The essential guide to wineries and wine producers of Stellenbosch and the Helderberg
South Africa is now producing more than 7,000 wine brands,
from more than 580 wine cellars, with new brands and cellars emerging weekly.
The heart of the South African wine industry is Stellenbosch and more than 200
wineries and wine producers surround the beautiful town.
Use the Wine Reviews tab above to access wine scores and reviews of individual producers
- More than 7,500 wines scored and reviewed
- More than 200 wineries and wine producers
- Tasting notes and scores by David March CWM
- How much to expect to pay and when to drink each wine
- Includes past vintages
- Includes discontinued wines
- New wine scores and reviews being added constantly
- Stellenbosch’s Top Winery based on wine scores
- Top Red and White Wines
- Top 25 wines and Top 25 Good Value Wines
- More than 7,500 wines scored and reviewed
- More than 200 wineries and wine producers
- Tasting notes and scores by David March CWM
- How much to expect to pay and when to drink each wine
- Includes past vintages
- Includes discontinued wines
- New wine scores and reviews being added constantly
- Stellenbosch’s Top Winery based on wine scores
- Top Red and White Wines
- Top 25 wines and Top 25 Good Value Wines
Scroll down for more details, latest news and the latest wine updates
Each wine tasted is given a score out of 100. The score is made up of key elements, such as colour, aromas and taste. Wines are assessed as objectively as possible, based on years of experience, judging and academic foundation.
There are several methods of scoring wines, but I have chosen the 100 point system as it is recognised worldwide and gives a clear picture of the quality of the wine.
Also included in the Review is a guide price that you might expect to pay for the wine. Prices are in Rands.
R – expect to pay up to R100 for this wine
RR – expect to pay under R200
RRR – expect to pay between R200 and R400
RRRR – expect to pay more than R400
It is wrong to think that South African wines cannot keep, many improve over the years and some will keep for decades, provided they are kept in reasonable conditions.
The Stellenbosch Wine Review gives a recommended drinking range for each wine. These ranges are based on winemaker’s opinion and comment and my assessment of the wine and the vintage.
Green highlight = optimum drinking period
Red highlight = wine may be past its best
Discontinued Wines
The Review includes many wines which have become discontinued. This unique feature recognizes that those wines may still be available and that many may still have them at home. Such wines may be past their best (indicated by red colouring) but many will still be enjoyable and because of this they are included.
Wine Articles
The Stellenbosch Wine Review allows you access to all related articles written by me about the wine industry, wine people and wine places around Stellenbosch and published on www.wine.co.za
Top Wine Producers and Top Wines
The Stellenbosch Wine Review is constantly updated, with wines being added weekly and scores are correlated to reveal the Top Stellenbosch Wine Producer, the Top Wines and the Top Good Value Wines. Refer to those pages to see the scoring method.
Latest news
Edgebaston wins the ‘Top Producer’ 2021
Remhoogte Honeybunch Chenin Blanc 2020 is the 2021 ‘Top White Wine’
Lanzerac 2018 Pioneer Pinotage is 2021 ‘Top Red Wine’
Foothills Partner’s White 2020 wins ‘Good Value’ wine award
Kanonkop takes ownership of Laibach
2020 Top Producers announced:
Top Wine Producer 2020: Stellenrust Wines
Runners Up 2020: Longridge, Haskell, Keermont
Article; Wine post Covid-19; Earning the Right
Article; Another ‘tuppence worth’ on inflated wine scores
2019 Top Producers:
Top Wine Producer 2019: Deux Frères Wines
Runners Up 2019: Boschkloof, Edgebaston, Radford Dale
2020 Top Wines Announced:
Top Red Wine 2020: Stellenrust After Eight Shiraz 2016
Runners Up 2020: Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2017, Anwilka 2015, Vergelegen V 2013
Top White Wine 2020: Tokara Directors Reserve 2017
Runners Up 2020: Meinert 6Chen Chenin Blanc 2018, Longridge Clos du Ciel Chardonnay 2017, Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2018
Top Good Value Wine 2020: Winshaw Usana The Doctor’s Journey Sauvignon Blanc 2018
2019 Top Wines Announced:
Top Red Wine 2019: Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah 2017
Runners Up 2019: Vilafonté Series C 2017, Deux Frères Fraternité 2015, Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2016
Top White Wine 2019: DeMorgenzon The Divas Chenin Blanc 2017
Runners Up 2019: Edgebaston Camino Africana Chenin Blanc 2018, Longridge Ou Steen Chenin Blanc 2016, Ken Forrester The FMC 2018
