Stellenbosch Wine

Add a photo
for this region?

Stellenbosch is located within the Coastal Region in South Africa’s Western Cape province. It is perhaps the most prestigious of the country’s wine regions.

The area is named for the town that was settled in the mid 1670s with the establishment of the Dutch East India Company. The French Huguenots soon came to the region and planted vineyards. By the time the British controlled South Africa in the 1800s, this fledgling wine industry was beginning to boom. The British were pleased to have a source of good wine at a time their on-again-off-again relationship with France was on a downswing. But Britain and France kissed and made up again, and then Phylloxera struck by the end of the century. This double-whammy put a cork in the works for a long while.

Stellenbosch is located within the Coastal Region in South Africa’s Western Cape province. It is perhaps the most prestigious of the country’s wine regions.

The University of Stellenbosch and its wine education program was established in 1918. In 1925, Dr. William Charles Winshaw established the Stellenbosch Farmer’s Winery (SFW) association to promote the growth of the region’s wines (and also spirits), which eventually became Distell in 2000. Many successful wines, including Lieberstein brandy made from local Chenin Blanc and Clairette Blanche, were launched due to SFW efforts.

By the 1970s, Stellenbosch University set up the Wine of Origin (WO) appellation designations within South Africa. And this is also the decade that the official Stellenbosch Wine Route, the country’s first, was established. However, this is also a period when Apartheid practices were coming to light and many countries were hesitant to do business with South Africa. By the 1980s, full trade embargoes were enacted with countries including the US. This kept the wine industry in a damaging state of isolation, with no international investment and little advance in technology and quality practices. By the time Apartheid ended and trade relations opened up again, much of the wine coming from Stellenbosch and South Africa as a whole, was considered sub par.

But the 1990s saw a massive shift as international investors saw their big opportunities and much more focus on quality was brought to the wine industry. Stellenbosch in particular was popular with foreign wine-makers who were attracted to the fertile terroir and warm, dry growing season.

Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are the grapes that first attracted fans. Other popular white varietals cultivated there are Chardonnay and Semillon. Cabernet Sauvignon is the top red grape, along with Shiraz (Syrah), Merlot and the national grape Pinotage.

The WO areas within Stellenbosch are:

*Banghoek

*Bottelary

*Devon Valley

*Jonkershoek Valley

*Papegaaiberg

*Polkadraai Hills

*Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

Add description View descriptions »

View more Articles »

View More
Popular wines made in Stellenbosch under $20

Find local availability for these wines:Submit

Beyerskloof Pinotage Stellenbosch Diesel

Buy Stellenbosch wines »

Varietals Produced in Stellenbosch View all

Chenin Blanc

History of the grape: Modern day French oenologist Pierre Galet states Chenin Blanc has been in France at least since...
Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...
Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Pinotage

History of the grape: In 1925, Stellenbosch University Chief Horticulture Professor Abraham Izak Perold created the P...
Syrah

The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

Popular Wineries in Stellenbosch View all

Beyerskloof

In 1988 one of the Cape's most foremost wine makers, Beyers Truter of Kanonkop Estate formed a pa...
Kanonkop Estate

Kanonkop Estate has been described by those in the know as being the South African equivalent of ...
Stellekaya Winery

Stellekaya is a privately owned boutique wine producer situated in the heart of the Cape Wineland...
Warwick Wine Estate

Warwick wine estate was known as the farm ‘Good Success’ from 1791 until 1902. After the Anglo...
Rust en Vrede Wine Estate

For 315 years Rust en Vrede has stood peacefully among the vineyards of Stellenbosch. Through ce...
Mulderbosch Vineyards

MULDERBOSCH VINEYARDS Mulderbosch (situated in the prime Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch) is wi...

People getting updates on Stellenbosch Wines

Page 77 of 77
Stellenbosch on Snooth

June 2007

Stellenzicht Syrah Stellenbosch 1995

Snoothrank:

When someone tells you this wine actually beat the French in a Worldwide competition and came out tops, you WANT to taste it - and it was worth it!The nose has hints of butterscotch and vanilla, wood is very well integrated and the plumminess that follows the initial sweetness, is brilliant.The palate does not dissappoint at all - it is even bet... Read More

Wine review by Petro
June 2007

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2006

Snoothrank:

Not as great as I would have hoped. Some nice lemon flavors. Some decent minerality. Was very clear that this was fermented or aged in oak. All in all, it did not change my life. Read More

