South African Wine, Winery Profiles
Kanonkop: One of South Africa’s Greatest Wine Estates
Few estates in South Africa carry the weight of Kanonkop. Situated on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg mountain in Stellenbosch, the farm has been in the Krige family since the early twentieth century, and its winemaking lineage runs through some of the most respected names in Cape wine history.
The Wines
The estate produces a tight range. The Pinotage is the one that defines the property — old bush vines, open-tank fermentation, basket pressing, and time in large oak. It is not a wine built for immediate drinking. Give it five years minimum and it develops layers of complexity that rival serious red wine from anywhere. Winemag.co.za has consistently placed it among the top-rated Cape reds, and its track record across multiple vintages is exceptional.
The Paul Sauer is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend that has attracted international attention from major critics. The Kadette range provides more accessible, earlier-drinking wines for those exploring the house style.
Stellenbosch and the Simonsberg
The Simonsberg slopes provide cooler temperatures and well-drained granite and shale soils that give Kanonkop’s reds their structure and longevity. There is a firmness and precision here that comes from site as much as from winemaking.
Buying Kanonkop in the UK
Kanonkop is not always easy to find in the UK. Production is limited and demand from serious collectors means stock moves quickly. Greg Sherwood MW has championed these wines to a UK audience for years, helping build awareness among those who take fine wine seriously.
Browse our South African collection — when Kanonkop is in stock, it will be there.
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