South African Wine

South African Wines from Great Wines Direct

South African wines have become a common sight in shops recently and are rising in popularity even among wine experts. However, the history of South African wines dates back to the 17th century when the very first bottle was produced by Jan van Riebeeck in Cape Town. Gaining access to an international market brought fresh investment to South Africa’s wine industry and today, production remains concentrated in the Cape Town area, with major production centres and vineyards in Paarl, Constantia, Worcester and Stellenbosch.

South Africa owns only 1.5% of grape vineyards in the world and has around 270,000 acres dedicated to grape cultivation for wine producing. As such it ranks 17th in the world in terms of vineyards. The country produces around 10 million hl every year which ranks it in the top ten of all the world's wine producing nations.

Although the south western corner of South Africa is traditionally the strong hold of the nation’s wine industry, today, wine is also made in the Western cape and Northern Cape regions as well as the Eastern Cape and KawZulu-Natal regions. The areas along the Orange, Olifants and Breede Valley Rivers are some of the country’s warmest regions and therefore are a key spot for wine distillation and production. Cooler areas to the east of Cape Town and along the coast of the Indian Ocean like Elgin and Walker Bay have also begun to see expansion and further development over the last few years with producers experimenting with the cooler climate and different styles of wines.
Most South African wines are popular because of their excellent value for money, thanks to their distinctive tastes and styles that are powerful, elegant and go perfectly with food.

See our picks at our Top South African Wine blog

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White 13

Swartland Winery, Founders, Western Cape, Chenin Blanc 2024 75cl £11.94

Swartland Founders Chenin Blanc showcases the region's signature expression of this versatile varietal. Sourced from established vineyards in South Africa's Swartland district, this wine delivers crisp acidity balanced with stone fruit and citrus notes. This vintage captures the freshness characteristic of quality Chenin Blanc, making it equally suited to aperitif sipping or pairing with seafood, poultry, and lighter fare. A compelling choice for those seeking authentic South African white wine at an accessible price point.

White 13

Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards, Swartland, Chenin Blanc 2024 75cl £15.16

A refined Chenin Blanc with aromas of tropical fruit, pear and green apple leading to a delightfully fresh palate layered with minerality and a lingering finish

White 13.5

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Thelema Mountain Vineyards Oryx Sauvignon Blanc Viognier 2023 75cl £13.43

Juicy melon and passionfruit, with white peach and apricot, and a crisp and refreshing finish All about fruit expression, this marries the freshness of Sauvignon Blanc to the texture and perfume of Viognier, creating a perfect summer wine This is made from 100% estate-grown fruit, farmed to Thelema's exacting standards

White 14

Lomond Wines, Pincushion, Cape Agulhas, Sauvignon Blanc 2022 75cl £21.53

Intense notes of passionfruit are layered with citrus nuances and the distinctive oyster-shell minerality that comes from the Cape Agulhas vineyards

White 13.5

Lomond Wines, Lomond Estate SSV, Cape Agulhas 2023 75cl £16.16

A refreshing, elegant blend with aromas of gooseberry and citrusy tropical fruit and a hint of spice lifted by a zesty and mouthwatering finish

White 13

Lismore Estate Vineyards, Greyton, Estate Reserve Cuvee Blanc 2022 75cl £53.35

Fragrant aromas of yellow plum, spice and orange blossom lead to a beautifully balanced and crisp palate, with mineral notes and a lemongrass embroidered finish

Red 13.5

Kershaw Wines, GPS Series, Klein River, Syrah 2019 75cl £50.98

Juicy Morello cherry flavours are layered with complex notes of liquorice, gorse bush, baked plums and bay leaf, underpinned by a textured palate and a long, lush finish

Red 13.5

Lismore Estate Vineyards, Cape South Coast, Pinot Noir 2021 75cl £41.68

A vibrant and elegant Pinot Noir with striking fruit purity and attractive aromas of mountain herbs, sweet savoury spice and a touch of wild strawberry Beautiful purity and delicacy of fruit, layered and silky

Red 12.5

Meinert Pinotage 'Printer's Ink' 2019 75cl £16.36

This is a fabulous Pinotage - one of the best we have ever tasted, including examples that cost considerably more than this Pinotage is Pinot Noir crossed with Cinsault, and this wine tastes exactly like that - it has the beautiful hedgerow fruit of Pinot Noir, seasoned with the liquorice and star anise spice of Cinsault Caressing the palate with Pinot's seductive silky softness, it has just a touch more roundness and body A succulent wine with beautiful balance and no hard edges Martin Meinert explained that the 'burnt rubber' flavour associated with Pinotage is in fact the taste of careless winemaking, to which this grape variety is highly sensitive By taking meticulous care of the fruit from picking all the way through the winemaking process, Meinert ensures that we get to experience its true - delicious - character The Printer's Ink name is a tribute to the Meinert family's heritage as master printers in Namibia

Red 13.5

Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards, Swartland, Reserve Red 2021 75cl £20.16

The Reserve Red offers exquisite and vibrant notes of red fruit, herbal notes and lovely depth of flavour, with red and black berried fruit balanced by peppery spice

White 13

Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards, Swartland, Reserve White 2022 75cl £19.90

Delicate aromas of white blossom, ginger and yellow stone fruit are layered with juicy melon Beautifully textured with a mineral core, culminating in a fresh finish

Red 13.5

Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards, Swartland, Shiraz 2022 75cl £15.43

Leeuwenkuil's Shiraz from Swartland showcases the region's signature power and elegance. Dark berries, white pepper, and subtle oak frame a wine with impressive structure and depth. The palate balances ripe fruit intensity with refined tannins, delivering complexity that rewards both immediate enjoyment and careful cellaring. A standout expression of South African Shiraz craftsmanship. A seductively perfumed Shiraz, with aromas of red berries, violets, herbal notes and white pepper through to a fresh and energetic palate with a striking purity of fruit

Red 14

Olifantsberg, Soul of the Mountain The Bull, Breedekloof 2018 75cl £30.84

A wild red blend with notes of sage, spicy bramble and black olive fruit leads to an engaging palate with bright flavours and layered tannins

Red 12

Lismore Estate Vineyards, Greyton, Estate Reserve Syrah 2021 75cl £69.89

A stunning and precise Syrah with perfumed floral notes and bright blueberry and blackberry fruit infused with crushed violets Beautifully textured, elegant and mouthfilling with superb length

Red 14.5

Lomond Wines, Conebush, Cape Agulhas, Syrah 2019 75cl £33.28

A rich, savoury Syrah with appealing notes of plum, oak spice and white pepper, elegant with lovely freshness from its cool climate origins

Red 14.5

Benguela Cove Syrah 75cl £18.98 £19.50

True to the varietal grown in cooler climates, one is lured closer by aromas of Rosemary and Fynbos, a rich perfume and a savoury gloss with hints of pepper spice. Juicy ripe tannins adds structure with a youthful freshness to perch the bold fruit. The fruit follows through beautifully with a salty finish that lingers on the palate.