Wine regions of South Africa
The wine regions of South Africa were delineated under the "Wine of Origin" (Wyn van Oorsprong) legislation enacted in 1973. Sharing some similarities with the French Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system, all South African wines listing a "Wine of Origin" must be composed entirely of grapes grown in that region.[1] The "Wine of Origins" (WO) program legislates how wine regions of South Africa are defined and can appear on wine labels. While some aspects of the WO is taking from the French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system, the WO is primarily concern with accuracy in labeling and doesn't place any additional regulations on wine regions such as permitted varieties, trellising methods, irrigation and crop yields. Wine regions under the WO system fall under one of four categories-the largest and most generic are Geographical Units (such as the Western Cape region) which includes the smaller, but still largely defined Regions (such as Overberg), followed by districts (like Walker Bay) and then finally wards (such as Elgin. While geographical units, regions and districts are largely defined by political boundaries-wards are the level of origin designation that is most defined by unique terroir characteristics.[2]
Geographical units
- Western Cape - A large multi-regional designation covering every appellation except those in the Northern Cape.
- KwaZulu-Natal - The whole Province was designated as a Geographical Unit in August 2005. Instigated by Tiny and Judy van Niekerk of The Stables Wine Estate in Nottingham Road. Wine was first certified as KwaZulu-Natal Wine Of Origin by The Stables Wine Estate in July 2006 and was a Pinotage Clariet (barrel fermented blanc de noir). The Stables Wine Estate have subsequently won many national and international awards for their wines, including Internaitonal Woman Winemaker of the World in 2008.
- Eastern Cape - The Eastern Cape Province was designated South Africa’s newest wine region in 2009.[3] Ronnie and Janet Vehorn established Harrion Hope Wine Estate in Whittlesea and pressed their first estate wines in February 2009, exactly 350 years to the month from the first wine pressing in Cape Town. Owner and winemaker Ronnie Vehorn planted the Genesis Vineyard in 2006 and Emma’s Plot in 2009.[4] Both vineyards are certified single block vineyards by SAWIS, the wine industry’s controlling body. Harrison Hope is producing the only estate wines in the entire Eastern Cape Province.[5]
Regions
Western Cape
- Breede River Valley - contains three wine districts and fifteen wards
- Cape South Coast - contains five districts and 15 wards
- Coastal Region - contains eight districts and seventeen wards
- Klein Karoo - contains two districts and five wards
- Olifants River - contains three districts and five wards
Northern Cape
Eastern Cape
- Eastern Cape - contains no districts and one ward
- Boberg - For use in respect of fortified wines from Paarl, Franschhoek and Tulbagh.
Districts
- Boberg - Paarl, Franschhoek and Tulbagh
- Breede River Valley - Breedekloof, Robertson, and Worcester
- Cape South Coast - Cape Agulhas, Overberg, Plettenberg Bay, Swellendam and Walker Bay
- Coastal Region - Cape Point, Darling, Paarl, Franschhoek/Franchhoek Valley, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Tulbagh and Tygerberg
- Klein Karoo - Calitzdorp and Langeberg-Garcia
- Olifants River - Citrusdal Mountain, Citrusdal Valley and Lutzville Valley
- Northern Cape - Douglas and Sutherland-Karoo,
Wards
Western Cape:
- Breedekloof district of the Breede River Valley - Goudini and Slanghoek
- Robertson district of the Breede River Valley - Agterkliphoogte, Bonnievale, Boesmansrivier, Eilandia, Hoopsrivier, Klaasvoogds, Le Chasseur, McGregor and Vinkrivier
- Worcester district of the Breede River Valley - Aan-de-Doorns, Hex River Valley, Nuy and Scherpenheuvel
- Cape Agulhas district of the Cape South Coast - Elim
- Overberg district of the Cape South Coast - Elgin, Greyton, Klein River and Theewater
- Swellendam district of the Cape South Coast - Buffeljags, Malgas and Stormsvlei
- Walker Bay district of the Cape South Coast - Bot River, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Sunday's Glen, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
- Other wards from the Cape South Coast - Herbertsdale and Stilbaai East
- Darling district of the Coastal Region - Groenekloof
- Paarl district of the Coastal Region - Simonsberg-Paarl, Voor Paardeberg, and Wellington
- Stellenbosch district of the Coastal Region - Banghoek, Bottelary, Devon Valley, Jonkershoek Valley, Papegaaiberg, Polkadraai Hills and Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
- Swartland district of the Coastal Region - Malmesbury and Riebeekberg
- Tygerberg district of the Coastal Region - Durbanville and Philadelphia
- Other wards in the Coastal Region - Constantia and Hout Bay
- Other wards in the Klein Karoo Region - Montagu, Tradouw, Tradouw Highlands, Outeniqua and Upper Langkloof
- Citrusdal Mountain district of the Olifants River region - Piekenierskloof
- Lutzville Valley district of the Olifants River region - Koekenaap
Other wards in the Olifants River Region - Bamboes Bay, Spruitdrift, Vredendal, Cederberg, Ceres, Lamberts Bay, Prince Albert Valley]] and Swartberg
Northern Cape:
- Wards of the Northern Cape - Hartswater, Central Orange River and Rietrivier FS
Eastern Cape:
- Wards of the Eastern Cape - St Francis Bay
See also
References