Explore the Unique Quality of South African Wines with Stellies Wines

South African wines are easily some of my favorite wines in the world. They’ve held a special place in my heart ever since we visited South Africa in 2022 on our honeymoon. Before this, I’d only had a handful of South African wines, primarily Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. When I got to experience this beautiful country firsthand, I was amazed by the entire world of wine that opened up to me there. I’m so excited to do a deep dive into all things South African Wines in this blog post. Discover the unique terroir, what makes these wines exceptional and information on a special importer bringing incredible value wines to the U.S.

The Uniqueness of South African Terroir

The Western Cape, particularly known for its wine production, experiences a wide range of microclimates due to variations in altitude, proximity to the sea, and prevailing winds. Along the coast, the cooling effect of the ocean moderates temperatures. This allows for the slow ripening of grapes and preservation of acidity, crucial for crafting elegant wines. Further inland, valleys shielded by mountains create warmer pockets ideal for cultivating bold red varietals. The diversity of the terroir allows South African winemakers to craft an array of wines.

Quality and Excellent Value Wines

As I’ve tasted South African wines over the years, the quality has been what’s kept me coming back for more. The main issue is finding that quality wine amongst all of the other wines offered on the market. The quality of South African wine is widely celebrated on a global scale, yet its presence in the United States market remains limited. Unfortunately, past high-volume South African wines brought into the U.S. have left negative impressions on consumers that still lingers today. Many people in the U.S. don’t associate high quality wines with South African wines, if they can even associate with them at all.

This scarcity can be attributed to various factors. These include distribution challenges, limited marketing efforts, and entrenched consumer preferences for wines from more traditional regions. While there are thousands of incredible, high quality South African wines out there, it is just a matter of getting them to the U.S. market at a great price point. Value is incredibly important to the consumer, and South African wines can be some of the best value wines there are.

Stellies Wines: Importer of Quality South African Wines

So now you want to try some amazing South African wine, but the question is “where do I get it?” From a trusted importer, that’s where. Stellies Wines emerges from the shared passion of two wine lovers with a bold mission: to acquaint individuals with the enchanting world of South African wines. Lorna and Patrick Dupree met in South Africa in 2016. When they moved to LA, they found that quality South African wines were hard to come by, and they wanted to help make these more accessible. Founded on a deep appreciation for the diverse terroirs and exceptional quality of South African wine, Stellies Wines aims to showcase the country’s rich viticultural heritage to the U.S. market.

With a focus on accessibility and education, the brand seeks to demystify South African wines. Stellies Wines invites wine lovers of all backgrounds to explore and savor the unique flavors and stories within each bottle. The goal is to ultimately integrate these wines into the fabric of everyday life in the U.S., much like their Californian, Australian, or Italian counterparts.

Stellies Wines Portfolio

I was lucky enough to taste through a few different wines from Stellies Wine’s Profile. Below are my tasting notes!

Life from Stone Springfield Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2022: If you love Sauvignon Blanc, this one is perfectly crisp and dry. It has juicy notes of lemon, passionfruit, and grapefruit. ~$25

Springfield Estate Albariño 2021: This is the first Albariño I’ve tried from South Africa! It’s full bodied, balanced by bright acidity and complemented with notes of stone fruit (apricot, nectarine) and minerality. ~$25

Niel Joubert Reserve Chenin Blanc 2019: This wine is complex and full bodied, perfect for sipping on it’s own or with a meal. It has notes of lemon curd, golden apple and peach with a dry finish and balanced by bright acidity. ~$25

Over the Mountain Syrah Rosé 2020: With Rosé season approaching, this one definitely does not disappoint. This wine has a mixture of floral notes, ripe grapefruit, red berries and tropical fruits. It’s crisp and dry, perfect for those warm sunny days ahead. Get your hands on it, there are only 13000 bottles made! ~$25

Niel Joubert Pinotage 2018: Pinotage is a classic South African grape variety that’s a crossing between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Full bodied and bold, this wine has notes of dark fruits, vanilla and baking spices with a touch of smoke and cedar. ~$25

Dieu Donné Cabernet Sauvignon 2018: If you’re a steak lover like me, this wine is the perfect pairing. There are some amazing Cabernet Sauvignon wines coming out of South Africa! This wine has notes of blackberries, blackcurrant, tobacco and spice. It’s well rounded with velvety tannins and a smooth mouthfeel. ~$35

Follow Stellies Wines on Instagram to stay up to date on new arrivals and sales!

Sustainability of South African Wines

In the South African wine industry, not only is the focus on producing quality wines, but also creating wines in a better way. If you’ve had a bottle of South African wine before, you may have noticed a small seal on the neck of the bottle. This seal is a guarantee of origin, vintage and variety as stated on the wine label. The seal also guarantees the winery met environmental credentials limiting chemical usage, water management, and the introduction of natural predators. For more information on the sustainability initiative and the seal, check out this video.

Through certification programs and ongoing innovation, the South African wine industry continues to lead by example. They are demonstrating that excellence in winemaking can harmonize with a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability.

Dive Deeper into South African Wines

Stellies Wines also has a blog you can check out for more information on all things South African Wines and terroir! To learn more about South Africa’s Coastal Wine Region check out my blog post, or my itinerary for our Honeymoon in South Africa.