Fryer’s Cove: precise wines from the cool west coast of South Africa
Website: https://www.fryerscove.co.za/
It was back in 1999 that Jan Van Zyl planted one of South Africa’s most distinctive vineyards right next to the sea on the west coast of South Africa in what is now the tiny ward of Bamboes Bay. This is some 300 km north of Cape Town, and with the sea just 540 m away, the climate here is distinctive, with cooling fogs (bringing salt in the moisture) and restricting the peak temperatures in the summer. The first wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, was made in 2001, and they opened a winery in an old fish factory in Doringbay, with a restaurant.
The Bamboes Bay vineyard is planted with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and grew from 6 hectares to 8.7 hectares when the winery was purchased by DGB in 2020. They have added some wines to the range with grapes sourced from other west coast growers, but it’s the Bamboes Bay wines that are most distinctive. But all the wines are really good.
The video here is worth watching to get a feel for the place:
Fryer’s Cove Sauvignon Blanc 2025 West Coast, South Africa
Bright and linear with such precision. It’s salty and vivid with lovely focus to the fruit. Stony and vivid. 93/100
Fryer’s Cove Chenin Blanc 2025 Cape West Coast, South Africa
Small component in older barrels. Fresh and intense with keen acidity supporting textured lemon and pear fruit. Dry grown in deep granitic soils. Lovely. 93/100
Fryer’s Cove Sauvignon Blanc Bamboes Bay 2025 South Africa
Mostly in ceramic on lees. Cool, misty site right on the ocean. Powerful with green pepper and elderflower as well as vivid pear fruit with texture and some salt and mineral. Lovely depth. Smells of the ocean. Touch of seaweed. 94/100
Fryer’s Cove Pinot Noir 2025 Cape West Coast, South Africa
7 km from sea. Juicy and vivid. Older 500 litre barrels. Appealing red cherry fruit with some warmth to the texture. Appealing and juicy with nice brightness. 92/100
Fryer’s Cove Grenache Cinsault 2024 Cape West Coast, South Africa
No oak and a bit of carbonic. Lovely fresh, expressive cherry and raspberry fruit with nice brightness and drivkability. Five herbal notes. Finely spiced and expressive, this is quite lovely. 93/100
