In keeping with the spirit of renewal in the South African wine industry, in recent years over 40% of the vineyards have been replanted as the industry has realigned itself to compete globally, moving from volume production to noble cultivars and quality wines. South African vineyards have been dominated by white grape varieties but the trend now is towards a more market-driven balance between white and red.

Noble varieties which have been cultivated increasingly in the past few years include Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, which produce top-class white wines, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot Noir for top reds.  A significant proportion of their red wine vineyards are currently very young - 52% are under 10 years old.

The Worcester Region has the most vineyard plantings (19% of all vines), followed by Paarl and Stellenbosch (17%), Robertson (14%), Malmesbury (12 %), Olifants River (9%), Orange River (9%) and Little Karoo (3%).

The Worcester Region also produces the most wine (24%), followed by Olifants River (17%), Robertson (14%), Paarl and Orange River (12%), Stellenbosch and Malmesbury (9%), and Little Karoo (3%).

South Africa has become the New World country to watch adding interest and innovation to the wine category.    It is the fifth biggest country supplying wine to the UK consumer with 10% volume and 9% value share and growing at an impressive 22% by far the fastest of any country.

In March 2006, Hatch Mansfield were appointed the UK agents for Lourensford, an independent family owned premium wine estate in the picturesque region of Stellenbosch.