2021 SA wine industry stats for the year that was – a local perspective

THE ANNUAL updates on the length, breadth, size and nature of the wine business in the leading wine-producing country on the continent of Africa can differ somewhat depending on whether you’re looking at things from inside or out. In April came an announcement from the OIV in Paris that in the world of wine South Africa’s national vineyard spanned 122 000 hectares, with production at 1004-million litres, of which 360m litres was exported. A few weeks down the line the latest figures from Paarl put South Africa’s total area under vine at 92 005 hectares, with production at 898-million litres, of which 318m litres was exported…

Highlights of the 2021 statistics (for the year 2020) published by South Africa’s Wine Industry Information & Systems (SAWIS) are given below. For the full reports, click here and here.

 

 

SA Wine Production, Sales

Annual grape harvest:  1.3-million tonnes crushed (vs 1.2m in 2019, vs 1.2m in 2018, vs 1.4m in 2017, vs 1.4m in 2016, vs 1.4m in 2015)
Annual wine production:  898-million litres (vs 836.8m in 2019, vs 824.3m in 2018, vs 918.7m in 2017, vs 898.4m in 2016, vs 968m in 2015)
Annual sales, domestic:  313.8-million litres, with 42.6% of still wine sales in glass, 10% in plastic, 44.2% bag-in-box, 3% in tetra pack (vs 390.5 million litres in 2019, 421.1m in 2018, vs 435.6m in 2017, vs 436.9m in 2016, vs 425m in 2015)
Annual sales, export:  317.9-million litres, with 42.9% packaged and 57.1% sold in bulk (vs 319.8-million litres in 2019, vs 420.2m in 2018, vs 448.4m in 2017, vs 428.4m in 2016, vs 420m in 2015)

 

SA Wine Industry Structure

Farms where grapes are grown for making wine:  2693 (vs 2778 in 2019, vs 2873 in 2018, vs 3029 in 2017, vs 3145 in 2016, vs 3232 in 2015)
Farms registered for ‘Estate Wine’ production:  220 (vs 220 in 2019, vs 213 in 2018, vs 207 in 2017, vs 209 in 2016, vs 210 in 2015)
Total number of wineries:  529, with 209 crushing fewer than 100 tonnes of grapes, 160 crushing between 100 and 500 tonnes, 49 crushing between 500 and 1000 tonnes, 59 crushing between 1000 and 5000 tonnes, 16 crushing between 5000 and 10 000 tonnes, 36 crushing over 10 000 tonnes (vs a total of 533 wineries in 2019, vs 542 in 2018, vs 546 in 2017, vs 568 in 2016, vs 566 in 2015)
Wholesalers:  111 (vs 107 in 2019, vs 121 in 2018, vs 122 in 2017, vs 118 in 2016, vs 104 in 2015), including 27 producing wholesalers (vs 28 in 2019, vs 27 in 2018, vs 26 in 2017, vs 27 in 2016, vs 24 in 2015)
Bulk wine buyers:  111 (vs 107 in 2019)
Co-operative wineries:  45 (vs 45 in 2019, vs 47 in 2018, vs 48 in 2017, 2016 and 2015)
Independent wineries:  457 (460 in 2019, vs 468 in 2018, vs 472 in 2017, vs 493 in 2016, vs 494 in 2015)

 

SA Vineyards and Cellars

Total area under vine, wine grapes: 92 005 hectares, vs 92 067ha in 2019, vs 93 021ha in 2018, vs 94 545ha in 2017, vs 95 775ha in 2016, vs 98 594ha in 2015. These figures are are not the same as areas to which Wine of Orgin certification applies.

• Stellenbosch plus Constantia, Durbanville: 15 085 hectares, 390 farms, 161 independent cellars, 2 co-operative cellars
• Paarl plus Franschhoek, Tulbagh, Wellington: 14 742 hectares, 419 farms, 113 independent cellars, 7 co-operative cellars
• Robertson: 12 801 hectares, 269 farms, 36 independent cellars, 8 co-operative cellars
• Breedekloof: 12 714 hectares, 194 farms, 16 independent cellars, 10 co-operative cellars
• Swartland plus Darling: 12 344 hectares, 185 farms, 27 independent cellars, 1 co-operative cellar
• Olifants River plus Lutzville: 9 403 hectares, 320 farms, 11 independent cellars, 3 co-operative cellars
• Worcester: 6 651 hectares, 199 farms, 10 independent cellars, 8 co-operative cellars
• Northern Cape: 3 463 hectares, 418 farms, 11 independent cellars, 2 co-operative cellars
• Cape South Coast: 2 621 hectares, 149 farms, 57 independent cellars, 0 co-operative cellars
• Klein Karoo: 2 181 hectares, 150 farms, 15 independent cellars, 4 co-operative cellars

