Cape vineyards take centre stage: six estates ranked among the World’s Best for 2025

South Africa is officially on a winning streak, and the world is finally noticing.

This year, The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 list has placed six South African wine estates among the planet’s best. Two of them even broke into the global Top 10.

But the story isn’t just about rankings. It’s about the craftsmanship, terroir and quiet determination that shape the country’s wine identity.

For the Cape, this recognition is more than a spotlight. It is a moment of arrival.

The annual ranking decided by over 700 wine, travel and hospitality experts highlights vineyards that offer extraordinary wine experiences. This includes not only the wine itself but also architecture, sustainability, food, community impact and sense of place.

To give you an idea of the scale, the Cape's vineyards attract visitors in numbers comparable to world-renowned wine routes like Bordeaux or Napa Valley, contributing significantly to the tourism economy.

This year, however, the Cape’s performance stood out: it didn’t just feature on the list, it dominated the global list.

Klein Constantia 

At 339 years old, Klein Constantia isn’t just a vineyard; it’s a landmark. Nestled in the Constantia Valley with its ocean-cooled slopes, the estate made one of the biggest leaps in the list’s history, climbing 35 places to land at No 6 worldwide and taking home titles for Best Vineyard in Africa and Highest Climber.

CEO Pascal Asin describes the win as a blend of heritage and relentless dedication:

Our commitment to quality, from how we nurture our vines to how we welcome every guest, is at the heart of this recognition, explained Asin, CEO, to The Good Things Guy. 

The estate’s legendary Vin de Constance remains one of the world’s most celebrated dessert wines, praised in historical records by Napoleon, Dickens and royalty alike.

Creation Wines 

In the cool-climate Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Creation Wines secured the No 7 spot. The estate is renowned for its high-altitude Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, as well as its creative food-pairing experiences and deep connection to local biodiversity.

The World’s Best Vineyards panel commended its harmony of wine, art, and ecology, from curated local artworks to fynbos-inspired dishes that honour the place and season.

Beyond the Top 10: The Cape’s full winning line-up

While the headlines celebrate the Top 10, the other South African vineyards honoured this year complete the picture of a thriving, multidimensional wine landscape.

Tokara Wine & Olive Estate: Stellenbosch’s mountain-top mastery

These four estates are placed within the global Top 100, reinforcing South Africa’s depth, not just its excellence at the Tokara Wine & Olive Estate, Stellenbosch’s Mountain.

Perched on the Helshoogte Pass, Tokara embodies precision winemaking. Their Sauvignon Blancs and Cabernet Sauvignons continue to win global acclaim, supported by research from Stellenbosch University that identifies the area as one of the Cape’s most diverse terroirs.

Tokara’s olive oils, sculpture garden and design-forward architecture make it a full sensory destination.

Delaire Graff Estate: Stellenbosch, jewel of the Winelands

Known for its opulence, Delaire Graff Estate combines luxury hospitality with award-winning wines and one of Africa’s finest private art collections.

Its vantage point overlooking the Banghoek Valley elevates both its wines and its tourism appeal, positioning it as one of South Africa’s most photographed estates.

La Motte Wine Estate, Franschhoek’s cultural heart

With a legacy rooted in heritage and community, La Motte blends sustainability, classical music, food culture and winemaking with rare harmony.

The estate is internationally recognised for its organic farming practices and meticulous craftsmanship, particularly its Syrah and Viognier, which reflect Franschhoek’s French Huguenot influence.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards: The Pinot Noir pioneer

Located in the cool Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hamilton Russell is famous for one of the world’s southernmost wine estates and for producing some of the world’s finest Pinot Noirs outside Burgundy.

The estate’s restrained, terroir-driven style continues to earn top global reviews, supported by studies from the SA Wine Industry Information & Systems (SAWIS) showing the valley’s unique microclimates.

These wins are not isolated events. According to South Africa Wine CEO Rico Basson, global recognition boosts everything from exports to wine tourism.

When one part of the industry shines, we all rise. These awards open doors to increased visibility, investment, and growth for producers big and small, according to Rico Basson, CEO of South Africa Wine.

The Western Cape’s wine tourism sector contributes more than R7.2 billion annually to the economy (Wesgro, 2024), supporting thousands of jobs and small businesses.

For the City of Cape Town, the rankings reaffirm the region’s global magnetism.

“Our estates are among the finest places on earth to sip, savour and stay… When our vineyards flourish, our whole region rises with them," said Cape Town mayor James Vos.