Wine:
The BEST reason to travel to South Africa

by Lisa Hough, President, Cape Wineland Tours, Falls Church, VA

South Africa is widely known as a safari destination where travelers seeking an exotic experience go to view wild animals in the bush.  It is known to a lesser degree for the dramatic beauty of its land, rugged mountains and verdant valleys, and beautiful beaches, shining white under a brilliant sun. Home to a diverse mix of peoples, South Africa is becoming increasingly known as a destination for cultural travel.

But how many people, even knowledgeable travelers, know South Africa as the world’s seventh largest wine-producing nation and a cutting-edge wine touring destination?  Very few, indeed!  The charm of the Cape Winelands (as the wine country of South Africa is known) from a travel perspective comes from the fact that even though it has a rich winemaking heritage and produces a multitude of world class wines, it is still relatively “undiscovered.”

In an era when travelers are more sophisticated than ever, perhaps the BEST reason to visit South Africa is for its Winelands, which offer a unique opportunity to engage in a hands-on learning experience, explore a new, off-the-beaten-path destination, and enjoy the beauty, charm and luxury of the “first world” in a developing and thriving nation – all at an exceptional value.

So they produce WINE in South Africa?

South Africa’s winemaking heritage is as old, if not older, than most New World regions, and has a fascinating history to go along with it.  Wine was first produced here as early as 1659.  With the Cape of Good Hope playing an important role as a supply station to merchant ships on their journeys from Europe to the East, wine became a critical part of this supply, along with fresh produce. 

Later in the 17th century, the French Huguenots were exiled to this fertile land, bringing with them the skill and expertise needed to sustain a rich winemaking tradition.  During the 18th century, the wines of the Constantia region acquired an international reputation, rivaling the greatest sweet wines of Europe. Enjoyed by emperors and kings alike, Constantia wines were described by Jane Austen and casks accompanied Napoleon on his exile to St. Helena. 

A quest to raise the overall quality of wine production in the 1970’s led to numerous vineyard replantings and the development of new coastal areas better suited to the noble varietals.  Endowed with an ideal winegrowing climate and an abundance of passionate winemaking genius, the region’s natural industry has since flourished.  Over the past decade, South Africa has enjoyed increasing recognition worldwide for its broad range of superb wines, which are celebrated with a host of international awards. However, because the majority of wine continues to be produced by a large number of relatively small estates and is driven more by quality than quantity, a visit to the cellars of the Winelands is a refreshing and stimulating experience in an increasingly commercial industry.

Napa revisited? It’s not hard to picture what it must have been like to visit a Napa Valley wine cellar when it was “coming of age” in the 50’s and 60’s, a time when creative forces were aligning to establish that region as a serious presence. Wine consumers were starting to take note of the talent of this “new” region and outsiders were welcomed to share in the progress.  The same dynamic can be easily found in the Winelands today, where proud Cape winemakers are willing and eager to share the fruits of their labor with discerning visitors. 

Profile on the industry

South Africa has five principal wine regions, made up of 14 very diverse wine districts (classified into Wine of Origin, similarly to the French appellation system). More than 250,000 vineyards are under cultivation; there are 4,500 primary producers; and wine is being made in more than 350 estates and cellars.  Major red grape varietals include cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinotage (a clone unique to the Cape which makes a distinctively rich and spicy wine), pinot noir and shiraz, among others.  Many classic white varietals are also grown, principally, chardonnay, chenin blanc (known also as steen), sauvignon blanc and semillion.

My personal love affair with the Winelands

When I moved to Cape Town in 1995, I was like most Americans at the time – I knew virtually nothing about South Africa. All I had heard from within the diplomatic circles was that it was a “prime” posting, and we were lucky to be going!  Then I tasted my first remarkable wine, a Backsberg chardonnay – a benchmark wine in South Africa, even though at the time it cost only about $4.  I spent the majority of my time there learning about the wines and winemakers of estates like Meerlust, Vergelegen, Rust-en-Vrede, Klein Constantia, Veenwouden, Kanonkop, Warwick, Muratie, Fairview and Mulderbosch. Discovering the rare gem that is the Winelands, privy to such an exceptional experience, I came to adore this unique region. My passion evolved into a dedication to share it with other wine enthusiasts who would appreciate the rarity of experience.   Buitenverwachting (Bay-ten-ver-vak-tin) is a Constantia estate meaning “beyond expectation” – a good expression for what the Winelands turn out to be for those lucky enough to visit them! 

Why go now?

After a century of conflict, South Africa is reinventing itself.  The pride and energy of its people, bound together by a fierce love of the land, makes South Africa poised to welcome the visitor with warmth and sincere hospitality.  If you aren’t a wine fan, there is still beauty, culture and wild animals to fall back on – but if you are a traveler with a sophisticated palate, a gastronomic adventure to go along with these fine pursuits is really the icing on the cake!—Lisa Hough