Discover WCellar’s Top 10 SA wines of 2026

“This is a chic, pure blanc de blancs with fresh citrus and minerality, a delicate mousse and refined finesse. A superb Cap Classique showcasing intense freshness, nuanced lees complexity and an elegant, lingering finish.” – Katie Bailie, WCellar Category Manager: Wine, Beers, Spirits

“A striking expression of purity, precision and time. Made from 100% Chardonnay, it delivers remarkable freshness and lightness on the palate, despite its long maturation on the lees. The extended ageing adds depth without dulling the wine’s energy, showcasing just how luminous Chardonnay can be. Poised, focused and effortlessly refined, the 2016 reaffirms Madáme’s place among South Africa’s finest Cap Classiques.” – Ferda Barrow, Le Lude winemaker

TASTING NOTE: Fresh citrus aromas of naartjie and lemon are perfectly balanced with tertiary notes of almond and subtle brioche. An elegant and light entry leads into richness from time on the lees, displaying fresh fruit and intensity, elegance, ageability and finesse.

PAIR WITH: Duck liver parfait, Gruyère soufflé, semi-hard cheeses or creamy blue cheeses.

“The Vriesenhof team is dedicated to building a brand that is relevant to today’s wine drinker and we love their approach with this bold, easy-drinking Bordeaux blend.” – Katie Bailie, WCellar Category Manager: Wine, Beers, Spirits

“The Kallista embodies a lifetime of observation and wisdom accumulated among the vines and represents the very best expression of each vintage. A true expression of Stellenbosch and Vriesenhof.” – Adam Mason, Vriesenhof winemaker

TASTING NOTE: Deep in colour with richly layered aromas of cocoa, tobacco, leather and spice. Fine tannins lend a savoury character to the palate, otherwise packed with dense, ripe fruit flavours – a combination of savoury and sweet characters that provides depth and complexity. A richly concentrated blend with poise, depth and a lingering, structured finish.

PAIR WITH: Hearty meat stews, steak, or a creamy brie or camembert.

“White blends can be overlooked in South Africa, largely because many wine drinkers aren’t aware of their complexity and ageing potential. Tokara is changing that perception with this standout premium white blend, which shows how layered and refined a white blend can be.” – Katie Bailie, WCellar Category Manager: Wine, Beers, Spirits

“This is a classic blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, two varieties that have been blended for centuries and are a perfect match for one another. The wine is fermented and aged in blonde toasted French oak barrels and, as a result of careful styling and barrel selection, it has incredible character and depth coupled with zesty exuberance.” – Stuart Botha, Tokara winemaker

TASTING NOTE: A stunning South African white Bordeaux blend with a complex nose of passionfruit, pink grapefruit, and brioche, followed by a full, rich palate of citrus and orchard fruit, remarkable clarity and depth, and a zesty, lingering finish. Elegant, layered and beautifully balanced.

PAIR WITH: Pan-seared scallops with brown butter and stewed apricot mousse, and creamy seafood dishes infused with a hint of saffron.

“Capensis Silene is famous because it delivers Burgundian elegance, South African identity, and consistent excellence, making it one of the country’s most respected and sought-after Chardonnays.” – Katie Bailie, WCellar Category Manager: Wine, Beers, Spirits

“Those who think they don’t enjoy Chardonnay will be pleasantly surprised by the freshness and energetic acidity in this wine. But a few seconds after the first sip, the mouthfeel, subtle richness and lingering finish you’d expect from Chardonnay comes through, too. It is a versatile wine – sip and savour it on its own, or enjoy it with seafood or even red meat.” – Graham Weerts, Capensis winemaker

TASTING NOTE: This bright, expressive Stellenbosch Chardonnay opens with enticing aromas of lemon-lime, yellow peach and citrus blossom, layered with subtle vanilla pod. The palate is richly textured yet vibrant, showing tangy lemon drop, zesty citrus and a core of fine minerality. Biscuity nuances add depth, while a smooth, creamy mouthfeel enhances the wine’s natural richness. The finish is long and elegant, marked by bright salinity and elegant persistence.

PAIR WITH: Cream-based dishes, white meats, fresh fish grilled over the coals, oysters Rockefeller, and even lamb chops and dry-aged ribeye.

“The Waterford Rose-Mary is a pioneering South African rosé with a recognisable identity and loyal following. It was the first premium rosé released in SA before dry, Provencal-style rosés became popular – very much ahead of its time.” – Katie Bailie, WCellar Category Manager: Wine, Beers, Spirits

“The Rose-Mary stands out for its elegance, finesse, and the remarkable balance achieved through the Blanc de Noir style. Made from Mediterranean varietals and crafted with whole-bunch pressing, it delivers a delicate, complex profile that feels both refreshing and sophisticated.” – Mark le Roux, Waterford cellarmaster

TASTING NOTE: A pale, dry rosé with fragrant peach and cherry aromas, vibrant stone fruit on the palate, lively acidity, and a long, mineral-tinged finish.

PAIR WITH: Pork, poultry, and rich fish such as salmon or tuna. It also complements a variety of vegetarian dishes thanks to its freshness, fruit expression and subtle complexity.

“This wine was a standout at the CapeWine 2025 show, and it’s one of the best Merlots we’ve tasted in a long time. With a savoury character, ripe currant aromatics and a lingering finish of rooibos tea, this is a superb expression of the varietal.” – Charles Pohl, Woolworths Specialist Wine Buyer

“It stands out for its heritage, balance and sense of place. As South Africa’s first single-varietal Merlot in 1982, it reflects classic Stellenbosch structure, refined oak use, and consistently elegant fruit expression.” – David van Velden, Overgaauw winemaker

TASTING NOTE: Ripe plum and black cherry, layered with subtle cocoa, spice, and gentle oak. Fine tannins and fresh acidity give the wine a smooth, lingering finish and excellent drinkability, yet it’s beautifully structured for medium-term cellaring.

PAIR WITH: Rare roast beef, grilled or roast lamb, duck with cherries or berries, osso buco, slow-braised beef, mature hard cheeses, or mild blue cheese.

“This is a uniquely South African, fynbos-driven expression of Shiraz. It is elegant, aromatic and ahead of its time, making it a benchmark wine with enduring appeal.” – Katie Bailie, WCellar Category Manager: Wine, Beers, Spirits

“The Raka Erica Shiraz is a cool-climate expression from the Klein River Wine of Origin region…” – Josef Dreyer, Raka winemaker

TASTING NOTE: Aromas of plum and blackcurrant layered with white pepper spice, violet florals and gentle oak. The palate is balanced and refined, with a long, polished finish.

PAIR WITH: Herb-crusted roast lamb, wild mushroom risotto, roast duck, Moroccan-style lamb tagine, or aged hard cheeses.

“Lismore is a pioneering producer from Greyton…” – Charles Pohl, Woolworths Specialist Wine Buyer

“This is an elegant and refined Pinot Noir…” – Samantha O’Keefe, Lismore winemaker

TASTING NOTE: Red berries, rose petals, fynbos and white pepper, followed by cranberry and pomegranate with a dry, savoury finish.

PAIR WITH: Pulled slow-cooked leg of lamb with sticky dates and sumac.

TASTING NOTE: Cassis, dark fruits, olive brine and subtle herbaceousness woven into a powerful yet refined structure.

PAIR WITH: Braaied picanha steak.

TASTING NOTE: Floral and citrus notes, stone fruit, honey, toast and a crisp, mouth-watering acidity.

PAIR WITH: Creamy sweet-corn risotto and herb-crusted chicken.

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