If you’re curious about South Africa’s top-tier wines and their hefty price tags, you’re in the right place.
This post zeros in on the most expensive wines from the region, showcasing why they command such high prices.
South Africa, known for its stunning vineyards and skilled winemakers, produces wines that stand out on the global stage.
The most expensive ones come from areas like Stellenbosch and Constantia, famous for their ideal wine-growing conditions.
These wines are of quality grapes, expert winemaking, and unique local characteristics.
We’ll walk you through what makes these wines worth their price, from the care taken in growing the grapes to the intricate process of turning them into the bottles that wine lovers treasure.
Most Expensive Wines in South Africa
The most expensive wine in South Africa is the Tokara ‘Telos’ from Stellenbosch, priced at $345 per 750ml bottle. This premium Cabernet Sauvignon stands out for its exceptional quality, with a critics’ score of 95 out of 100.
1. Tokara ‘Telos’, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Tokara ‘Telos’ from Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s most prestigious wines, commanding an average price of $345 per 750ml bottle.
This Cabernet Sauvignon is highly regarded by critics, with a score of 95 out of 100, reflecting its exceptional quality.
The wine’s popularity, ranked 8,025th, does not detract from its exclusivity and craftsmanship.
2. De Toren Book 17 XVII, Stellenbosch, South Africa
De Toren’s Book 17 XVII, a Bordeaux Blend Red from Stellenbosch, is valued at $284 per 750ml, making it one of South Africa’s most expensive wines.
Its critics’ score of 93 out of 100 underscores its quality and the winery’s reputation for excellence.
Despite its 13,538th popularity ranking, the wine’s price is a testament to the exceptional care and precision in its creation.
De Toren is known for its innovative viticultural techniques and the meticulous attention to detail that goes into each bottle.
3. De Toren The Black Lion Shiraz, Stellenbosch, South Africa
The Black Lion Shiraz from De Toren in Stellenbosch stands out with a price of $274 for a 750ml bottle.
It has a critics’ score of 90 out of 100, reflecting its high quality.
Ranked 12,513th in popularity, this Shiraz is produced in limited quantities, ensuring its exclusivity.
De Toren employs state-of-the-art winemaking technologies and handcrafting techniques to produce this rich and complex wine.
4. The Sadie Family Die Ouwingerdreeks ‘Mev. Kirsten’ Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa
The Sadie Family’s ‘Mev. Kirsten’ Chenin Blanc, part of the Die Ouwingerdreeks range, commands an average price of $212 per 750ml.
With a critics’ score of 95 out of 100, it’s among the top-rated wines in South Africa.
Its 2,969th popularity ranking highlights its niche appeal.
The wine is produced from old vines in Stellenbosch, contributing to its depth and complexity.
5. The Sadie Family Die Ouwingerdreeks ‘Skurfberg’ White, Citrusdal Mountain, South Africa
Priced at $206 for 750ml, The Sadie Family’s ‘Skurfberg’ White, also from the Die Ouwingerdreeks series, is notable for its 94 out of 100 critics’ score.
This Chenin Blanc, ranking 2,347th in popularity, is produced in the Citrusdal Mountain area, known for its unique soil and climate conditions.
The Sadie Family utilizes traditional winemaking methods to craft this wine.
Focusing on minimal intervention to preserve the natural expression of the grape and its origin, justifying its position among South Africa’s most expensive wines.
6. Boekenhoutskloof The Journeyman, Franschhoek Valley, South Africa
Boekenhoutskloof’s The Journeyman is a Bordeaux Blend Red from the Franschhoek Valley, priced at $168 per 750ml.
It boasts a critics’ score of 92 out of 100, indicating its superior quality. Despite a popularity ranking of 17,403rd, its price reflects the exceptional care in cultivation and production.
Boekenhoutskloof is known for its sustainable viticulture practices and meticulous winemaking, which contribute to the wine’s complex flavor profile and exclusivity.
7. Holden Manz ‘Elysium’, Franschhoek Valley, South Africa
Holden Manz ‘Elysium’, a Merlot-Syrah blend from the Franschhoek Valley, commands a price of $167 for a 750ml bottle and has a critics’ score of 90 out of 100.
