Neal Martin’s perspective on a wine country full of energy

Day by Day South Africa 2025 – Neal Martin’s Journey Through a Wine Country on the Rise

A vintage that tells stories

Neal Martin doesn’t just travel through the Cape — he lives it. His report this year is more than a collection of tasting notes. It is a travel diary full of encounters, biodiversity, humour, and insights. Right at the beginning, he experiences a moment that perfectly captures the essence of South Africa:

“For the first of many times, I wonder if there is a typo in the price list. Really? Is that all? For wine that good?”

This blend of world-class quality and astonishing value runs like a common thread throughout his entire journey.

Cool-Climate Stars: The Cape’s New Elegance

Neal Martin sees some of the country’s most exciting developments taking place in the cool coastal regions. Thanks to maritime influences and precise vineyard work, Chardonnays and Pinots with impressive freshness and clarity are emerging. For Martin, they embody a style that competes internationally while remaining distinctly South African. Elegant, energetic, and unmistakably shaped by the Cape.

Between Luxury and Down-to-Earth Authenticity

On the Helshoogte Pass, Martin visits the icons Delaire Graff, Capensis, and Tokara — an area he describes as the “Tenderloin” of luxury wine estates.

He acknowledges the perfection of the wines, often shaped by a California-inspired style and international ambition, while noting that the goal here is not to push boundaries but to deliver immaculate quality. A deliberately different expression of Cape wine — crafted for an audience that appreciates polished elegance.

Despite the Challenges – A Country Full of Optimism

Despite wind, drought, politics, and economic turbulence, the spirit of the Cape remains unshakable:

“South Africa is never boring… it is the eternal optimist.”

Winemakers work day by day — with passion, humour, and a focus on what truly matters.

“South African winemakers are just taking life day by day.”

And it is precisely this daily dedication that makes South Africa’s wine world so captivating: a country that proves anew with every vintage just how much heart, resilience, and passion are poured into its wines.

Three Wines That Particularly Impressed Neal Martin

Discover selected wines from Neal Martin’s 2025 South Africa report — including top scores and exceptional value-for-money recommendations, all available directly at Kapweine.

Conclusion: South Africa 2025 – A Wine Country That Continues to Surprise the World

Neal Martin’s report is a tribute to the Cape: a country that shines with biodiversity, creativity, and remarkable personalities. A country that comes astonishingly close to Burgundy in both white and red, yet maintains its own unmistakable identity. A country that delivers premium quality, not driven by price, but by passion.

For Kapweine, this report is a gift: clear proof that South Africa remains one of the most exciting wine hotspots in the world.