ODDLY ENOUGH, not all of the cellars in Wellington are members of the local wine route. Not officially, that is. For example, Mischa Estate to the north and Napier Vineyards on the Bainskloof Road to the east are not part of the ‘Go Wellington‘ movement. Nor is Roodekrantz north-west of the town, though perhaps they're considered more Swartland than Wellington. But be that as it may, these Cape winelands to the north of Paarl – just over 70km or just under an hour's drive from Cape Town – are home to some lovely farms and some interesting wines.
Among the standout members of the Wellington Wine Route are Bosman Family Vineyards, Doohof Estate and Diemersfontein – the latter two with restaurants on the farms, among the vines so to speak. At the time of writing, a dozen or so of the area's wine producers were gearing-up to strut their stuff at the (re)launch of the wine route, the Go Wellington Family Festival, to take place at the Old Tannery in town. The names of the exhibitors had yet to be announced.
Top-Rated White Wines of Wellington in 2023
CHENIN BLANC
Bosman Optenhorst 2013
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show
R415pb ex-cellar
Bosman Optenhorst 2022
96/100 in Platter's SA Wine Guide
R400pb ex-cellar
Doolhof Riviersteen 2018
95/100 in Decanter Magazine
R999pb ex-cellar
Roodekrantz Die Kliphuis 2021
96/100 in Decanter Magazine
R370pb ex-cellar
Roodekrantz Donkermaan 2021
95/100 in Decanter Magazine
R370pb ex-cellar
Top-Rated Red Wines of Wellington in 2023
CABERNET FRANC
Thokozani 2021 (Diemersfontein)
97/100 at Trophy Wine Show
R150pb ex-cellar
MALBEC
Doolhof Single Vineyard 2022
D Gold Medal at Global Fine Wine Challenge
R295pb ex-cellar
MERLOT
Nabygelegen 2022
Among winners in Top 10 Merlot Competition
R125pb ex-cellar
Simelia Fluvius 2019
5 Stars in Platter's SA Wine Guide
R800pb ex-cellar
PINOTAGE
Francois van Niekerk 2021
Among winners in Top 10 Pinotage Competition
97/100 in Platter's SA Wine Guide
R710pb ex-producer
La Cave 2021 (Wellington Wines)
Among winners in Top 10 Pinotage Competition
R220pb ex-cellar
CAPE PORT
Upland Cape Tawny 2014
96/100 in Platter's SA Wine Guide
R550pb ex-cellar
>> For all of the top SA wine ratings during the past year, click here.
Wellington Wines with Good Track Records
• Bosman Optenhorst Chenin Blanc
• Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Malbec Reserve
• Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Pinotage Res
• Diemersfontein Rosé
• Doolhof Bloedklip (Malbec)
• Doolhof Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc
• Douglas Green Chardonnay
• Douglas Green Chenin Blanc
• Francois van Niekerk Pinotage
• La Cave Cabernet Sauvignon (Wellington W)
• La Cave Cape Blend (Wellington Wines)
• La Cave Pinotage (Wellington Wines)
• La Cave Shiraz (Wellington Wines)
• Mischa Roussanne
• Napier Red Medallion (Blend)
>> For the full SA Wine Classification, click here.
