Coastal Region Wine

Coastal Region: Winegrowing between mountains and sea

Mediterranean climate and high humidity provide the best conditions for the Coastal Region wine. No matter where the discovery tour across the winegrowing area around Cape Town takes you - you are never more than 50 kilometres from the sea. Can you smell the Atlantic Ocean?

Coastal Region: Three centuries of wine culture

There was a time when wines from South Africa could hardly find their way to the lowest supermarket shelves - most of them were processed directly into brandy. Now, South African red wines and white wines, grown on around 100,000 hectares, are at the top of the list. It's a long way, because the Dutchman Jan van Riebeeck planted the first vines there as early as the middle of the 17th century. Then the French arrived, also with vines and know-how in their luggage. From the 18th to 19th century, Cape Town made a name for itself with a dessert wine called Constantia - and sweet competition to the Hungarian Tokaj. Until phylloxera put a temporary end to winegrowing. Today, wine lovers around the globe appreciate the Coastal Region for its dry red and white wines. But also delicious sparkling wines, sweet wines and sherries come from here.

Winegrowing in the Western Cape: a little bit of geography

The Boland mountains form the border of a wine region of over 30,000 hectares of vineyards, whose numerous districts line up like a string of pearls along the west coast. Wine growing in the Western Cape is divided into four regions, which are divided into 20 districts with 60 further areas in total. Connoisseurs around the world have long been listening in expectation of names like Franschhoek Valley or the District of Stellenbosch. 

Mediterranean climate, soils from sand to clay

Hot summers with little rain allow sun-kissed, full-bodied grapes to thrive. Located directly at the sea and Benguela stream, fresh wind provides the necessary cooling. Different soil types characterise the Coastal Region. Further inland, red, moist clay soil dominates. But the closer the coast gets, the lighter and sandier, calcareous and rockier the soils become. As the soil, so the taste experience: the spectrum in the Coastal Region produces the most diverse wines - from Chenin Blanc to Pinotage.

Knowing how wine works - in the Napa Valley of South Africa

Vineyards in front of huge granite rocks: this postcard motif shows that we are in the centre of wine tourism. Stellenbosch is virtually the Napa Valley of South Africa - and even has its own wine university. The number of wine producers is huge. How do you find the best wine there? The secret: the prize winners mostly come from wineries that sit on the ice-age alluvial fans of the granite rocks. Accordingly, the wines that grow there are characterised by a subtle mineral note.

Typical Coastal Region wine: These are the grape varieties

Typical for the Coastal region are the varied growing conditions, which produce interesting characteristics. Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon are the grape varieties most widely grown in South Africa. In contrast to its fruity Californian counterpart, Cabernet in South Africa is more complex, likes pepper, and is rounded off with blackberry and plum. Merlot, by the way, is often mixed with Cabernet Sauvignon, but is also found in pure culture in the Coastal region. Many of the dry white wines from the Chenin Blanc grape variety still end up as brandy. But the international interest in this grape - peachy and flowery - is growing. Why not swap your Pinot Gris for a sparkling Chenin Blanc from the inland of the Coastal Region. This is also the home of Pinotage and Shiraz. Other wines are made from Sémillon, Riesling or Muscat. Or Chardonnay, which actually likes a cooler climate, but which can also cope with the temperatures along the coast. Also the Sauvignon Blanc, pure freshness with a touch of grapefruit, which reminds of wines from New Zealand, but is more attractive in price, thrives directly at the sea. 

Coastal Region Wine: The Whites

The Coastal region delights both passionate wine connoisseurs and the curious. Warwick in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch not only combines Cabernet and Merlot to create storable products, but also supplies citrusy white wines such as Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Fancy a pure Sauvignon Blanc Coastal from Buitenverwachting for an evening on the balcony? Its delicate fruit aroma of apples, grapefruit and a little gooseberry refreshes with refinement. Enjoy the white wines of the Coastal region with carpaccio, scallops, smoked trout or bouillabaisse - or simply with a little grilled goat's cheese on a fresh salad.

Coastal Region Wine: The Reds

Simonsberg-Stellenbosch: Deep reddish clay soils here produce intense red wines that can tolerate a few years in the cellar to allow their tannins to reach perfection. To then taste of currant, black cherry, cedar and a little tobacco. You like it spicier? Then Pinotage is your variety. Or highly elegant? Try the Meifort von Buitenverwachting, a stylish blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot - with a warm bouquet of cherries and plums, rounded off by notes of wood. No wonder that this Meifort is a favourite with game dishes from saddle of venison to pheasant. Power and finesse? The velvety, delicately spicy Christine is a successful combination when drunk between 15 and 18 degrees - blackberry, vanilla and a great appearance, with a ten-year shelf life.

Order Coastal Region wines online at VINELLO

Would you like to create your own discovery tour of the Coastal Region? Just browse through our product range - VINELLO has many wonderful classics and exciting new discoveries in its programme. Discover the variety of wines and also benefit from our sommelier advice. Secure purchasing and guaranteed prompt delivery ensure that your enjoyment journey can begin quickly and takes you straight to the wine pleasure.