 

SA Vineyards – White

Percentage of national vineyard: 55.4%

• Chenin Blanc:  18.6%
• Colombar(d):  11.4%
• Sauvignon Blanc:  10.7%
• Chardonnay:  7.2%
• Muscat d’Alexandrie:  1.7%
• Semillon:  1.1%
• Muscat de Frontignan:  0.9%
• Viognier:  0.8%

SA Vineyards – Red

Percentage of national vineyard: 44.6%

• Cabernet Sauvignon:  10.8%
• Shiraz / Syrah:  10%
• Pinotage:  7.2%
• Merlot:  5.9%
• Ruby Cabernet:  2.1%
• Cinsaut:  1.9%
• Pinot Noir:  1.3%
• Cabernet Franc:  0.9%

 


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SA Vineyards by District/Ward

Areas to which Wine of Orgin certification applies: 92 005ha overall (vs 98 437ha in 2019)

BREEDE RIVER VALLEY

Total area under vine: 32 120ha (vs 31 945ha in 2019)

Breedekloof
12 714ha under vine (vs 12 598ha in 2019), including Breërivier, Goudini, Rawsonville, Slanghoek
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (2832ha), Colombar (1859ha), Sauvignon Blanc (1326ha), Chardonnay (798ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (591ha), Semillon (386ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinotage (890ha), Shiraz (744ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (686ha), Merlot (647ha), Ruby Cabernet (530ha), Cinsaut (540ha)

Robertson
12 801ha under vine (vs 12 765ha in 2019), including Ashton (1320ha), Bonnievale (2556ha), McGregor (979ha) and various other wards
Most-planted white varieties: Colombar (1997ha), Chardonnay (1660ha), Sauvignon Blanc (1620ha), Chenin Blanc (1511ha), Muscat de Frontignan (433ha), Nouvelle (137ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (1308ha), Shiraz (889ha), Pinotage (733ha), Ruby Cabernet (548ha), Merlot (570ha), Pinot Noir (230ha), Red Muscadel (167ha)

Worcester
6 606ha under vine (vs 6 581ha in 2019), including Hex River Valley (38ha), Nuy (649ha), Scherpenheuwel (1330ha), Stettyn (344ha) and other wards
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (1912ha), Colombar  (1159ha), Sauvignon Blanc (662ha), Chardonnay (451ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (148ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinotage (407ha), Shiraz (399ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (269ha), Merlot (209ha), Ruby Cabernet (165ha)

CAPE SOUTH COAST

Total area under vine: 2 621ha (vs 2 656ha in 2019)

Cape Agulhas
284ha under vine (vs 289ha in 2019), including Elim and Gansbaai
Most-planted varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (118ha), Shiraz (72ha), Merlot (39ha)

Elgin
743ha under vine (vs 721ha in 2019): Elgin, Grabouw
Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (277ha), Chardonnay (113ha), Riesling (26ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinot Noir (111ha), Shiraz (73ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (39ha), Merlot (33ha)

Overberg
361ha under vine (vs 394ha in 2019), including Elandskloof, Greyton, Herbertsdale, Klein River, Napier, Theewater and various other wards
Most-planted white varieties: Chardonnay (59ha), Sauvignon Blanc (57ha), Chenin Blanc (24ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (53ha), Shiraz (38ha), Merlot (32ha), Pinot Noir (32ha)

Plettenberg Bay
72ha under vine (vs 69ha in 2019)
Most-planted varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (36ha), Chardonnay (14ha), Pinot Noir (12ha)

Walker Bay
1 004ha under vine (vs 1 024ha in 2019), including Hemel-en-Aarde (379ha), Bot River (388ha), Stanford (95ha) and various other wards
Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (257ha), Chardonnay (113ha), Chenin Blanc (50ha), Semillon (28ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinot Noir (136ha), Shiraz (136ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (71ha), Pinotage (49ha), Merlot (48ha)

