Kanonkop

On the lower slopes of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s best-known wine-growing region, lies the Kanonkop wine estate. 

Wine estate Kanonkop – Fire at will for top-quality wine

It is known for producing some of the best South African red wines each year on its cultivation area of over 120 hectares. Almost exclusively red wines are produced. Only two percent are rosé wines. To ensure all wines are successful, the winemakers Abrie Beseslaar and Alet Vlok put all their skills to work. Originally, Kanonkop was purchased by Jacobus Wilhelmus Sauer and is now a family business in its fourth generation. Paul and Johann Krige, the two sons of Jacobus Wilhemus, run the Kanonkop estate today and ensure that tradition is preserved while also continually bringing the estate up to date. 

Where does the name Kanonkop come from?

In the 17th century, many sailing ships passed the South African Cape when travelling from the Far East to Europe. As soon as a ship dropped anchor, a cannon on a small hill called Kopje fired a warning shot to inform the residents of Stellenbosch of the arrival of new goods. This hill as well as the cannons thus gave their name to Kanonkop. 

Kanonkop – Awards for wine and estate

The Kanonkop estate has made its excellent name with its Pinotage wines and its Cabernet Sauvignon. The “Black Label Pinotage” and the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated “Paul Sauer” have become world-famous wine classics. Over the years, Kanonkop’s wines have collected many awards. The estate itself has been honoured, among other things, with the Dave Hughes Trophy as the best South African producer and with the Wolff Blass Trophy.

And these are the grape varieties cultivated at Kanonkop: 

• Pinotage
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc
• Merlot