Wine List
This award is presented by Diners Club International in recognition of the quality of choice and interest of the wines on the wine list as assessed by an independent panel of judges
JJ’s Restaurant in Knysna is introducing top quality wines. We pride ourselves in selecting wines and food pairings which will expose you to the classic and identifiable wines of the prime Wine Regions which you will undoubtably be visiting.
The Wine List is per style of wine, with choice examples on each separate page.
The regions we have identified are:
Stellenbosch
30 km from Cape Town. The first wine route, started in 1971, and houses most of the established wineries, going back 3 centuries.
Robertson
Which can be reached on Route 62 – the Wineland route to Cape Town. Cool breezes break through the mountain barriers. These are friendlier wines.
Klein Karoo
Our immediate Hinterland. The home of our finest Muscadel and Port – yet increasingly producing
friendlier table wines. A drive to Calitzdorp – the Port Capital – is most rewarding.
Walker Bay
Just outside the holiday town of Hermanus – which lies at 34 South latitude. The home of top class estates, especially producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Wellington
50km from Cape Town, nearer to the West Coast. Though warmer than Paarl, sites in the mountain valleys are producing new styles. Worth watching.
Paarl
50 km from Cape Town. A warmer region which shows in the ripeness of the grapes; and which is best expressed in icon wines like Veenwouden.
Constantia
Established in 1679, in the suburbs of Cape Town. Longer cooler ripening season gives extra softness and tone.
Franschhoek
Between Stellenbosch and Paarl. The early setting sun ensures cooler ripening conditions and softer wines than ordinarily found.
Cederberg
The inland Cederberg mountains lie about 250 km north of Cape Town. Citrus trees grow well in this craggy region.
Philadelphia
Near to Durbanville, some vines grown in dark, alluvial soils and others in decomposed granite. Cooled by the Atlantic ocean.
Hemel en Aarde Valley
Just outside the holiday town of Hermanus – which lies at 34 South latitude. The home of top class estates, especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Durbanville
Cape Town, within the Tygerberg district. Renowned for its Sauvignon Blancs and Merlots. Quality factor – moisture retaining soils, cooling summer nights and proximity to ocean.
Plettenberg Bay
On our doorstep, The Crags which is about 20km east outside Plettenberg Bay and plays host to only one wine estate in the area.
Elgin
On the N2 highway, 60 km from Cape Town. Although Elgin has the coolest conditions for ripening (ideal for apples), permission was only granted a decade ago to plant grapes. An area worth watching…
Rawsonville
Between Wellington & Worcester – surrounded by vineyards that flourish in these fertile soils.
Stanford
A small farming centre named after Capt. Robert Stanford. A new and exciting wine producing area in the Walker Bay district.