COASTAL REGION

Total area under vine: 45 139ha (vs 45 378ha in 2019)

Cape Town
2 272ha under vine (vs 2 702ha in 2019), including Durbanville (1442ha), Philadelphia (590ha), Constantia/Tokai (436ha), Hout Bay (4ha) and elsewhere in Cape Town (246ha)
Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (986ha), Chardonnay (167ha), Chenin Blanc (100ha), Semillon (37ha), Muscat de Frontignan (27ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (454ha), Merlot (304ha), Shiraz (271ha), Pinotage (143ha), Cabernet Franc (48ha), Petit Verdot (34ha), Pinot Noir (28ha)

Darling
2 733ha under vine (vs 2 750ha in 2019), including the ward of Groenekloof (2349ha)
Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (588ha), Chenin Blanc (224ha), Chardonnay (141ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (442ha), Shiraz (411ha), Pinotage (213ha), Merlot (210ha), Cinsaut (82ha), Pinot Noir (80ha), Cabernet Franc (59ha)

Franschhoek
1 215ha under vine (vs 1 227ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Chardonnay (186ha), Sauvignon Blanc (181ha), Semillon (75ha), Chenin Blanc (52ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (185ha), Shiraz (155ha), Merlot (117ha), Pinot Noir (61ha), Cabernet Franc (37ha), Pinotage (30ha)

Lutzville Valley
2 962ha under vine (vs 2 929ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (962ha), Colombar (719ha), Sauvignon Blanc (377ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (108ha), Chardonnay (85ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinotage (140ha), Ruby Cabernet (141ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (115ha), Shiraz (85ha), Merlot (80ha)

Paarl
8 717ha under vine (vs 8 647ha in 2019), including Agter-Paarl (1688ha), Simonsberg-Paarl (1363ha), Voor Paardeberg (1792ha) and elsewhere in Paarl (3886ha)
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (1693ha), Chardonnay (635ha), Sauvignon Blanc (564ha), Viognier (143ha), Colombar (135ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (1417ha), Shiraz (1304ha), Pinotage (807ha), Merlot (607ha), Cinsaut (342ha), Malbec (108ha), Mourvèdre (94ha), Cabernet Franc (83ha), Petit Verdot (83ha)

Stellenbosch
Total area under vine: 12 357ha (vs 12 358ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (1641ha), Chenin Blanc (1240ha), Chardonnay (955ha), Viognier (100ha), Semillon (100ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (2509ha), Shiraz (1642ha), Merlot (1429ha), Pinotage (1050ha), Cabernet Franc (356ha), Pinot Noir (255ha), Petit Verdot (186ha), Malbec (131ha), Cinsaut (108ha)
BANGHOEK : 231ha under vine (vs 239ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Chardonnay (35ha), Sauvignon Blanc (23ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (56ha), Shiraz (37ha), Merlot (28ha)
BOTTELARY : 2 041 under vine (vs 2080ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (375ha), Sauvignon Blanc (232ha), Chardonnay (76ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (349ha), Pinotage (261ha), Shiraz (253ha), Merlot (226ha), Cinsaut (52ha)
DEVON VALLEY : 492ha under vine (vs 485ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (91ha), Chardonnay (29ha), Pinot Gris (21ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Merlot (97ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (84ha), Shiraz (57ha), Pinotage (65ha)
JONKERSHOEK VALLEY : 183ha under vine (vs 178ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Chardonnay (20ha), Sauvignon Blanc (18ha), Chenin Blanc (14ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (55ha), Merlot (19ha), Pinotage (19ha), Shiraz (18ha)
POLKADRAAI HILLS : 723ha under vine (vs 727ha  in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (140ha), Chenin Blanc (60ha), Chardonnay (45ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (134ha), Shiraz (111ha), Merlot (98ha), Pinotage (42ha), Cabernet Franc (31ha)
SIMONSBERG : 1 207ha under vine (vs 1 223ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (159ha), Chardonnay (122ha), Chenin Blanc (51ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (308ha), Merlot (157ha), Shiraz (123ha), Pinotage (102ha), Cabernet Franc (62ha)

