Coastal Region

The history of South Africa’s wine industry finds its roots in the expansive Coastal Region, which remains a cornerstone of the Western Cape’s wine production. Constantia and Stellenbosch, in particular, have played vital roles in shaping the viticultural heritage of the country.

Governor Simon van der Stel, South Africa’s second governor, established a wine estate in Constantia. In 1679, he founded the town of Stellenbosch, naming it after himself. This marked a significant chapter in the region’s winemaking history.

During the late 17th century, French Huguenot refugees sought refuge in the Cape. They brought with them vineyards and their winemaking expertise, enriching their new homes, especially in the northern areas of Paarl, Tulbagh, and Swartland.

The Coastal Region stretches about 65 miles from north to south and 30 miles from east to west. To the west, the Atlantic Ocean forms its boundary, while the Boland Mountains in the east separate it from the Breede River Valley. In the south, the Hottentot Hollands Mountains shield the region from coastal influences, distinguishing it from the nearby Walker Bay and Overberg areas. Various standalone inselbergs, including Paarl Rock, Paardeberg, and Simonsberg, dot the landscape.

Benefiting from both ocean and mountain influences, the Coastal Region enjoys a diverse range of mesoclimates. Areas closer to the coast have maritime climates with abundant sea breezes, while those further inland experience more of a Mediterranean climate. The oceanic Benguela current, tracing the western coast of South Africa, brings cold westerly breezes to much of the Coastal Region. However, this influence diminishes further inland, such as in Paarl. The mountains to the west introduce cooling influences in the inland areas. Higher altitudes and trapped cloud cover contribute to vineyard refreshment and diurnal temperature variations, which positively impact grape cultivation in areas like Tulbagh and Franschhoek Valley.

The Coastal Region boasts a wide diversity of soil types. Coastal vineyards, stretching from Constantia to Darling, are often planted on weathered granite, with some deposits of Malmesbury shale in the Tygerberg Hills and Swartland. Further inland, Table Mountain sandstone prevails, particularly around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl.