Climates of the South African Wine Regions

The climate on the South-Western tip of South Africa is typically Mediterranean (latitudes 31° and 34° south and longitudes 18° and 22° east). The rainfall can vary from 4" per annum to 79" mm in the mountains. The vineyards lie just above sea level to approximately 1476 feet above sea level. This is a winter rainfall region. The coastal zone is made up of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Piketberg, Tulbagh and Durbanville. Rainfall in this area varies from 24" to 40" with 20% falling in the growing season, October to March.

Click here for full-size map

In the zone that yields more than 95% of the country's red wines we find scenic landscapes and majestic mountains. This area accounts for 51% of the areas under vines in South Africa. Vineyards in this area do not require supplemental irrigation, table grapes are intensively irrigated. This is the Paarl district where 17% of table grape vines are grown.

Further North in the coastal region, 175 miles north of Cape Town, the rainfall lowers to approximately 8" per annum. This is the Olifants River region. Intensive irrigation is undertaken here and the soil is exceptionally fertile along the river bank. Most grapes produced here are used for distilling and grape juice.

The first mountain range that separates the Coastal area from the interior is known as the Breede River Valley. It is approximately 1400 feet above sea level, and rainfall varies between 8" to 16" per annum. Vineyards require irrigation. 30% of the area under vine in South Africa is found here. The wine growing districts in this area include Worcester and Robertson.

Adjacent to the Breede River Valley is the narrow valley named Hex River, more than 50% of South Africa's table grapes are grown in this area. Some 497 miles north of Cape Town is the remote Orange River region. It is a semi-desert region, with an annual rainfall of 8". With temperatures reaching some 110°, evaporation as high .6" daily, this extensively dry part of the world requires intensive irrigation.