Wine review by JCfromtheWC
June 2007

Kanonkop Estate Pinotage Simonsberg-Stellenbosch 2003

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Cru Master
May 2007

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2004

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by GDal Piaz
May 2007

Tresso Cellars Shiraz Blend Stellenbosch Ancient Fynbos 2004

Snoothrank:

Possibly a bad bottle, but there was high amount of bottle stink (smelled skunky). In the mouth, yes, I tasted it, there was definitely still the skunk plus a bit a fruit, but not a lot. Mostly earth, some herbs, and yet more skunk. Read More

Wine review by Stephen
December 2006

Jardin Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch 2004

Snoothrank:

Decanted" for 6.5 hours. Nose is overwhelmingly coffee beans. with green pepper, blackberries and black peppercorns mixed in. I also get some cedar plank; but coffee is the primary aroma. Mouth-feel was very smooth. Cherry cough syrup, coffee, a little tobacco, a little strawberry. Strong, warming (alcoholic) finish that the mid-palate (though q... Read More

Wine review by jaye
December 2005

Radford Dale Shiraz Stellenbosch 2002

Snoothrank:

Dark reddish purple with thick legs clinging to the sides. Sour raspbery right off when I stick my nose in the glass followed by a little earth, mineral, leather and some light herbal notes. Strong acidity with medium tannins and a sharpness on the front palate. Rich in the mouth the wine show chocolate, charcoal, and redfruit, though overall it... Read More

Wine review by ryanopaz
July 2004

Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2003

Snoothrank:

Light crisp, slight mid palate sweetness, though at 14% could just be the alcohol. Enjoyable but had to have more than a glass on a hot day. More of a winter white. [NR] Read More

Wine review by ryanopaz

prev 1 ... 73 74 75 76 77

View larger map

Best Wine Deals

$24.99

17% off

Byron Io 2005
$29.99

20% off

Paul Jaboulet Aine Crozes-Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche 2014

See More Deals

Recent Forum PostsView all

http://fitnessproductcenter.com/envy-us/
It is an advanced hydrating lotion that has been defined to permit...
And now for something completely different ...
Thought I'd start a topic to see what "different" wines...
Velofel South Africa
Velofel South Africa Besides a piece of the fixings in Velofel Male...
https://totalfitnesspoints.com/infused-skin-serum/
infused skin serum fluid is that the new craze...

Stellenbosch wine ratings and reviews

Winery:	Mulderbosch Vineyards
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Varietal:	Chenin Blanc
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Ken Forrester
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Varietal:	Chenin Blanc
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Mulderbosch Vineyards
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Varietal:	Cabernet Sauvignon
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Rustenberg Wines
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch » Simonsberg-stellenbosch
Varietal:	Cabernet Franc , Merlot , Cabernet Sauvignon
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Muratie Wine Estate
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch » Simonsberg-stellenbosch
Varietal:	Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot , Cabernet Franc , Syrah
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Varietal:	Cabernet Sauvignon
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Kanonkop Estate
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch » Simonsberg-stellenbosch
Varietal:	Pinotage
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	De Morgenzon
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Varietal:	Sauvignon Blanc
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Fleur du Cap
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Vergelegen Wines
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Neil Ellis Wines
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Morgenhof Estate
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Jardin
Region:	South Africa » Stellenbosch
Type:	Table Wines

Stellenbosch Wine

Rustenberg Chardonnay Stellenbosch

Roasted Shrimp with Romesco Sauce

Thelema Chardonnay Stellenbosch

Blackberry Balsamic Chicken

Fleur du Cap Chardonnay

Roasted Shrimp with Feta

Rustenberg Chardonnay Stellenbosch Brampton Unoaked Chardonnay

Sauteed Chicken with Capers

Vergelegen Chardonnay Stellenbosch

Almond-Topped Chicken Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Neil Ellis Chardonnay Elgin

Shrimp, Spaghetti and Cheese

Rustenberg Chardonnay Stellenbosch

Fajita Chicken

Rustenberg Chardonnay Stellenbosch

Almond Topped Chicken

Morgenhof Chardonnay

Alfredo Florentine Chicken Panini

Jardin Chardonnay

Creamy Chicken Taco Skillet

View More Popular wines made in Stellenbosch under $20

Varietals Produced in Stellenbosch View all

Popular Wineries in Stellenbosch View all

People getting updates on Stellenbosch Wines

Page 77 of 77 Stellenbosch on Snooth

Stay Connected

Get our free newsletter

Snooth Newsletters

Best Wine Deals

Recent Forum PostsView all

Snooth Media Network

View More
Popular wines made in Stellenbosch under $20

Page 77 of 77
Stellenbosch on Snooth