Fun Facts About South African Wine

Bregje van Weezel lives with her family in Cape Town, South Africa. She writes about her experiences in this colourful but also complex country. In this column, she shares her enthusiasm and knowledge about the South African wine industry. Her stories are never too dry or too heavy—and this column fits her (wine-loving) personality perfectly.If you want to read more about everything she loves in South Africa, you can follow Bregje on Instagram @vin_ik_leuk Image: Unsplash

We were toasting the new harvest—and we had something else to celebrate too. South African wine had a birthday! And we know the exact date: in the diary of the first Cape governor, it was written that on February 2nd, 1659, the first wine was made. The fact that we even have that date recorded is special in itself—but there are plenty more fun facts about South African wine.

Adam and Eve

Aside from the fact that nowhere in the world produces as much Chenin Blanc as South Africa, one of the most remarkable facts to me is that wine is grown here on the oldest soils on Earth. And when it comes to making wine, it’s not just about grapes and technique—it’s also very much about the soil.

You may be wondering: “What do you mean, oldest soil? Our soil isn’t exactly new either.”Here’s the thing—some of the mountains in the Cape winelands are more than 500 million years old. Back then, Africa was still part of Gondwanaland, before it broke away from South America, India, and Australia. Adam and Eve weren’t even born yet—that’s how old this soil is. And that alone makes South African wines unique in the world. If you ask me, we can stop referring to it as the “New World.”

35 Years Old

That the old is cherished here is clear from the existence of the Old Vine Project.This initiative protects vines that are more than 35 years old. (Be glad you're not a vine—because at that age, you're considered elderly.) The project also created a special Old Vine label for bottles—a globally unique certification.

Just like the sustainability seal you’ll find on the neck of almost every South African wine bottle. South Africa was also the first in the world to implement such a certification. Not surprising, considering that 95% of South Africa’s vineyards lie within one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Here, sustainability isn’t just expected—it’s second nature.

Also found on every South African wine bottle: the words “Wine of Origin” or the abbreviation “W.O.”By law, every label must clearly state the vintage, the grape variety, and where the grapes were grown. That means you can always trace whether it’s an estate wine or from a single vineyard. It’s all about transparency—something not commonly required elsewhere.And let’s be honest, that gives you something interesting to read between sips!