Overberg Wine – A Sense of Place

By Jean Pierre Rossouw

Our wine region begins as you cross “over the mountain” (Over-Berg) at Sir Lowry’s Pass. Immediately, you’re enveloped by a sense of expansiveness – more farmland, more wild terrain, interspersed with carefully cultivated pockets of vines.

Each area in the Overberg has become renowned for certain varieties or styles of wine, shaped by its unique microclimate: The beautiful Elgin Valley, perched at altitude, which means cooler nights and mild days, is known for fine Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Bot River at the foot of the Houw Hoek Pass, with its windy, warmer climate, is famed for Chenin Blanc and Pinotage; you will also find great Shiraz and Cabernet Franc.

On to seaside Hermanus, where the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley has gained world-renown for its elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Further east, around the picturesque village of Stanford, you will find small wineries that make lovely maritime-influenced blends, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage. From here you travel to the wild and windy climate and topography of Cape Agulhas, where Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah are the calling cards of a dynamic wine-growing area that is a rising star.

Welcome to our wine region! The Overberg’s diverse landscapes and wines cannot be fully appreciated in just a day or two. Take your time to explore this captivating area – we promise these will be days long remembered, filled with discovery and delight.