South African Wine Recommendations

[Steady]

Work is taking me to South Africa for a few days In about a week, wine recommendations would be appreciated- brands / wineries to look out for on wine lists etc

Cheers,

Steady

 

[SYD]

If you heading Cape Town, do go and stay in Franschhoek. It’s a short drive but there’s a great combo of food and wine and the area is stunning!

home - franschhoek wine valley

WELCOME TO THEVALLEY OF DREAMS A place like no other. Aspirational, accessible, unique. September Specials in Franschhoek 1 - 30 September 2026 This Tourism Month, discover just how far a little escape can take you. Throughout September, the Franschhoek Wine Valley is offering special deals...

franschhoek.org.za

I‘ve been to a few of these…

Where to go Wine Tasting in Franschhoek | Crush Magazine

There is no shortage of amazing wineries in Franschhoek. To narrow it down, we round up top estates for wine tasting in Franschhoek.

crushmag-online.com

 

[Steady]

If you heading Cape Town, do go and stay in Franschhoek. It’s a short drive but there’s a great combo of food and wine and the area is stunning!

home - franschhoek wine valley

WELCOME TO THEVALLEY OF DREAMS A place like no other. Aspirational, accessible, unique. September Specials in Franschhoek 1 - 30 September 2026 This Tourism Month, discover just how far a little escape can take you. Throughout September, the Franschhoek Wine Valley is offering special deals...

franschhoek.org.za

I‘ve been to a few of these…

Where to go Wine Tasting in Franschhoek | Crush Magazine

There is no shortage of amazing wineries in Franschhoek. To narrow it down, we round up top estates for wine tasting in Franschhoek.

crushmag-online.com

Nowhere as nice as Cape Town, Durban. No chance to visit anywhere so just hoping to sample at restaurants etc

 

[CLT Aussie]

Alheit Vineyards

Alheit Vineyards is a family business started in 2010 by husband and wife team Chris and Suzaan Alheit. Our goals are simple. We want to make wines with a clear sense of Cape identity. We want to show that the Cape's vinous heritage is worth celebrating and protecting.

alheitvineyards.co.za

Their Cartology Chenin is excellent. If you can get it with a few years in bottle even better. I haven't had any of their other wines

 

[drron]

Look for Rustenberg wines. We visited their winery and the reds were really good.

Wine Portfolio - Rustenberg Wines Site - South Africa

The Rustenberg Wine Portfolio is made up of three ranges - the Site Specific Range, the Flagships and the Regional Range. Discover our full portfolio here.

www.rustenberg.co.za

 

[Steady]

Haven’t had much of a chance to try any wine but tonight I bought a bottle over the bar at the hotel I’m staying at - the only Pinotage they had (~$22.00aud). It’s quite smooth, low acid, the fruit is not forward, the tannins are drying and powdery, there is a very slight warmth and a reductive aftertaste - it is ok, but also unlikely to be a good example of the varietal. They have a few Merlot including one i had heard of when reading up on SA wines so may try it. I am heading to a wine store tomorrow and think I will get a Vilafonte series C to try - if I like it I may bring some back to Oz.

I located a Rustenberg red and it’s on clearance 50% off at R120 / bottle ($10) - I have not seen anything from Alheit Vineyards yet



There was no power in my room from 6-8pm due to load shedding so I had my LED torch out, the Pinotage was impenetrable

 

[Daver6]

The Rustenberg John X Merriman should be readily available. For it's price point it's a pretty decent Bordeaux blend.

 

[Gremlin]

Meerlust

Home - Meerlust Wines

Long recognized for producing world-class wines, Meerlust Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. HOME OF RUBICON.

www.meerlust.co.za

The Rubicon is fantastic. Drinkable upon release but will age very well for many years. Expensive by South African standards, but a steal compared to a comparable Aussie red. If I'm going to SA for work, I'll typically get the vineyard to deliver a half dozen to the hotel I'm staying at so they are waiting for me upon arrival. I'll drink 3 whilst I'm there and bring 3 back duty free. Should be under AUD300 including delivery.

 

[Steady]

I went shopping today and found 3 of the 4 wines I was looking for. I have opened the Vilafonte and its impressive, smooth tannins, juicy red and black fruit, silky slightly viscous mouthfeel, long finish. It’s a lot more than the other two and I’ll wait until I try them before deciding but I’m tempted to pack 3 Vilafonte in my luggage to take home. I saw the Meerlust available in “on arrival” Big 5 duty free, so could get them after clearing security if that’s the one I go with






I didn’t see any Alheit wines

 

[Daver6]

Another producer I really like is Reyneke from Stellenbosch. Might be a little harder to find. Some of their wines do make their way into Australia and worth seeking out.

 

[JohnM]

There's some very good Pinot Noir produced in S Africa. Try Hamilton Russell if you spot it (https://hamiltonrussellvineyards.com/).

 

[rigram]

Loved the wine in SA !
I would recommend going into any supermarket and just buy the most expensive wines you can - we found sensational drinking @ $25/bottle.
Another thing - only order a "glass of wine" at a restaurant - typically they bring out 250mls (a third of a bottle), sometimes in a mini decanter - plenty to share between 2 people. Every restaurant seemed have their own bottled wine, and the ability to taste many wines by buying a glass instead of a bottle was a bonus for us! Never the same wine twice.