How South Africa is redefining its Terroir
A Vintage That Tells Stories
Few wine countries have developed as dynamically over the past two decades as South Africa. The new Top 100 Wines of South Africa 2025 Report by James Suckling impressively shows how deeply rooted this modernisation has become and how strongly historic vineyards, new stylistic approaches, and a distinctive terroir language now come together. South Africa is no longer just an insider tip — it is a country redefining its identity in the glass.
Terroir Over Technique – The New Philosophy
What was once considered “New World” now feels remarkably Old World. Many of South Africa’s finest wines are rooted in dry-farmed bush vines, historic plantings, and a cellar philosophy grounded in restraint. Winemaking greats such as Eben Sadie, Andrea Mullineux, and David Sadie rely on minimal intervention and maximum precision.
Their wines convey tension rather than weight, salinity instead of sweetness, origin over technique – a style that makes South Africa internationally competitive and gives the country a newly defined identity.
Stellenbosch & Beyond – Diversity as a Strength
But South Africa is far more than Swartland. The regions around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and the Cape South Coast produce impressive white and red wines year after year that clearly stand out from international styles.
A strong example is the Stellenrust The Mothership 2024 from Stellenbosch. With 95 points, this old-vine Chenin Blanc shows how precisely and powerfully the variety can be interpreted here. The combination of freshness, texture, and depth makes Chenin Blanc the country’s flagship white grape.
Other areas such as Hemel-en-Aarde with its elegant Pinot Noir style, or Franschhoek with its historic Semillon plantings, also demonstrate the country’s remarkable diversity. And it is precisely this diversity that is one of the reasons South Africa performs so strongly in the current report.
Swartland: The Beating Heart of Modern Wine Culture
No report on South Africa is complete without the Swartland. The vineyards lie on sparse granite and schist soils, shaped by wind, drought, and low yields. These exact conditions create the aromatic intensity and structure that explain many of the top scores.
2023 was also an exceptional vintage. While other regions struggled with rain, the Swartland remained largely unaffected. The result: dense, precise, energetic wines – including some of the highest-rated in the entire ranking.
Examples include Sadie Family Columella 2023 (98 points) and Porseleinberg 2023 (97 points). Both show, in their own way, how characterful Syrah and Mediterranean varieties can be in this region. They stand as prime examples of the style that defines South Africa on the world stage today.
Historic Icons and Modern Visions
South Africa’s wine world unites tradition and innovation like few other countries. Historic vineyards, centuries-old architecture, and long-established practices form the foundation on which a new generation of winemakers is boldly building. At the same time, modern styles, precise terroir interpretations, and minimalist cellar work shape today’s understanding of quality.
The current ratings impressively show how wide this spectrum has become. Classic wines with deep roots stand harmoniously alongside dynamic, modern interpretations that reflect their origins more clearly than ever before. It is precisely this interplay of history and future that defines the fascination of South Africa’s wine landscape — and explains why it continues to gain international attention.
Three Outstanding Representatives of the New South African Style
The following wines are among the highest-rated of the year and exemplify South Africa’s remarkable development. They represent three regions, three philosophies, and one shared vision: making terroir visible in the glass.
Top Rating
SADIE FAMILY
Columella – 2023
CHF 119.00 instead of CHF 129.00
98 points by James Suckling
Top Rating
PORSELEINBERG
by Boekenhoutskloof – 2023
CHF 69.00 instead of CHF 79.00
97 points by James Suckling
Vinous
LOURENS FAMILY
Lindi Carien – 2023
CHF 17.90 instead of CHF 29.90
95 points by James Suckling
Conclusion: A Wine Country on Its Way to the Global Elite
The James Suckling Report 2025 highlights impressively how seriously South Africa must now be taken. Whether historic icons or modern terroir-driven wines — the country combines innovation, authenticity, and outstanding value like few others.
If you’re looking for wines with character, depth, and personality, you cannot overlook South Africa. And for those who want to experience it firsthand, you’ll find a selection of the year’s most exciting wines right here.
