9 Best wine estates for shiraz tastings

If there’s one place in South Africa to taste shiraz at its most expressive, it’s the Swartland – where the variety is the most widely planted grape and the region's climate makes it thrive.

As one aficionado recently put it, the Swartland produces wine with real “backbone and bite.”

The Leeuwenkuil Heritage Syrah from Leeuwenkuil is one that stands out. Wine tasting at Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards is available by appointment only, with options including themed tastings with winemakers, cellar tours, or vineyard visits.

But Leeuwenkuil is far from the only star.

The 2025 Shiraz Report by Winemag features the following from the Swartland under the top 10: Klein Amoskuil Die Nagmuis Bush Vine Syrah 2023, Raar Carbonic Maceration 2024, Kasteelberg Syrah 2024 and Von The Sir. 

If you lack the time to drive from cellar to cellar – quite a few have tastings by appointment only – most are available from The Wine Kollective, a wine shop in the middle of the town of Riebeek-Kasteel. Pay special attention to the quirky labels and the names of the wines too; it adds to the whole fun experience. 

Fairview the main focus is shiraz. Their first vintage under the Fairview label was in 1974. 

Nowadays they have a few: The Beacon Shiraz (from the Swartland) in the Top 12 SA Shiraz, Eenzaamheid Shiraz (from Paarl) awarded 4.5 stars in the Platter’s Wine Guide, and Lanner Hill Syrah (from Darling), of which the maiden vintage of 2021 was awarded 96 points by Tim Atkin, an award-winning wine writer and Master of Wine with over 30 years’ experience in the world of wine. All of these are Single Vineyard Shiraz. There’s also Fairview the Shiraz from a couple of different vineyards in their setup. 

Cyril Back, father of the third-generation owner of Fairview, Charles Back, was the driver to plant shiraz back in the day in Paarl; it turned out he was correct in believing that Paarl is a great region for this cultivar.

Chief winemaker Anthony de Jager firmly believes that shiraz is “a great variety for South Africa; it’s super versatile, either as a straight variety or in a blend, (and it’s) also open to a broad range of styles from rich and robust to delicate and intense.” It’s his “favorite red to work with, but also to enjoy”.

There are loads of reasons to plan an outing to Fairview: The Goatshed Restaurant offers wholesome comfort food, at the Tasting Room tastings are offered in barrel-shaped pods, you can shop at the deli and bakery, their cheese tastings remain popular and the Goat Tower never neglects to evoke smiles. 

Kleine Zalze has a colourful history, starting with a census done in 1692 and ending with the modern-day wine farm that it is today. 

Cellarmaster RJ Botha says that at Kleine Zalze wines “syrah is one of (their) favourite cultivars to work with”; they work with vineyards “from quite diverse growing areas – some from the mountain slopes of Stellenbosch to as far afield as Piekenierskloof”. For him “syrah challenges (them) to balance power with elegance – and that’s where the magic lies”. 

Amongst their many awards the following stand out: the Vineyard Selection Syrah 2022 in the Top 10 in the Winemag Prescient Shiraz Report 2025 and a Double Gold for the Family Reserve Syrah 2020 in the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2024. 

Wine tastings are conducted under vines or oak trees in summer or in the cosy wine tasting centre in winter. The menu at the Kleine Zalze Restaurant with its motto of Taste, Explore, Relax, changes regularly; in winter you could look forward to dishes like mushroom cannelloni with sautéed baby marrow and smoked mozzarella sauce, a sirloin steak with triple cooked chips and bearnaise sauce and hot cross bread and butter pudding.

When you arrive at De Grendel you are first amazed by the wonderful view of Table Mountain, then by their superb range of wines.

Cellar master Charles Hopkins says he “started his career at Bellingham where the first shiraz in South Africa was made and (since then he’s) had an affinity for the varietal because of its versatility and unique ability to reflect a true sense of place.”

At De Grendel they produce three shirazes, each with its own distinctive style. The De Grendel Shiraz is “a traditional coastal expression – full-bodied and mouth-filling, with dark fruit, richness, and longevity.” Op Die Berg Syrah “offers a more modern approach: lighter, peppery, with lower alcohol and less oak.” And then there’s the Elim Shiraz, available only in 1.5L magnums, “which captures the true terroir of the Southern Cape, with notes of liquorice, fynbos, and a subtle saltiness.”

For the first time in the Shiraz SA Top 12 Challenge’s history, a single producer has claimed three of the Top 12 in 2025; that producer is De Grendel. These wines are De Grendel Op Die Berg Syrah 2023 and Op Die Berg 2022 as well as the De Grendel Shiraz 2021. 

Sitting down at De Grendel Restaurant is a treat  ̶  their contemporary Cape Town cuisine complements their wines. Enjoy Op Die Berg Syrah with braised beef short ribs and De Grendel Shiraz with pork neck, glazed gammon or venison.

Perdeberg Wines at the foothills of the Paardeberg Mountain was given its name – it translates to ‘horse mountain’ – from the Cape Mountain zebras that once freely roamed this area.  

Nowadays the cellar is known for its predominant use of unirrigated vineyards. Because these dry land vines have to overcome difficult growing conditions, they yield small berries with concentrated flavour and colour which deliver great wines. 

