User Survey 2019: SA’s top wineries

Which winery do users of this site think is foremost? Here’s what you told us in our recently completed online survey:

Enduring prestige.

Best winery overall
Asked to choose South Africa’s best overall winery from among the top 10 as selected by our panel of experts last year (see here), the results were as follows:

1. Kanonkop – 22.6%
2. Sadie Family Wines – 19.5%
3. Other – 17.8%
4. Mullineux – 12.8%
5. Don’t know – 12.2%

Many respondents felt it was an unfair question because 1) there were too many other worthy candidates not listed and 2) that it was difficult to select just one winery.

When the print edition of winemag.co.za last ran a reader poll back in June 2008, the top three wineries were: 1). Vergelegen – 31.3%; 2). Rustenberg – 12.3%; and 3). Thelema – 11.8%.

Best emerging winery
Asked to choose best emerging winery from among the top five as selected by our panel of experts last year (see here), the results were as follows:

1. Don’t know – 35.4%
2. Van Loggerenberg – 17.6%
3. Le Lude – 14.3%
4. Leeu Passant – 13.2%
5. Other – 10.4%

Le Lude, which specializes in Methode Cap Classique, recently lost winemaker since inception Paul Gerber to Colmant so it will be interesting to see if this cellar remains in contention going forwards.

When the print edition of winemag.co.za last ran a reader poll back in June 2008, the top three emerging wineries were: 1). Tokara – 31%; 2). De Toren – 18%; and 3). Sadie Family Wines – 13%.

Favourite wine routes
Asked to choose up to three wine routes/wine growing regions from a list of 18 as to the most preferred, the top five emerged as follows:

1. Stellenbosch – 60%
2. Hemel en Aarde – 54%
3. Swartland – 39%
4. Franschhoek – 28%
5. Elgin – 25%

534 responses were received. For user demographics, click here.