Just 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, and you could be in a different world. Steenberg winery sits on the site of the oldest farm in the Cape, going back to 1682, also housing a hotel and restaurant. The proximity to the sea with altitudes of up to 160m means than temperatures are mild all year round, and the cooling sea breezes, combined with the lean, granitic soils lend a minerality and crispness to the wines. The land is worked sustainably where possible, with the use of natural remedies and predators to control vineyard pests.

Given this favourable microclimate, mostly white wines are produced – Sauvignon Blanc totals over 60% of plantings – although winemaker John Loubser, who joined Steenberg in 2001, now champions varietals such as Semillon and Nebbiolo, rarely seen as single varietal styles in the region.