Its lower popularity ranking at 42,366th does not detract from its quality.
The wine is produced in a boutique winery known for its attention to detail and limited production runs, ensuring each bottle’s premium status and unique character.
8. Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Kanonkop’s Black Label Pinotage, from Stellenbosch, is valued at $160 per 750ml, with a high critics’ score of 93 out of 100.
Its popularity ranking at 4,812th reflects its esteemed position in the wine community.
Known for its robust and complex flavors, this wine is a product of one of South Africa’s most iconic wineries, celebrated for its dedication to the Pinotage variety and its expression of the rich Stellenbosch terroir.
9. The Sadie Family ‘Columella’ Red, Swartland, South Africa
Priced at $150 for a 750ml bottle, The Sadie Family ‘Columella’ Red from Swartland boasts a critics’ score of 94 out of 100, marking it as a top-tier wine.
Its popularity rank at 814th indicates a significant demand among connoisseurs.
The blend of Mourvedre and Syrah is crafted using traditional methods and minimal intervention, highlighting the unique characteristics of the Swartland region’s vineyards.
This wine exemplifies The Sadie Family’s commitment to producing expressive and terroir-driven wines.
10. 4G Wines The Echo Of G Red, Western Cape, South Africa
4G Wines’ The Echo Of G Red, from the Western Cape, has an average price of $139 per 750ml and a critics’ score of 92 out of 100. Despite its 15,162nd popularity ranking, the wine is renowned for its quality and craftsmanship.
The Red Blend is produced with a focus on expressing the diverse terroir of the Western Cape, utilizing meticulous winemaking techniques to achieve a wine of depth and complexity, securing its place among South Africa’s most expensive wines.
11. Spier Frans K Smit, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Spier’s Frans K Smit, a Red Blend from Stellenbosch, is priced at $130 for a 750ml bottle, with a critics’ score of 91 out of 100. Its popularity ranking at 15,722nd reflects its specialized appeal.
This wine is the result of Spier’s commitment to crafting exceptional wines that showcase the best of Stellenbosch’s terroir.
Named after the winery’s celebrated cellar master, this blend is made from the finest grapes, ensuring a wine of outstanding quality and complexity.
12. Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine, Constantia, South Africa
Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance, a Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains from Constantia, commands an average price of $125 per 750ml, with a critics’ score of 94 out of 100.
Ranked 442nd in popularity, it is one of the most celebrated sweet wines globally, with a rich history dating back to the 18th century.
The wine’s exceptional quality is attributed to the unique terroir of Constantia and the meticulous, traditional winemaking processes used to produce this iconic dessert wine.
13. The Sadie Family ‘Palladius’ White, Swartland, South Africa
The Sadie Family’s ‘Palladius’ White, from Swartland, is valued at $125 for a 750ml bottle, boasting a critics’ score of 93 out of 100.
With a popularity ranking of 1,657th, it is highly regarded among white wine enthusiasts.
This White Blend is crafted using a variety of white grape varieties, reflecting the diversity of Swartland’s terroir.
The Sadie Family employs traditional winemaking methods, focusing on natural fermentation and minimal intervention to preserve the wine’s authentic character.
14. Jordan Cape Winemakers Guild Sophia, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Jordan’s Cape Winemakers Guild Sophia, a Bordeaux Blend Red from Stellenbosch, is priced at $124 per 750ml, with a critics’ score of 91 out of 100.
Despite a lower popularity ranking at 36,241st, this wine is crafted for the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild auction, highlighting its exclusivity and quality.
The Jordan winery is known for its innovative practices and commitment to sustainability, which contribute to the Sophia’s complex flavor profile and finesse.
15. Waterford Estate The Jem, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Waterford Estate’s The Jem, from Stellenbosch, has an average price of $116 per 750ml and a critics’ score of 92 out of 100.
Its popularity ranking at 4,402nd signifies its standing in the wine community.
Named after the estate’s founder, Jeremy Ord, The Jem is the pinnacle of Waterford’s winemaking, showcasing a blend of different varietals to express the richness of the Stellenbosch terroir.
The wine’s quality is ensured through careful vineyard selection and innovative winemaking techniques.