Cape Agulhas Wine Region sits at the southernmost tip of Africa and is located in the Overberg region of the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

A form of translation from Portuguese as the “Cape of Needles” named so after early navigators noticed that the compass north coincided with the true north of the region.

Until the 20th century the town was known as Cape L’Agulhas and today carries various versions from Cape Agulhas to L’Agulhas.

The town is situated on a rocky headland where the Atlantic and Indian oceans spectacularly collide.

Infamous for stormy winter months and rogue waves Cape Agulhas can sometimes really feel like the edge of the world!

The conflicting currents of warm and icy water causes fairly hazardous wave conditions and after many ship wrecks in bygone times a lighthouse was erected in 1848.

The lighthouse today is a major tourist attraction in the form of a museum and has a charming restaurant as an added feature.

The light is operated by Transnet National Ports Authority.

Cape Agulhas is part of the developing Agulhas National Park which is host to over 1 700 botanical species and the breeding site for many rare birds such as the African Black Oystercatcher.

The Wines of the Cape Agulhas Wine Region.

Vineyards are located around the town of Elim, roughly 16 kilometers (10mi) from the coast.

The wind is unrelenting, coming from both the southwest and the southeast.

Cape Agulhas is notorious for the many shipwrecks along its coastline throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Average summer temperatures here are only around 20°C (68°F), making it the coldest wine-producing area in the country.

The low temperatures lengthen the ripening season, allowing the grapes to develop concentrated flavors while retaining acidity.

The wind has both positive and negative effects in the vineyards.

The constant buffeting causes the vines to produce smaller berries with thicker skins, while producing less energy-sapping foliage.

The flavor concentration and tannins in these small grapes is much higher, resulting in more-complex wines.

The wind is also helpful in preventing mildew in the vines by creating movement in the leaf canopy. However, the wind can also be a curse.

Strong breezes can cause trouble for younger vines by damaging new shoots and young bunches.

Salty air can also be an issue as when the level of salinity in the soil becomes too high, irrigation is needed to wash it away despite the average annual rainfall of 450 millimeters (17 inches).

Soil types are so varied in this small region that it is not uncommon to find a variety of them in a single vineyard.

Table Mountain sandstone and shale are mainstays of the region, as is laterite, known locally as koffieklip (coffee-stone).

In the early 1990s, when vignerons first investigated the region’s viticultural prospects, they initially thought the laterite content of the soil would be too solid for grape cultivation.

Nowadays, the unique soil makeup is one of Cape Agulhas’ most defining features.

Things to do in the Cape Agulhas Wine Region.

A popular summer holiday destination for South Africans, Cape Agulhas and nearby Struisbaai, offers a great beach holiday destination.

Long walks on the beaches are popular for young and old.

Angling and fishing is popular amongst the harden sea-fearing folk.

Festivals and Events in the Cape Agulhas Wine Region.

When someone mentions Struisbaai or Cape Agulhas, the first thing that comes to mind is the harbour, the lighthouse or the various shipwrecks that lay below the waves.

But these southern towns hold some of the most colourful and adventurous events that show off the best that Cape Agulhas has to offer.

Festivals include the following – to name but a few.

• Cape Agulhas Mardi Gras
• Endurance Mountain Biking
• Struisbaai Geelstert Fees
• Agulhas National Park for nature walks and hikes.
• The Southern Tip Day.

We look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful region of South Africa.