Why South African Wines Are Worth Trying

This post was created in partnership with Babylonstoren. As always, all opinions and experiences are my own. Read more about how I approach brand partnerships in my editorial standards.

South African wines were never really on my radar until a trip to the Cape Winelands a few years ago. After spending a few days exploring the wineries outside Cape Town, I realized just how much I had been missing. Where had these wines been all my life?

The region is home to stunning landscapes and sprawling vineyards, with tasting rooms serving exceptional wines at prices that feel almost too good for the quality in the glass.

One evening in particular still stands out: a long, leisurely dinner featuring farm-to-table dishes paired with the estate’s wines at Babel, a restaurant on the grounds of Babylonstoren. It was one of those meals you wish you could experience again and again.

At the time, I assumed those wines would remain one of those travel memories you can only relive on a return trip. Then, last year in Charlotte, one of our favorite local restaurants hosted a wine dinner featuring none other than wines from Babylonstoren.

Seeing wines I had tried in South Africa show up halfway across the world, in my own backyard, was incredibly exciting and that evening’s wine pairings reminded me just how special the country’s wines truly are.

If you’ve been curious about exploring South African wines—or simply want to branch out from your usual bottles—I’ll share why they’re worth discovering and where I recommend starting.

What Makes South African Wines Unique

I love a great under-the-radar wine region, and, for many Americans, that’s South Africa. We’re all familiar with California Cabs, Argentinian Malbecs, New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, and a number of French and Italian varieties, but South Africa is not usually top of mind. 

It might not be the first bottle you are used to reaching for, or one readily available at your local restaurants, but I’m here to tell you that you should be reaching for South African wines any chance you get. 

South Africa has been making wine for more than 350 years, with the first vineyards planted in the Cape, a fertile peninsula and growing region surrounding Cape Town, in the mid-1600s. Today, the country’s wines strike a compelling balance between Old World structure and New World fruit, which is part of what makes the wines so unique. 

When it comes to grape varietals, there are two that are signatures of the region, and I think both are excellent. Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted grape in the country and incredibly versatile, ranging from crisp, mineral-driven whites to richer, textured styles. 

On the red side, Pinotage is uniquely South African, a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut created in the 1920s, and produces everything from easy-drinking reds to more structured, age-worthy wines.

Beyond those two, you’ll also see some familiar faces, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz (a warmer climate name for Syrah often associated with New World wines, common in Australia), Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. The diversity of climates and soils across famous wine regions like Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Swartland allows winemakers to produce a wide range of styles from elegant Bordeaux-style blends to vibrant coastal whites. 

What does that mean for you? No matter your palate, you’ll find a wine you love here; familiar enough to enjoy, but distinctive enough to feel like a true discovery. Something you’ll want to return to again and again.

In recent years, a new wave of producers have focused on quality, old vines, and minimal-intervention winemaking, helping South African wines gain well-deserved global recognition.

The result? Wines that feel both classic and distinctly South African — expressive, food-friendly, and often an exceptional value for the quality in the bottle. 

That combination of approachability, character, and affordability is exactly why so many wine lovers are beginning to explore South African wines more seriously.

Babylonstoren: Your Perfect Introduction to South African Wines

If you’re wondering where to start exploring South African wines, one producer that captures the spirit of the region particularly well is Babylonstoren.

Babylonstoren’s wines are meant to be shared, and that’s exactly what I’ve done with every bottle I’ve had—even if part of me wanted to hoard them for myself. I know that no matter which bottle I open, and no matter who I share it with, the wine is going to be a hit.

I can actually recall every evening I’ve opened up one of their bottles because they also coincided with special moments with family and friends. Like a recent cabin trip we took with two other couples. We opened up a Babylonstoren Shiraz to go with dinner, a comfort food pairing of veggie chili mac and cheese with homemade jalapeño cheddar bread enjoyed by the fireplace, and everyone was still raving about the wine the next morning.  

That’s what sets this winery apart. It’s not just excellent wine but each one is this unique expression of something that is familiar yet different; memorable in this intangible, yet palpable, way that you can still recall long after the evening is over.

Babylonstoren’s wines strike this perfect balance between enjoying a glass of wine by itself and pairing exceptionally well with almost any cuisine. These wines can elevate any meal from a casual plate to a memorable pairing, which is why I love to open a bottle with dinner. After all, the best conversations happen over great food and wine.

Where to Try Babylonstoren’s Wines

There are a few ways you can get ahold of Babylonstoren’s wines. You can, of course, make a visit to the winery in the Franschhoek wine valley. Which, I highly recommend you do. But for those of us who can’t just casually jet off to South Africa, have no fear because there are other ways to sample this incredible wine.

Wine Tasting in Charlotte, NC

If you’re located in Charlotte, NC or in the area, I am co-hosting a wine tasting with Babylonstoren on April 27th, 2026. This is the perfect opportunity to try their wines and of course, hang out with me!

Tickets will be on sale soon. Sign up for the Waiting List and I will shoot you an email as soon as they are available. 

Join Their Wine Club

You can visit their online shop and purchase any number of wines but, in my opinion, the best and most fun way to get a hold of some of the wine is through Babylonstoren’s wine club. 

It’s just $100 for a quarterly shipment of three wines + a special gift. My most recent shipment had this savory, bold olive oil in it that I drizzled on top of some fresh baked bread and a pasta salad we made. Yum.

You also get exclusive access to wines that are only available to wine club members so if you end up loving the wines, this is a great way to try some more unique bottles. There’s no minimum commitment and shipping is free. I call that a huge win.

Bringing South African Wines Into Your Rotation

If you’ve been looking to branch out and try wines outside of your regular rotation, a South African wine should be your next purchase. They are complex yet approachable, and consistently overdeliver for their price point, which is why South Africa has earned a spot among my favorite wine regions.

If you want a producer that perfectly captures that balance in every glass, Babylonstoren is an excellent place to begin your journey into South Africa’s wines. And if you decide you love what you taste, their wine club makes continuing that journey of discovery an effortless experience.