Swartland
9 601ha under vine (vs 9 864ha  in 2019), including Malmesbury (3273ha), Paardeberg & Paardeberg South (1507ha), Riebeekberg & Riebeeksrivier (1025ha), St Helena Bay (33ha), Elsewhere in Swartland (3932ha)
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (2284ha), Chardonnay (558ha), Sauvignon Blanc (582ha), Colombar (192ha), Viognier (109ha), Semillon (90ha), Grenache Blanc (57ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (50ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Shiraz (1556ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (1241ha), Pinotage (1161ha), Merlot (479ha), Cinsaut (207ha), Mourvèdre (160ha), Grenache Noir (112ha), Malbec (102ha), Tinta Barocca (77ha), Petit Verdot (52ha), Ruby Cabernet (52ha)

Tulbagh
986ha under vine (vs 1 016ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (194ha), Colombar (94ha), Chardonnay (77ha), Sauvignon Blanc (62ha), Muscat de Frontignan (56ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Shiraz (125ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (86ha), Pinotage (53ha), Merlot (49ha), Pinot Noir (48ha)

Wellington
3 825ha under vine (vs 3 863ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (824ha), Chardonnay (318ha), Sauvignon Blanc (100ha), Colombar (90ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (592ha), Shiraz (526ha), Pinotage (418ha), Merlot (249ha), Cinsaut (197ha), Petit Verdot (64ha), Grenache Noir (55ha)

KLEIN KAROO

2 069ha under vine (vs 2 130ha in 2019), including the districts of Calitzdorp (287ha), Langeberg-Garcia (43ha), as well as Montagu (893ha) and various other wards
Most-planted white varieties: Colombar (695ha), Chenin Blanc (455ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (121ha), Chardonnay (77ha), Sauvignon Blanc (62ha), Ugni Blanc (61ha), Muscat de Frontignan (59ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Red Muscadel (83ha), Ruby Cabernet (75ha), Shiraz (72ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (55ha), Merlot (45ha), Pinotage (36ha)

OLIFANTS RIVER

Total area under vine: 6 274ha (vs 6 478ha in 2019)

Citrusdal
675ha under vine (vs 657ha in 2019), including Citrusdal Mountain (599ha including Piekenierskloof (484ha)), Citrusdal Valley (76ha)
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (115ha), Sauvignon Blanc (46ha), Palomino (46ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinotage (95ha), Grenache Noir (91ha), Shiraz (38ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (34ha), Cinsaut (36ha)

Spruitdrift
865ha under vine (vs 977ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Colombar (272ha), Chenin Blanc (233ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (46ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Shiraz (71ha), Pinotage (50ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (42ha), Merlot (40ha)

Vredendal
2 937ha under vine (vs 3086ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Colombar (1081ha), Chenin Blanc (819ha), Sauvignon Blanc (98ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (58ha), Chardonnay (44ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Shiraz (217ha), Pinotage (157ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (133ha), Ruby Cabernet (108ha), Merlot (84ha)

Elsewhere in Olifants River
1852ha under vine (vs 1894ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (645ha), Colombar (392ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (92ha), Muscat de Frontignan (40ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Shiraz (196ha), Pinotage (119ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (60ha), Ruby Cabernet (59ha), Merlot (45ha)

OTHER

Cederberg
101ha under vine (vs 101ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (17ha), Sauvignon Blanc (16ha), Bukettraube (11ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Shiraz (18ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (12ha)

Central Orange River
2 799ha* under vine (vs 3 040ha in 2019)
Most-planted white varieties: Colombar (1506ha), Chenin Blanc (733ha), Villard Blanc (158ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (104ha), Muscat de Frontignan (28ha), Sauvignon Blanc (24ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Shiraz (39ha), Ruby Cabernet (32ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (27ha)
* Excluding area under vine planted to Sultana (5370ha), which is generally regarded as a table grape rather than for winemaking

Ceres Plateau
42ha under vine

Douglas
43ha under vine

Hartswater
50ha under vine

Prieska
97ha under vine

Rietrivier FS
267ha under vine

 


