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Cape South Coast

Cape South Coast is a wine region in South Africa's Western Cape, with vineyards influenced by Atlantic weather and wind. The grapes often ripen slowly in its cooler areas. Wines include whites, Pinot Noir reds and sparkling styles, with conditions changing between districts such as Elgin, Walker Bay and Cape Agulhas.

Place
Cape South Coast, South Africa
Explore next
Bot River · Cape Agulhas · Elgin
Producer profiles
1
Atlas locationCape South Coast · South Africa34.36° S · 20.22° EOpen in Atlas

Cape South Coast is a wine region within South Africa's Western Cape. It includes Elgin, Overberg, Walker Bay, Cape Agulhas, Swellendam, Lower Duivenhoks River and Plettenberg Bay. These are districts in the Wine of Origin system, which identifies where a wine's grapes were grown; smaller areas within districts are called wards. Atlantic weather and wind influence the vineyards, and grapes often have a long ripening season. The region makes cool-climate whites, Pinot Noir reds and sparkling wines, while warmer sites also grow varieties associated with the Mediterranean.

7 named areas

Inside the region

Explore the wine-growing areas of Cape South Coast.

  1. 01Bot RiverNo producers listed yetBot River runs from its lagoon into the foothills of the Groenlandberg and Babylonstoren ranges. Afternoon sea winds help keep the maritime climate cool, and Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are especially at home here.
  2. 02Cape Agulhas1 producerCape Agulhas lies between the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans and faces powerful sea gales. Its maritime setting supports cool-climate Pinot Noir and Syrah, while Pinotage can outperform Pinot Noir in some sites.
  3. 03Elgin5 producersElgin's high, cool setting brings later ripening. Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Shiraz are all well suited here.
  4. 04MalgasNo producers listed yetMalgas sits on a stony plateau above the Breede River, east of Cape Agulhas. Vines arrived in 2003, and the site favours drought-resistant Mediterranean varieties.
  5. 05Overberg1 producerOverberg includes Elgin, a cool-climate wine area. In Baardskeerdersbos, wind-exposed Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon can show a salty edge.
  6. 06Plettenberg Bay1 producerPlettenberg Bay has a cool coastal climate suited to Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wine. Vines were first planted in 2000. Its carbon-rich soils and average harvest temperatures of 22°C are features of the growing area.
  7. 07Walker Bay10 producersWalker Bay's cool climate and Benguela influence suit Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. The area runs from Hermanus toward Bot River and contains seven wine wards.

Producer profiles

Producer profiles

Every producer profiled in Cape South Coast so far.

  • Storm WinesSite-labelled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Hemel-en-Aarde’s Valley, Upper Valley and Ridge.
Sources for this guide1 source

Sources for this guide are listed below. Featured producers are a selection, not a ranking.

  • World of Wine Atlas and learning records

Where to go next

mapSee Cape South Coast in the AtlasSee Cape South Coast and its wine-growing areas on the map.placeContinue to Walker BayWalker Bay is one of Cape South Coast's wine-growing areas.learningHow place shapes wineSee how climate, landscape and local choices become part of a wine.