Tygerberg is a wine-producing area on the northern outskirts of Cape Town in the Western Cape of South Africa. With its close proximity to the ocean and its relatively cool climate, it is known for the bright, flinty Sauvignon Blanc.
The Tygerberg hills run directly north from Cape Town to the town of Philadelphia, just short of Swartland. Vineyards are found in the valleys and on the slopes of the hills, taking advantage of a range of microclimates. The area is roughly 8 miles (12km) from the Atlantic in the west, and 16 miles (25km) from False Bay in the south.
This proximity to the ocean has a profound effect on the climate of the area. South-easterly breezes from False Bay in the south are funneled up the hills during the afternoons, cooling the vines after the heat of the intense morning sunshine. The exposed vineyards that sit on the higher slopes of the hills in particular benefit from these winds, while vineyards in the valleys are more sheltered. The shadows of the hills serves as a climate-moderating factor by reducing direct sunlight, and the relatively high elevation of the vineyards also contributes to the microclimates in the area. Red-wine varieties prefer the warmer conditions of the valleys, while white-wine varieties do better on the exposed higher slopes.
Shale soils are found throughout Tygerberg, providing good drainage for the vines and excellent water retention. Ample rainfall in the winter means that irrigation in Tygerberg is only necessary in the driest of summers. Growers in Tygerberg often use the dry-growing technique (where no irrigation is used) to produce grapes with especially concentrated flavors.
The area surrounding Tygerberg began to attract settlers in the late 17th Century after a town was established at Durbanville. The first wine from the area is recorded as having been produced in 1702. The area takes its name for the distinctive mounds that dot the countryside, looking somewhat like the spots of a leopard. Early settlers confused the big cats and named the hills Tiger Mountain (Tygerberg).
While Sauvignon Blanc is the most prominent variety, cool-climate styles of Shiraz, Merlot and Chardonnay are also made in the region.
