The Coastal Region is South Africa’s most important wine area, home to many of the country’s top districts and the longest-established vineyards. Located in the southern part of the country, it stretches from Cape Town north along the Atlantic coast and east around False Bay. Stellenbosch is the most notable district, internationally recognised as the birthplace of Pinotage and home to many renowned estates. The region includes eight wine districts—Cape Town, Darling, Franschhoek, Lutzville, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Tulbagh, and Wellington—and 17 wards, each with distinctive terroir. Bordering the Breede River Valley and Cape South Coast, the Coastal Region benefits from cool maritime breezes from both the Atlantic and False Bay. This climate, along with varied landscapes of ocean, mountains, and valleys, produces a wide range of high-quality wines. The region was demarcated to allow producers to blend wines from different maritime-influenced districts under one origin name. Chenin Blanc is one of the signature white grapes, alongside Sauvignon Blanc, known for its crisp, fruity, and well-structured character. Bordeaux varieties and Pinotage dominate the reds, often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz, and Malbec to create elegant, balanced wines with flavours of dark berries, plum, roasted oak, chocolate, mint, coffee, and subtle smoky notes. Rosé wines, mainly from Cinsault, are dry and aromatic with flavours of black tea, raspberry, violet, red currant, and tart cherry. The Coastal Region remains the historic heart of South African wine, shaping the country’s viticultural heritage and reputation.