THERE ARE some who would like to change the name to Banhoek (without the ‘g’), but be that as it may. The valley in the eastern reaches of the Stellenbosch winelands comprises some top cellars and guesthouses that have banded together across the boundary lines which separate the wards of Banghoek and the Simonsberg on either side of the Helshoogte Pass. Not officially one of South Africa’s wine routes, but a loose association with the objective of promoting the collective tourism attractions of the area. The ‘Best of Banghoek’ tasting and six-course dinner at Delaire Graff Estate on the ‘Wine Town’ programme of events in and around Stellenbosch promised the ‘best wines the Banghoek has to offer’, including flagships from Thelema and Tokara together with those of Bartinney, Capensis, Oldenburg, Rainbow’s End, Zorgvliet as well as hosts Delaire Graff, some of whose wines are named after the valley.

Perhaps in due course Vuurberg, Clouds, Camberley and others in Banghoek will join the fold. It would make sense, given that they’re close neighbours – unlike around the corner, on the Paarl side of the Simonsberg, where Rupert & Rothschild, Noble Hill and Babylonstoren prefer to be regarded as part of the Franschhoek Valley, which requires quite a stretch of the imagination. The following wines from the current Banghoek Valley collective were highly rated in 2021/20, i.e. excluding those obviously made using grapes grown outside the area such as in Elgin or the Swartland:

BANGHOEK BEAUTIES 

BARTINNEY – WINE MADE ON A MOUNTAIN
Bartinney Cabernet Sauvignon 2015/16/17
Bartinney Hourglass Chardonnay 2018/19
Bartinney Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2015/16

CAPENSIS
Capensis Fijnbosch Chardonnay 2015

DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE
Delaire Graff Banghoek 2016 (Red Blend)
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2017 (Red Blend)
Delaire Graff Cabernet Franc Empress Rosé 2021
Delaire Graff Cabernet Franc Rosé 2020
Delaire Graff Vintage 2010/18 (Port)
Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc 2012/15/21
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Reserve Chardonnay 2020
Delaire Graff Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2018
Delaire Graff Estate Terraced Block Reserve Chardonnay 2017/18
Delaire Graff Laurence Graff Reserve 2017 (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Deliare Graff Sumercourt Chardonnay 2019
Deliare Graff Sunrise Brut NV (MCC)
Delaire Graff White Reserve 2017/18/19 (Blend)

OLDENBURG VINEYARDS
Oldenburg Cabernet Franc 2019
Oldenburg Cabernet Sauvignon 2017/18/19
Oldenburg Rondekop Per Se Cabernet Sauvignon 2018/19
Oldenburg Rondekop Rhodium 2016/18/19 (Red Blend)
Oldenburg Rondekop Stone Axe 2017 (Shiraz)

RAINBOW’S END WINE ESTATE
Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc 2017/18/19
Rainbow’s End Family Reserve 2017 (Red Blend)
Rainbow’s End Limited Release Cabernet Franc 2018/19
Rainbow’s End Merlot 2018
Rainbow’s End Shiraz 2019

THELEMA MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Thelema Rabelais 2017 (Red Blend)
Thelema Reserve Merlot 2018
Thelema Sauvignon Blanc 2020

TOKARA
Tokara Blanc de Blanc 2013 (MCC)
Tokara Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2017/18
Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2011/16/17/18
Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2017/18
Tokara Reserve Collection Sauvignon Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2019
Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2011/19/20
Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Syrah 2016/17

ZORGVLIET WINE ESTATE
Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc 2018
Zorgvliet Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Zorgliet Merlot 2018
Zorgvliet Petit Verdot 2018
Zorgvliet Richelle 2017 (Red Blend)
Zorgvliet Simoné 2019 (White Blend)