All the cultivars used in South Africa belong to the Vitis vinifera species which was originally imported from Europe. Although most of the cultivars cultivated locally today were originally imported, various unique South African cultivars created by crossing varietals have been released. The best known is the red variety Pinotage, which is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Also attracting attention is the white variety Nouvelle, a crossing of Semillon and Crouchen Blanc (better known as Cape Riesling).

Approximately 75 cultivars have been approved for the production of Wines of Origin. Each cultivar has specific characteristics regarding its adaptability to the soil and climate, and the suitability of its fruit for the production of a wine with a specific style or of a specific quality. There is thus a close relationship between the cultivar, origin and the wine itself.

The use of the name of a grape cultivar on a label is authorised in terms of the Wine of Origin Scheme and only the cultivar names attached may be used. The name of a grape cultivar may be used if 75% (85% from 1 January 2006) of the content of the wine originates from that cultivar. It is prescribed that, if a wine is to be exported to the European Union, 85% of its content has to be from that specific cultivar.

Grape cultivars to which the Wine of Origin Scheme applies :

Alicante Bouschet (Henri Bouschet), Auxerrois, Barbera, *Bastardo do Castello, *Bastardo do Menudo, Bukettraube, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Chardonnay, Chenel, Chenin Blanc (Steen), Cinsaut (Cinsault), Clairette Blanche, Colombar (Colombard), Cornifesto, *Donzellinho do Castello, *Donzellinho do Gallego, Durif, Emerald Riesling, *Erlihane, Fernao Pires, Furmint, Gamay Noir, Gewürtztraminer, Grachen, Grenache (Red/Rooi), Grenache Blanc (White/Wit), Harslevelü, Kerner, Malbec, Merlot, Meunier (Pinot Meunier), Morio Muscat, *Mourisco Tinto, Mourvèdre (Mataro), Müller-Thurgau, Muscat d'Alexandrie (Hanepoot), Muscat de Frontignan (Muscadel/Muskadel), Muscat de Hambourg, Muscat Ottonel, Nebbiolo, Nouvelle, *Olasz, Palomino (White French/Fransdruif), Petit Verdot (Verdot), Pinotage, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio), Pinot Noir, Pontak (Teinturier male), Riesling (Cape Riesling/Kaapse Riesling/Crouchen), Roobernet, Rousanne, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc (Blanc Fumé), Schörger, Sémillon (Groendruif), Shiraz (Syrah), Souzào, Sultana (Sultanina/Thompson's Seedless), Sylvaner, Tannat, Tempranillo (Tinta Roriz), Therona, *Tinta Amarella, Tinta Barocca, Tinta Francisca, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Ugni blanc (Trebbiano), Verdelho, Viognier, Weisser Riesling (Rhine Riesling/Ryn Riesling), Zinfandel (Primitivo) * This Scheme is applicable to this cultivar only until 31 December 2010