Western Cape

Western Cape is the geographical area that encompasses the vast majority of South Africa’s winelands. It is made up of six main wine regions in the southwest of the country – Breede River Valley, Cape South Coast, Coastal Region, Klein Karoo, Olifants River and Boberg (this last one is only used for fortified wines from Paarl, Franschhoek and Tulbagh). These production areas, defined in terms of the Wine of Origin scheme, are further divided into 24 diverse districts and around 67 smaller wards.

Western Cape generally enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with the Benguela current from Antarctica making it cooler than latitudes suggest. That said, the varying landscape makes for regional differences not only in the climates but also soils. Take Stellenbosch, for example, probably the most well-known South African wine area (designated under the Coastal Region) – here alone there are more than 50 soil types!

Vine health is aided by the powerful southeaster Cape Doctor wind, which is funnelled by the mountains and lessens humidity, rot and mildew. However, there is a negative side in that this wind can also batter young vines.