South Africa’s Top 20 Wineries over the past 10 years – 2006 to 2015

WHICH ARE THE TOP wineries in South Africa? The best overall – the Top 20 producers, say? Such a selection cannot be without some controversy, largely because it depends on how you measure the leading cellars, and when. Do you consider the top label, a single wine from each cellar, or should we look at everything they produce, or maybe something in between? Do you focus on the past year, perhaps the last three years, or longer?Top Wine SA Classification logo - 2016, tweaked

Among the Cape’s outstanding outfits in recent times, the team at Mullineux in the Swartland seems destined for greatness but they have yet to celebrate their 10th vintage; David & Nadia Sadie began their venture outside Malmesbury as recently as 2010; and Alheit near Hermanus has only been a serious contender since 2011. On the other hand, when do top producers drop in the rankings due to waning performances – how long before yesterday’s heroes can be accused of resting on their laurels, falling behind?!

Good track records mean a lot, obviously, and a 10-year history is surely the bare minimum when gauging a meaningful pecking order in the current era – taking into account recent reviews but on the understanding that great reputations aren’t built (or forfeited) ‘overnight’. For the Top 20 wineries on this basis, see below, and for the full/latest SA Cellar Classification, SEE HERE.

TOP 20 SA WINERIES 2016 – BEST TRACK RECORDS 2006 TO 2015

Boekenhoutskloof – Franschhoek home of Boekenhoutskloof, Chocolate Block, Porcupine Ridge
Cape Point Vineyards – Noordhoek, Cape Peninsula
Cederberg Private Cellar – home of Cape Atlantic, Cederberg, David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner
Chamonix – Franschhoek
Fleur du Cap (Bergkelder) – Stellenbosch
Graham Beck Wines – Robertson
Guardian Peak – Helderberg/Stellenbosch home of Cirrus, Guardian Peak, Stellenbosch Reserve
Hamilton Russell Vineyards – Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, outside Hermanus
Jordan Wine Estate – Stellenbosch Kloof
Kanonkop Wine Estate – Simonsberg, Stellenbosch
Ken Forrester Vineyards – Helderberg, Stellenbosch
Kleine Zalze – Stellenbosch
Nederburg – Paarl
Paul Cluver Wines – Elgin
Rustenberg Wines – Simonsberg, Stellenbosch
Sadie Family Wines – Malmesbury, Swartland
Saronsberg – Tulbagh
Simonsig Wine Estate – Koelenhof, Stellenbosch
Tokara – Helshoogte, Simonsberg, Stellenbosch
Vergelegen – Helderberg, Somerset West

 

For info about the top SA wine cellars plus links to their email and website addresses, see here

 

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