Cape South Coast
The Cape South Coast is a recently designated South African wine region which is part of the Western Cape. It is located to the east of the Coastal region where most of South African wine production takes place. Due to its proximity to the ocean, cool climate grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are much more successful here than in most other parts of the country. Sparkling wine production is also experiencing some growth. Six wine-growing areas are located within its territory: Cape Agulhas, Elgin (considered the coolest part of South Africa), Overberg, Plettenberg Bay, Swellendam and Walker Bay.
The sub-regions: Hemel-en-Aarde
Hemel-en-Aarde (meaning "heaven and earth" in the Afrikaans language) is a wine region in Walker Bay in the Cape South Coast about 80 kilometers southeast of Cape Town. The proximity to the coast means that the region enjoys a distinctly maritime climate. Elegant, cool-climate wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a degree of Burgundian style are a particular specialty of the region, which has significantly increased its international reputation in recent years. The Antarctic Benguela Current from the Atlantic Ocean brings cooling breezes to the region. This oceanic influence means that average summer temperatures in Hemel-en-Aarde are significantly cooler than in areas further inland, such as Stellenbosch and Paarl. The clouds are surrounded by the surrounding mountains, trapping cool air and humidity in the narrow valley of Hemel-en-Aarde.