Wine Estates

　　    The history of grape cultivation in South Africa began in 1656. At that time, Jan van Riebeeck, the governor of the Cape Colony, planted the first vines at the foot of Table Mountain. Later, the French Huguenots began making wine in the Paarl and Stellenbosch regions. To this day, descendants of the Huguenots are still involved in the wine industry in that area.

　　    In the early 20th century, the situation of South African wine was not optimistic, with a surplus. As a result, the Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika (KWV) was established in 1918 to create a strong system for coordination, aiming to protect grape growers. By the 1930s, the number of private vineyards had increased.

　　    Some of the more well-known South African wines include Fairview’s Perdeberg Ridge from the prestigious Shiraz wines, and Hamilton Russell’s Pinot Noir from Hermanus at the southern tip of Africa.

　　    Fairview Estate is one of the most beautiful estates in the Cape, located on the lower slopes of Paarl, covering an area of 412.5 acres. Its soil consists of weathered granite and sandstone, which is very suitable for growing Shiraz grapes. Its wines are aromatic and affordable, with an annual production of 100,000 cases. Fairview also produces Pinotage, made from South Africa’s hybrid grape variety.

　　    Hamilton Russell’s Hemel-en-Aarde Estate is located at the southernmost tip of Africa, facing the South Atlantic Ocean. Influenced by the cool maritime climate, it is highly suitable for growing Pinot Noir grapes. The vineyard has a distinctly African character, beautiful and fragrant with vanilla. The vineyard is situated on a hillside with 16 different types of stony soils, just 3.2 kilometers from the bay. Grapes are handpicked, sorted, and then crushed. Believe it or not, the taste of Hamilton Russell wines is reminiscent of French Burgundy wines.

　　 Cape Town, South Africa