Golden Triangle, Jewel in the crown of Stellenbosch

Golden Triangle A drive around Stellenbosch and its sub-regions offers some of the best views of South Africa’s stunning Winelands. Situated about 40km from Cape Town, 10 km from the coast with an elevation of 300m above sea level, the Stellenbosch area includes various meso-climates, aspects, elevations and soil types. To many this intensely farmed district is the wine capital of SA.

Key contributors to quality are the cooler mountain slopes, varied soil types and it also has the advantage of frontage onto False Bay. The prevailing south-easterly wind, known as The Cape Doctor works its magic here keeping vines cool and helping to control diseases by reducing the relative humidity. Almost all classic varietals are represented here with Cabernet Sauvignon being the most widely planted varietal in the area.

The jewel in the crown of Stellenbosch is known as the ‘golden triangle’, an area recognised for producing outstanding red wines. An aerial view clearly indicates the three points of reference, namely the Stellenbosch Mountains, Helderberg Mountains and the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West.

The estates that lie along the R44 south towards the town of Somerset West are De Trafford and Stellenzicht while those to the South of this area are Alto, Rust en Vrede (Including Guardian Peak), Ernie Els and Bilton.

De Trafford winery is set spectacularly in the heights of the Helderberg Mountain. This secluded valley is well protected from prevailing winds and enjoys mountain airflow from the steep slopes as well as the cooling effect of higher elevations. Stellenzicht literally means “view of Stellen (bosch)” and their proximity to the Ocean, only 8km away, plays a crucial role, inviting onshore breezes with their cooling effect on the grapes. Equally important in this area is the variety of soils and vineyard altitudes which range from 100-400 meters above sea-level.

Red wines in this area show velvety tannins and nutty flavours, they generally have a powerful structure and dense fruit aromas. Cabernet Sauvignon in particular shows pencil shavings, mintiness and a mineral finish in varietal wines, especially De Trafford, while Stellenzicht, a pioneer of Shiraz, produces a prominent ripe, smoky Shiraz. Chenin Blanc and Semillon are favoured white varietals. Sensitive oaking on De Traffords Chenin Blanc and Stellenzicht’s Semillon give these aromatic wines a full and complex structure.

South of Stellenzicht and De Trafford, where the vineyards are mainly situated on the Northern slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, you will find Alto, Rust en Vrede, Ernie Els and Bilton. These vineyards are slightly more sheltered from False Bay but are exposed to the harsh south-easterly summer winds. The classic noble grape varieties are represented here.

This area is one of the oldest established wine-producing areas in Stellenbosch, and has highly desirable granite soils and northern exposure. The generous fruit flavours of wines from this area effortlessly absorb the high alcohol levels to an elegant finish of silky tannins. The single varietals show fragrant red berries and savoury notes while retaining a tight tannin structure. An impressive example of this is the Bilton Merlot. Bilton produce wines with typical New World fruitiness but still retain an austerity.

The oldest winery in this area is Alto Estate and they still produce wines with Old-World class combined with New World appeal. Rust en Vrede was the first in South Africa to specialise exclusively in the production of red wines. Grapes are handpicked and only the best berries are selected. Rust en Vrede’s reputation is built on steady Cabernet-Merlot blends. They produce elegant wines of great concentration and complexity.

Ernie Els Wines was borne out of a friendship between leading sportsman Ernie Els and wine producer Jean Engelbrecht (Rust en Vrede and Guardian Peak). Their reds show balanced freshness, dark, rich fruit and dense tannins – characteristic of the complex Bordeaux style blends.

Taste a couple of the whites and some reds from the premium Stellenbosch Golden triangle area with this mixed case of wineries from the region.