Cape South Coast

Question 1

When was the Cape South Coast Region created?

Answer 1

2010

Question 2

Why was the Cape South Coast without viticulture until the 1990’s?

Answer 2

The KMW prohibited plantings, so no steps were taken until the monopoly ended in the early 1990’s.

Question 3

What mountain range divides the Coastal Region from the Cape South Coast?

Answer 3

Hottentots-Holland

Question 4

Which districts of the Cape South Coast border Stellenbosch to the west?

Answer 4

Overberg & Elgin

Question 5

Which district of the Cape South Coast Region was formerly part of the Breede River Valley?

Answer 5

Swellendam

Question 6

Which district of the Cape South Coast Region lies far to the east (250 miles!) of the rest?

Answer 6

Plettenberg Bay

Question 7

Which district of the Cape South Coast Region used to be a ward? When was it upgraded?

Answer 7

Elgin, upgraded in 2012

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinotage

Question 8

What is the coolest district in South Africa?

Answer 8

Cape Agulhas, in the Cape South Coast Region

Question 9

What is the overwhelming product of the Cape South Coast Region?

Answer 9

Cool climate grapes: sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay, and pinot noir predominate

Question 10

Which Cape South Coast winery pioneered the Walker Bay district?

Answer 10

Hamilton Russell Winery (1980’s)

Question 11

Hamilton Russell: Wines

Answer 11

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, only. No single vineyards, no reserve, just the two wines.

Question 12

Hamilton Russell: Other labels

Answer 12

Southern Right (Chenin and Pinotage)
Ashbourne (BDX varieties (?))
Not second wines, but separate vineyards

Question 13

What are the four wards of Overberg?

Answer 13

(northwest to southeast)
Elandskloof (very mountainous, bordering Breedekloof and Stellenbosch)
Theewater (valley floor south of Elandskloof, centered around the Theewaterskloof Dam)
Greyton (northerly, borders Robertson)
Klein River (south, borders Walker Bay)

Question 14

What is the climate of Bot River? Soil?

Answer 14

Gateway to the Walker Bay, beginning with the Bot River Lagoon, very cool and maritime in the south, becoming warmer as you move inland.

Bokkeveld Shale

Question 15

Hemel-en-Aarde: Climate

Answer 15

Transverse valley like Santa Barbara; simliar temperature inversion.
Elevation rises as one moves west to east through Hemel-en-Aarde, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde, and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge (in that order)

Question 16

What are the six wards of Walker Bay?

Answer 16

(west to east)
Bot River
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Stanford Foothills (foothills of the Kleinriviersberge)
Sunday’s Glen (eastern corner, borders Overberg and Cape Agulhas)

Question 17

What is the ward of Cape Agulhas?

Answer 17

Elim

Question 18

What are the three wards of Swellendam?

Answer 18

Stormsvlei (west, foothills of the Riversonderendberge)
Buffeljags (northeast, below the Buffeljags Dam)
Malgas (southeast, very coastal)

Question 19

What districts of the Cape South Coast Region contain no wards?

Answer 19

Elgin
Plettenberg Bay

Question 20

What are the three unincorporated wards of the Cape South Coast?

Answer 20

Napier (directly north of Cape Agulhas)
Stilbaai East (on the coast, directly south of Langeberge-Garcia)
Herbertsdale (inland, just southeast of Langeberge-Garcia)

Question 21

What is the Cape South Coast synonym for Riesling?

Answer 21

Weisser Riesling