Breede River Valley comprises three regions: Breedekloof, Worcester, Robertson. Breedekloof is the furthest west and least well-known of its three wine-growing Wards. Still widely planted with South Africa's workhorse white grape, Chenin Blanc, there are now also interesting fortified dessert wines from old, gnarly Hanepoot vines (Muscat of Alexandria) being made. Worcester lies in the heart of this inland, sheltered river valley. Surrounded by mountains, Worcester is hot and dry. Much of the Chenin Blanc and Colombard is mass-produced for brandy distillation, but there are some good value red and white wines made here too. Robertson Ward, the 'valley of wines and roses' lies to the east of this vast river basin. Southerly breezes off the Indian Ocean funnel in cool Arctic air, giving some respite from the inland heat. The region has earned an excellent reputation for white wines, in particular from Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and increasingly Sauvignon Blanc. The local cooperative has an excellent reputation for fruity whites and reds made from Shiraz and Pinotage. Just 10km from the town of Robertson lie the vineyards of Graham Beck, famed for his high quality Cap Classique, his success no doubt partly due to the cool night air and the predominance of limestone soils at this end of the valley.