Winemaker Andri le Roux explains that their approach to shiraz is inspired by the classic Rhône style resulting in wines that are “elegant, delicate, and brimming with vibrant fruit intensity”; it also reflects “the unique character of (their) terroir”.

He describes The Dry Land Collection Tenacious Shiraz 2021 as “bold yet refined” adding that it has “a captivating bouquet of white pepper, cloves, fresh tobacco, and violets, the palate reveals layered flavours of mulberries, cherries, and aromatic fynbos”. This wine received a platinum award from the South African Wine Index, known for identifying South Africa's most exceptional wines and 91 points in the Wine Magazine Prescient Shiraz 2025 Report. 

Apart from wine tasting, Perdeberg offers relaxed dining in their restaurant or on an open lawn with tables in summer.

What’s interesting about tasting Syrah at Gabriëlskloof is that they have four very different Syrahs to taste which makes for an exciting lineup. 

First the Gabriëlskloof Whole Bunch Syrah, an “unwooded, whole-bunch fermented Syrah”, is tasted. This is followed up by the Gabriëlskloof Syrah, a “super-drinkable, excellent-value-for-money” Syrah. After that two Syrahs made in the same way but from “two wildly different sites on the farm” reflected in their names, Syrah on Sandstone and Syrah on Shale, are tasted side by side which makes for an “educational tasting experience”.

Cellarmaster Peter-Allan Finlayson feels that “syrah is a variety that makes average wines easily, but excellent wines in challenging terroir."

Being awarded 95 points from Tim Atkin for both their Landscape Series Syrah on Sandstone and Syrah on Shale is proof of the excellence of their wines. 

Apart from their range of syrahs there’s also Gabriëlskloof Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the Gabriëlskloof Restaurant and lastly, the Gabriëlskloof Farm House where you can stay over for a wine and foodie weekend.

At Strandveld Vineyards, the southernmost winery on our continent, they make their Strandveld Syrah and First Sighting Syrah in a lighter style, typical of their cool climate.

Winemaker Conrad Vlok has an absolute passion for shiraz. If he hears this cultivar mentioned, his mind goes to ancient Persia immediately, he says, and also the “deep purple colour of a glass of syrah”. And, “beautiful Persian carpets with its endless variety of designs, as complex as a good glass of shiraz”. Drinking a good bottle of shiraz is “like jumping on a magic carpet – it’s a world traveller’s wine”, he enthuses.

The Strandveld Syrah 2021 has delicate aromas of red berries, violets and lavender, evident from the first sip; it garnered a Gold Award from Gilbert & Gaillard 2023. 

The First Sighting Syrah 2022 is bold and fruit-driven with blackcurrant, dark plum and blackberry on the nose, on the palate plum, tart cherry and liquorice; it also received a Gold Award from Gilbert & Gaillard 2023.

From Strandveld Vineyards take a scenic drive to the picturesque mission town of Elim with its Moravian Church, whitewashed thatched cottages and fig trees and also make your way to the sleepy coastal hamlet of Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa.

Saronsberg Cellar is the number one thing to do in Tulbagh on Tripadvisor. With its rolling lawns, mountain and vineyard views, beautifully designed tasting room and sculptures in the garden, it’s a well-deserved placing. 

Winemaker Daniela Briedenhann has a deep affinity for shiraz which she views as “the flagship variety that thrives in Tulbagh’s unique terroir and climate, allowing for concentrated, full-bodied wines with distinctive character”. She shares one of her favourite wine-related memories, “pairing a wagyu beef burger and chips with a glass of Saronsberg Shiraz, and the simple yet profound pleasure it brings”.

In the 2025 Shiraz SA Challenge, Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2023 earned a spot in the Top 12 Shiraz. Additionally, their Shiraz 2022 achieved 1st place worldwide in the prestigious Syrah du Monde competition in France. 

The Saronsberg Collection art gallery is a must-visit too, featuring, amongst others, art by William Kentridge, Bettie Cilliers-Barnard, Walter Battiss, Sydney Khumalo and Norman Catherine.

Visiting Cederberg Wines, you will find yourself on the highest lying wine farm with the highest vineyards in the Cape Winelands. The Dwarsrivier farm is at the foot of the Sneeuberg Mountain in the Clanwilliam district.

According to cellarmaster David Nieuwoudt and head winemaker Jean Nel, “shiraz has become a synonym for South Africa and something our country is proudly known for”. At Cederberg they are “proud to work with two of the most unique climates in South Africa where shiraz thrives; this allows us to craft both shiraz and syrah styles, highlighting the diversity of the cultivar across our terroirs”. For them, “the joy lies in capturing both elegance and power, from peppery spice to violets and deep fruit, while staying true to the identity of each site”.

In the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2024 the Cederberg Shiraz 2021 was awarded Gold with 95 points as the South African Producer of the year. Also the Syrah du Monde title, one of the most prestigious global benchmarks for syrah, firmly placing Cederberg among the world’s elite. 

The tasting room features a pebble wall – each pebble was picked up from the bed of the Dwarsrivier, not too far from here – and a glass wall that allows visitors to get a glimpse of the barrel maturation cellar.