SAWIS, South Africa Wine Industry Information and Systems, has recently published statistics for 2021 for the South African vineyards.
The area has decreased since 2020 by 1,493 hectares and is now 90,512 hectares. It is mainly colombard and chenin blanc vines that have been ripped up.
But chenin blanc still dominates with 16,800 ha, 18.6% of the total vineyard surface. Then comes, as in previous years, colombard and sauvignon blanc, followed by cabernet sauvignon, syrah and pinotage. SAWIS registers 112 grape varieties; 20 have less than one hectare.
Stellenbosch is the largest wine region with 14,933 ha, followed by Paarl with 14,631, Robertson with 12,690, Breedekloof with 12,752 and Swartland with 12,333 ha.
Many South African vineyards need irrigation, and drip irrigation dominates in all regions, followed by flood irrigation. But it is interesting to note that 24% of the vineyards in Stellenbosch, Paarl, Swartland and the Cape South Coast do not irrigate at all (although down from 29% in 2011).
It can be worth mentioning that irrigation is frequently used in other parts of the world too, including in Europe.
More interesting South African statistics here (pdf): SAWIS
Travel: Come on a wine tour to South Africa with BKWine.
