Walker Bay

Located just 60 miles from Cape Town, the Walker Bay region is any idyllic coastal wine growing region, with majorly diverse wine styles and cute towns. It’s the perfect weekend getaway spot for city residents.

A cool maritime climate in Walker Bay creates the perfect conditions for producing a tremendous diversity of wines. You’ll find the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in South Africa from producers like Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson as well as Sancerre-like flinty Sauvignon Blanc from Bertho-Eksteen. Move a bit west and you’ll discover Northern-Rhone-like Syrah (see Luddite Wines) that’ll give Guigal a run for their money. Just a few miles from them, there are Cap Classique sparkling wines that deserve to be in the same conversation as Champagne. You’ll even find ‘Cape Red’ blends that will vividly display the new age of Pinotage.

This wonderful variety is due to the broad collection of towns and wine growing regions that encompass Walker Bay. Starting with its core, this region’s center is the coastal town of Hermanus, which is world-famous for epic whale watching. People travel from all over the world for this alone. Due north of this quaint little town, just over the coastal mountain range, is the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, where the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in South Africa is made. West of this is Bot River where Syrah and Chenin Blanc are king; while east of it is Stanford with pretty and nuanced wines of many types.

The proximity to the icy Atlantic Ocean plays a vital role in the winemaking process in Walker Bay. Thanks to the Antarctic Benguela Current, the vineyards benefit from cooling maritime breezes during the long, sunny summers. This critically important marine flow pulls frigid Arctic waters to move up the west coast of South Africa, which creates the country’s Mediterranean climate. This pattern and climate response is nearly identical to what we feel here in California from the Humboldt Current. Aside from temperature impact, the ocean creates consistent fresh breezes that contribute to an extended ripening period, allowing the flavors to concentrate while maintaining wonderful acidity.

Walker Bay’s soils predominantly consist of Bokkeveld shale and Table Mountain sandstone, which have a high clay content, particularly in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. These well-drained soils retain water effectively, providing an ideal environment for premium grapes. Vines in the region develop deep root systems, accessing the water stored below the surface, resulting in lower yields and heightened flavor and aroma concentrations. Additionally, some small pockets of weathered granite with excellent drainage can be found in the central Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Sunday’s Glen.

The Hemel-en-Aarde valley stands out as the most internationally recognized among this coastal region. Translating to ‘Heaven on Earth’ it’s another of those places in South Africa that amazes with its natural beauty. This striking valley is divided into three distinct sub-regions: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards played a pioneering role in establishing viticulture and winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde. Their vision began in 1975 when Tim Hamilton Russell acquired an untouched 425-acre property and began planting vineyards. His son, Anthony Hamilton Russell, took the reins in 1991, focusing exclusively on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and officially registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as an Estate, committed to showcasing the unique terroir of their vineyards. Today, Anthony, alongside his wife Olive, winemaker Emul Ross, and viticulturist Johan Montgomery, wholeheartedly devote themselves to capturing the essence of the region in their wines.

Anthony and Olive have worked tirelessly for decades to grow awareness of their wine and region. Since Apartheid ended (1994) they have travelled extensively to share their story and that of South African wine, bringing international appreciation to remarkable heights. They also researched the region and its soils and microclimate extensively, which led to the official demarcation of the three subregions mentioned above. Truly, if it weren’t for this duo, there’s no way the quality of the region – and possibly all of South Africa – would be as high or internationally appreciated as it is today.

Along with this legendary duo, other important producers from the region are, Bouchard Finlayson, Bertho-Eksteen, Newton-Johnson, Restless River, Crystallum, Storm, Alexandra McFarlane, Domaine des Dieux, and Creation (just to name a few).

Moving east from Hermanus, Stanford is a hidden gem known for its tranquil beauty and exceptional wines. The vineyards benefit from the cooling breezes that sweep in from Walker Bay, creating a moderate climate ideal for the cultivation of cool-climate grape varieties. With a focus on sustainable and artisanal winemaking practices, Stanford is gaining recognition for its quality-driven wines and has become a sought-after destination for wine enthusiasts seeking an authentic and intimate wine experience in South Africa. Our guys at Maanschijn are based here.

The last sub-region of Walker Bay is Bot River. This region, just west of Hermanus, is also known in Afrikaans as ‘Oil Spot’ because rain runs directly off the alluvial, well-draining soils to the river and out to sea. Bot River showcases white varietals, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc; and is enriched by full-bodied, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinot Noir. The climate of Bot River is characterized by cool oceanic breezes from nearby Walker Bay and the Bot River Lagoon, which gently curves between the vineyards. The presence of Babylonstoren and Groenlandberg Mountains further adds to the region’s microclimate by capturing the cooling mists and moderating summer heat. This results in a long-ripening period, and deeply concentrated wines with pronounced aromatics and high acidity. Bot River is home to esteemed wine producers such as Genevieve, Luddite, Beaumont, and Gabriëlskloof, who are known for their cool-climate wines.

In addition to an exceptional and diverse set of wines, Hermanus, is renowned for its population of southern right whales. This alone attracts tourists from around the world for from June through October. Quite literally, you can sit on the bluffs of the bay, right in the center of town, and watch pod after pod of whales feeding in the large Walker Bay. It’s surreal and yet another example of South Africa’s stunning natural beauty.