It’s an exciting time for South Africa’s wine industry, with its wines being celebrated globally for their exceptional quality. Local winemakers are passionate about sharing this excellence closer to home, inspiring more of us to celebrate these bottles. With insights from industry experts, we explore the direction South African wine is taking, offering a glimpse of the trends shaping the future.

Working with nature

Winemakers are increasingly adopting a “work with nature” philosophy, acknowledging the impact of climate change. This means planting more drought-resistant Mediterranean varieties suited to South Africa’s climate, such as Assyrtiko and Albariño, as well as exploring terroir-specific expressions. Producers are making wines that tell the story of their origin.

According to Rene Groenewald, Woolworths Cheese and Wine Specialist, this shift is underpinned by a focus on minimal intervention. Grape varieties are also gaining prominence as single-varietal wines, celebrated for their unique structure, texture and flavour. “Rosé wines have seen a significant rise in popularity over the last five years and have shown consistent growth in the Woolworths range. Once considered a summer drink, rosé is now enjoyed year-round, and winemakers are producing more serious, complex, and diverse styles.”

New territories

In terms of winemaking techniques, Maryna Calow, Communications Manager at Wines Of South Africa, shares that unlike when making beer or spirits, winemaking doesn’t work on a recipe basis. You use what nature gives you and this can vary from year to year. “Think about it, vineyards are planted, but only reach maturity in four years, which is when the first vintage can be produced. From here, you really only get one chance each year to create wine. In the past, natural yeasts to ferment wines were only used by the ‘braver’ producers, but nowadays it’s the norm.”

South Africa’s vineyard landscape is expanding beyond its traditional regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Constantia, with winemakers exploring new territories. WSET educator, wine writer, and judge Cathy Marston highlights the Garden Route and the Northern Cape as regions to watch. “Lowerland has been producing exceptional wines from Prieska,” she notes, “and it’s only a matter of time before others start looking into this region for themselves.”

More emerging areas worth keeping an eye on, says Maryna, are Elim, the Cederberg, and the Koue Bokkeveld, all of which are gaining attention for their unique terroirs and the exciting wines they produce.

Sommelier and Eat Out Woolworths Wine Service Award recipient Bafana Zondo recently visited KwaZulu-Natal, where he discovered wines with a distinctly European influence. “The environmental conditions of the Midlands are similar to parts of Europe,” he explains. “This results in wines with an Old World delicacy, a leaner style, and a lovely minerality. These wines are truly starting to spread like wildfire across the country’s consumer shelves.”

As South Africa’s winemaking frontier expands, these newfound regions are shaping the future of the country’s already excellent wine quality.

Changing consumer palates

While Sauvignon Blanc and red blends remain South Africa’s top choices, wine drinkers are embracing lighter reds, such as Cinsault, Grenache and Pinot Noir, and exploring niche sparkling styles like Pét-Nat. Cathy notes that the younger generation is adventurous but health-conscious, seeking low-alcohol wines that fit with sustainability and wellness trends. She says that Chenin Blanc continues to shine as the country’s flagship white, thanks to its incredible versatility.

Maryna echoes this, explaining that the variety’s versatility sees it comfortably filling the gap between the zestier and more acidic Sauvignon Blancs and the richer Chardonnays. “What really allows Chenin Blanc to stand out is how well it pairs with food, as well as the fact that, stylistically, consumers can enjoy fresher and fruitier versions, something with a bit of wood, and depth, dessert-style wines and even Cap Classique.”

“Embracing Chenin Blanc and Pinotage over the years, winemakers are now making them in more modern styles – light, fresh and easy-drinking – and the reception has been exceptional across the board,” adds Bafana.

Wine writer Raphaela van Embden says wine drinkers are becoming more curious.  “They’re less scared of ‘getting things wrong’. With a rise of young, experimental winemakers and quirky wine labels, as well as a general increased interest in where our food and drinks come from and how they’re made, the South African wine space has become a lot more playful.”

Sustainability in focus

As consumers demand transparency and environmental responsibility, South African wine producers are leading the way. Rene says that initiatives like SAWIS and the Old Vine Project are fostering a deeper connection between the land and the bottle.

“In South Africa, we do it better than most in the sense that we are leaders when it comes to sustainability practices (both environmental and social),” adds Maryna. “We need to tell these stories, and we need to highlight the good things that come from wine.”

Embracing innovation

The industry’s openness to innovation goes beyond actual winemaking. Screw caps, canned wines, and boxed options are now the norm and are suitable for our modern lifestyles. Woolworths’ launch of canned wines reflects this trend. “It offers better resistance to oxidation compared to box wine and has no risk of cork taint. We are also exploring plastic bottles from non-virgin material,” says Rene.

Raphaela notes that online shopping has also been a great equaliser in access and that there’s seen a far wider demographic buying wine online since Covid. With regards to ordering wine in a restaurant setting, she emphasises the importance of speaking to wine stewards or sommeliers. “More and more front-of-house staff in South Africa are gaining incredible wine knowledge. No one expects you to walk into a restaurant knowing the Platter’s Wine Guide by heart. Restaurants want you to have the best experience possible, and that includes helping you pick the best wine for your meal at the price you’re willing to spend.”

Looking Ahead

In the next decade, South Africa’s wine industry is set to see even greater global recognition. Its special blend of heritage and innovation ensures a dynamic future. As Rene aptly puts it, wine is not just about the bottle but about the stories it tells; the land, the hands, and the traditions behind it. “South Africa has no shortage of young, ambitious, technically competent and brave winegrowers and winemakers who are helping to shape the future.”

Woolworths is the headline sponsor of the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards, taking place on 31 March 2025. Stay tuned to Eat Out for further updates or sign up for our weekly newsletter to get all the news straight to your inbox!

Images: Unsplash