Why Stellenbosch Remains the Center of South African Premium Wines
The Measure of All Red Things
While new wine regions like Swartland, Elim, and Hemel-en-Aarde are in the spotlight with innovative grape varieties and fresh wine styles, Stellenbosch, the historical center of South African viticulture, often unjustly remains in the background. In his article, Alain Kunz from BLICK shows why Stellenbosch continues to be the measure of all things when it comes to premium wines from South Africa.
The Birthplace of Pinotage
Stellenbosch, South Africa's oldest wine region, is where the country's first Wine Route was established in 1971 and where Bordeaux grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot found a new home. It is also the birthplace of the unique Cape grape variety Pinotage – a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, developed at Stellenbosch University in 1925. Despite the growing popularity of new wine regions, Stellenbosch remains the epitome of quality, tradition, and innovation.
All images by Martina and Alain Kunz for BLICK.
Stellenbosch's Top Wineries: Quality and Tradition United
Alain Kunz introduces outstanding wineries in Stellenbosch that continue to set standards. These include Warwick Estate, known for its iconic Cabernet Sauvignon "Blue Lady," and Longridge, the leading biodynamic winery that focuses on natural wine production without chemical additives. Kanonkop, world-famous for its Pinotage, and Vergelegen, a winery with a rich history and a modern approach, also demonstrate why Stellenbosch remains a constant in viticulture.
At Warwick, a woman is in charge: Christiana von Arnim is the CEO of the winery. Here with winemaker JD Pretorius.
Having fun at the shoot: CJ from Kapweine, Jasper Raats, Alain Kunz from Blick.
Innovation and Diversity: The New Generation of Stellenbosch Winemakers
The article also highlights wineries such as Tokara, which shines with an impressive combination of fine dining and premium wines, and Rainbow’s End, a small family winery that impresses with exceptional quality and innovation. De Trafford and Sijnn in the remote Malgas region, which produce exciting wines from bush vines, also contribute to Stellenbosch's diversity. The Californian-South African joint venture Vilafonté rounds out the selection by creating world-class wines that harness the potential of Africa's oldest soils.
With David Trafford during tasting.
And with Mike Ratcliffe, co-owner of Vilafonté.
Alain Kunz emphasizes that the quality offensive of Stellenbosch wineries since the end of apartheid in 1990 initiated an unparalleled development that continues to this day. This region remains the heart of the South African wine miracle, with wines that consistently achieve top ratings in international rankings.
Reviews
Discover the diversity and quality of wines from Stellenbosch and find out why this region continues to represent the pinnacle of South African viticulture. Read the full article with all of Alain Kunz's reviews on blick.ch and let yourself be inspired to try the best wines of South Africa at KapWeine!
