Olifants River

Olifants River extends through South Africa's northern Western Cape, from Lutzville in the north to Citrusdal Valley in the south. Vredendal is hot and exceptionally dry, receiving about 6.5 inches of rain a year; the mountains around Citrusdal receive roughly three times as much. River-deposited soils lie along the valley, with gravel on higher slopes. Olifants River is a region in the Wine of Origin system, which identifies where a wine's grapes were grown. Citrusdal Mountain and Lutzville Valley are smaller districts, with Koekenaap and Bamboes Bay within Lutzville Valley. Lutzville has Atlantic breezes, sunny days and cool evenings. Cederberg's higher vineyards have cooler growing conditions. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Shiraz are important inland red grapes, often producing richer, fuller wines than those from cooler coastal sites. The region includes large producers as well as small estates in the mountains and near the coast.