Stellenbosch: Greater Simonsberg

To many the intensively farmed district of Stellenbosch is the wine capital of South Africa. Given the density of vineyards in Stellenbosch our Stellenbosch wine route has been broken into three sub routes that serve as a virtual driving tour of wine producers in specified areas of Stellenbosch.

The first of the three sub-routes, the Greater Simonsberg, is located to the north-east (about 5km) of the town of Stellenbosch. To the north along the R44 is the Stellenbosch-Simonsberg pocket and to the east, along the R310, is the Helshoogte pocket.

The Stellenbosch-Simonsberg pocket is situated along the south-western slopes of the Simonsberg, Skurweberg, and Klapmutskop Mountains. It is characterised by high-lying sites and soils with high potential. The pocket runs over folding slopes creating variations in exposure and cultivation techniques. The relatively high elevations and south-western aspects ensure that the vineyards benefit from cooling airflow.

Although the pocket is primarily suited to red wines and Bordeaux style blends (try Glenelly Hills Bordeaux style with pepperiness of Shiraz added), whites are typified by tropical fruit flavours & flinty flavours while exuberantly fruity Chardonnays are produced at Rustenberg and Warwick.

Abundant fruit aromas are found in the red wines - Pinotage has more earthy tones than wines produced in neighbouring ward, Bottelary. Kanonkop produce theirs from old bush vines, yielding highly concentrated wines with dense strawberry fruit structure, spicy earthy notes and dry tannins, while Warwick mixes Old World with New World by adding Pinotage to a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in their Three Cape Ladies. Cabernet Sauvignon from Muratie is less overtly powerful but show dark fruit, cassis notes and fine tannins. The reds from this pocket are generally well structured and mature well, usually requiring some time after release to reach their best form.

Organic farming is also found in this pocket - Laibach, situated on the slopes of Simonsberg, aims to maximise their fantastic terroir by converting 90% of their farm to organic viticulture by 2010. Their Ladybird range, named after the myriad of ladybirds used to maintain organic vineyards, has already achieved sell-out before bottling.

The Helshoogte pocket, east of the town of Stellenbosch is also characterised by high lying sites and soils with high potential -almost exclusively granite with some sandstone and good drainage as well as good water retention properties. The pocket is small and because of the high lying sites and cold winds that blow during the summer months, which restrict growth and ensure plants have a balanced yield of fruit, wines from the Helshoogte pocket have distinct cool climate characteristics of mintiness and berry flavours.

Whites are extremely fruity with good palate weight (Clouds Sauvignon Blanc) and reds are less overtly powerful with understated elegance. Reds from Tokara are light in texture due to young vineyards. The single varietal wines from Thelema have elegant fruit with cassis and blackcurrent (Cabernet Sauvignon) and leafy and fennel notes (Merlot). Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from Tokara and Thelema show citrus and white fruit on the nose and a high natural acidity due to cool cultivation conditions.

For Greater Simonsberg terroir in a bottle, try our mixed Greater Simonsberg case.

Sources: Wosa.co.za places.co.za Wineroute.co.za Wine Magazine The Essential Guide to South African Wines John Platter Wine Guide 2008 & 2009