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SA Wine Exports

To United Kingdom: 82.3-million litres (including 52.1m in bulk), vs 77m (47m in bulk) in 2019, vs 104m (68m in bulk) in 2018, vs 107m (69m in bulk) in 2017, vs 102m (66m in bulk) in 2016
To Germany: 65.5-million litres (including 53.86m in bulk), vs 66m (52m in bulk) in 2019, vs 92m (76m in bulk) in 2018, vs 84m (65m in bulk) in 2017, vs 79m (60m in bulk) in 2016
To Netherlands: 20.5-million litres (including 3.2m in bulk), vs 21m (4m in bulk), vs 20m (5m in bulk) in 2018, vs 23m (7m in bulk) in 2017, vs 22m (7m in bulk) in 2016
To USA: 18.1-million litres (including 9.1m in bulk), vs 10m (1m in bulk) in 2019, vs 13m (3m in bulk) in 2018, vs 27m (17m in bulk) in 2017, vs 25m (15m in bulk) in 2016
To Sweden: 17.1-million litres (including 6.2m in bulk), vs 18m (7m in bulk) in 2019, vs 18m (5m in bulk) in 2018, vs 20m (6m in bulk) in 2017, vs 20m (6m in bulk) in 2016
To Denmark: 16.4-million litres (including 13.2m in bulk), vs 16m (12m in bulk) in 2019, vs 20m (14m in bulk) in 2018, vs 20m (13m in bulk) in 2017, vs 20m (14m in bulk) in 2016
To France: 13.1–illion litres (including 12.6m in bulk), vs 15m (almost all in bulk) in 2019, vs 26m (25m in bulk) in 2018, vs 27m (26m in bulk) in 2017, vs 28m (almost all in bulk) in 2016
To Canada: 12.4-million litres (including 5.3m in bulk), vs 10m (3m in bulk) in 2019, vs 20m (12m in bulk) in 2018, vs 25m (17m in bulk) in 2017, vs 28m (20m in bulk) in 2016
To Belgium: 10.6-million litres (including 7m in bulk), vs 11m (7m in bulk) in 2019, vs 11m (6m in bulk) in 2018, vs 10m (6m in bulk) in 2017
To Russia: 6.8-million litres (including 1.7m in bulk), vs 18m (12m in bulk) in 2019, 18m (12m in bulk) in 2018, vs 24m (18m in bulk) in 2017, vs 33m (28m in bulk) in 2016
To Finland: 6.1-million litres (including 4.6m in bulk), vs 6m (4m in bulk) in 2019
To China: 4.8-million litres (including 0.4m in bulk), vs 6m (almost none in bulk) in 2019, vs 10m (2m in bulk) in 2018, vs 18m (9m in bulk) in 2017
TOTAL: 318m litres (including 181.5m in bulk), vs 319.8m (175.1m in bulk) in 2019

 

Wine Imports to SA

• Natural/Still Wine, Packaged (≤2L): 0.6-million litres, vs 1.7m in 2019, vs 0.9m in 2018, vs 1m in 2017, vs 0.9m in 2016
• Sparkling Wine, Packaged: 0.9-million litres, vs 1.5m in 2019, vs 1.4m in 2018, vs 0.9m in 2017, vs 1.1m in 2016
• Fortified Wine, Packaged (≤2L): 35 132 litres, vs 25 501 in 2019, vs 32 037 in 2018, vs 20 253 in 2017, vs 22 048 in 2016
• Still & Fortified Wine, Bulk: 2.9-million litres, vs 32m in 2019, vs 15m in 2018, vs 109 382 litres in 2017, vs 1280 litres in 2016

 

Drinks Consumption in SA

• Beer: 2.8-billion litres, vs 3.3bn in 2019, vs 3.2bn in 2018, vs 3.2bn in 2017, vs 3.1bn in 2016 and 3.1bn in 2015
• RTDs, Fruit Beverages, Spirit Coolers: 399.7-million litres, vs 533m in 2019, vs 507m in 2018, vs 461m in 2017, vs 431m in 2016, vs 447m in 2015
• Wine: 313.8-million litres (290m still, 15.5m fortified, 7.8m sparkling), vs 388m in 2019, vs 416m in 2018, vs 435m in 2017, vs 423m in 2016, vs 411m in 2015
• Spirits: 115.9-million litres (28.3m gin, 26.7m whisky, 24.9m brandy, 22.4m vodka), vs 132m in 2019, vs 130m in 2018, vs 127m litres in 2017 vs 121m in 2016, vs 119m in 2015
• Total: 3.6-billion litres, vs 4.4bn in 2019, vs 4.2bn in 2018, vs 4.24bn in 2017, vs 4.16bn in 2016, vs 4.11 bn in 2015

 

 


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