Forget what you think you know about wine.
The soul of South African wine lives outside the glass. It’s in the sun on your skin, the scent of fynbos on the breeze, and a 350-year-old story of innovation.
A visit to the wine vineyards in South Africa, like the stunning slopes of Hidden Valley, is an immersive step onto a historic wine farm, where every sip tells a tale of the unique terroir and the generations that have worked this land.
This guide is your invitation to experience the story in every bottle; a taste of our history, our land, and our spirit of innovation.
South Africa’s wine story is an epic one. It unfolds over centuries, with a few key moments shaping the flavours we enjoy today:
1659 – The First Press: On February 2nd, the first wine was officially pressed from Cape grapes. It’s a moment that marks the birth of a 350+ year legacy, turning a supply station into a future winemaking giant.
1688 – The French Connection: French Huguenot refugees arrive, bringing generations of viticultural knowledge. They plant new varietals and introduce techniques that refine the local wines, laying the groundwork for the quality we know today.
1924 – A Grape is Born: In a university lab, Pinotage is created by crossing the noble Pinot Noir with the hardy Cinsaut. This results in a uniquely South African grape that is bold, and earthy, with notes of smoke and dark fruit, which becomes our signature.
1971 – The Wine Route Opens: The Stellenbosch Wine Route is born, a revolutionary idea that links farms for public tastings. It transforms the region into a global destination, inviting everyone to experience the story firsthand.
That history gives today's winemakers a BOLD palette to work with. They are masters of 'terroir' — the land's unique signature on the grape.
It’s the reason a grape tastes completely different depending on its specific patch of earth, shaped by everything from the soil composition to the cooling ocean mists. A modern wine farm visit is a full sensory immersion, with wine tastings and food pairings that bring out hidden notes in the wine and a deep commitment to sustainability.
This commitment is often certified by the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme; a programme guiding farms on everything from water conservation to protecting the local biodiversity.
You can taste this dedication in the elegant wines from a farm like Hidden Valley.
The Helderberg mountain slopes give our Sauvignon Blanc a crisp character perfect for a summer afternoon, while our complex red blend, the Hidden Secret, is ideal for a rich, hearty meal. The flavour bouquet of our wines is blended to transport you to the vineyard, letting you taste the story of the land from the initial nose to the lingering finish.
And when you discover a wine you love, the experience doesn't have to end at the wine farm gate. Bring the taste of the vineyards home.
Order online and you can enjoy free delivery on 6 bottles or more, anywhere in South Africa.
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