from white and toward red wine. In the last 15 years the red share rose from 16 percent to 44.2 percent, although the current red/white ratio has been stable for about five years (as of 2008).

White varieties:

* Chenin Blanc (19,161 ha planted; 2007), downward trend though stable since 2005
* Sultana (= Thompson Seedless) (9,958 ha). Used both as table grape and for wine.
* Colombard (11,849 ha)
* Sauvignon Blanc (8,872 ha), strong upward trend
* Chardonnay (8,230 ha), upward trend
* Hanepoot (2,427 ha), local name for Muscat of Alexandria; strong downward trend
* Cape Riesling (982 ha), strong downward trend
* Sémillon (1,129 ha), upward trend
* Riesling (240 ha), downward trend
* other white varieties (4,028 ha)

Red varieties:

* Cabernet Sauvignon (13,006 ha), area stable at a high level
* Shiraz (9,856 ha), strong upward trend
* Pinotage (6,139 ha), downward trend
* Merlot (6,719 ha), stable
* Cinsault (2,412 ha), downward trend
* Ruby Cabernet (2,469 ha), stable
* Cabernet Franc (1,019 ha), strong upward trend
* Pinot Noir (648 ha), upward trend
* other red varieties (2,770 ha), upward trend

Wine regions

From a wine perspective, the Western Cape is divided into four regions. These regions are subdivided into 20 districts, and in total 60 wards, with some wards not assigned to a district and some districts not assigned to a region. In the Northern Cape there is one ward and three districts, while KwaZulu-Natal is not yet further subdivided.
Breede River Valley wine region

* District Breedekloof with the wards Goudini, Slanghoek
* District Robertson with the wards Agterkliphoogte, Bonnievale, Boesmansrivier, Eilandia, Hoopsrivier, Klaasvoogds, Le Chasseur, McGregor, Vinkrivier
* District Worcester with the wards Aan-de-Doorns, Hex River Valley, Nuy, Scherpenheuvel
* District Swellendam with the wards Buffeljags, Stormsvlei

Klein Karoo (Little Karoo) wine region

* District Calitzdorp
* District Langeberg-Garcia
* Wards Montagu, Tradouw, Tradouw Highlands, Upper Langkloof and Outeniqua (not assigned to a district)

Coastal Region
Franschhoek Valley

* District Cape Point
* District Tulbagh
* District Tygerberg with the wards Durbanville and Philadelphia
* District Paarl with the wards Franschhoek Valley, Wellington, Simonsberg-Paarl and Voor Paardeberg
* District Stellenbosch with the wards Banghoek, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Polkadraai Hills
* District Swartland with the wards Riebeekberg, Malmesbury
* District Darling with the ward Groenekloof
* Ward Constantia (not assigned to a district)

Olifants River wine region

* District Citrusdal Mountain with the ward Piekenierskloof
* District Citrusdal Valley
* District Lutzville Valley with the ward Koekenaap
* Wards Spruitdrift, Vredendal, Bamboes Bay (not assigned to a district)

Districts and wards not assigned to a region (Western Cape)

* District Overberg with the wards Klein River, Elgin, Greyton, Theewater
* District Walker Bay with the wards Bot River, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Sunday’s Glen
* District Cape Agulhas with the ward Elim
* District Plettenberg Bay
* Wards Cederberg, Ceres, Herbertsdale, Ruiterbosch, Swartberg, Prince Albert Valley, Lamberts Bay (not assigned to a district)

Districts and wards not assigned to a region (Northern Cape)

* District Douglas
* Wards Hartswater, Lower Orange, Rietrivier Fs (not assigned to a district)