The wine that arrived with the ships...

How did grapevines arrive in South Africa?

If you're reading these lines from South Africa, this story probably won’t surprise you. But for many others, it might come as a pleasant discovery: South Africa’s wine is not only delicious but also carries a fascinating history — one that arrived by sea over 350 years ago.

When people think of South Africa, they often imagine lions, photo safaris, poverty, or Table Mountain. But few realize that some of the world’s most fascinating wines are born right here – and the story of this wine journey is just as captivating as the taste of local Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, and many other fantastic wines.

wine testing cape town

wine testing cape town

wine testing cape town

Grapevines did not grow naturally in South Africa – they don’t occur here in the wild. While the local climate is well-suited for wine, the vines were brought over from Europe. It was the Dutch colonizer Jan van Riebeeck who introduced them in 1655, when he established a supply station at the Cape of Good Hope.The first wine in this part of the world was officially pressed on February 2, 1659. But these were not quality wines from vast vineyards – it was a practical step, mostly for the sailors, as wine helped fight off scurvy.

wine testing cape town

wine testing cape town

wine testing cape town

The real founder of serious winemaking was Governor Simon van der Stel, who arrived at the Cape in 1679. Around 1685, he founded the famous Constantia estate, planted the first vineyards of real significance, and laid the foundation for quality wine production in the region.

A little later, the wine from his Constantia estate was enjoyed by such famous personalities as Napoleon Bonaparte and Jane Austen.Bonaparte – during his exile on St. Helena Island, where he was imprisoned from 1815 until his death in 1821.And Jane Austen – the beloved English novelist who lived at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and became known for works like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Her characters could hardly imagine a dinner without a glass of Constantia wine.

wine testing cape town

wine testing cape town

wine testing cape town

wine testing cape town

wine testing cape town

wine testing cape town

In 1688, the French Huguenots arrived in the area, bringing with them their viticultural knowledge. They settled in Franschhoek and the surrounding areas. It was their contribution that elevated the quality of the wine and laid the groundwork for what we now know as the Cape Winelands.

Franschhoek south afrika wine testing

Franschhoek south afrika wine testing

Franschhoek south afrika wine testing

Today, the wine tradition in South Africa is stronger than ever – and it all began with one shipment of grapevines on a ship heading toward the shores of Cape Town.