South Africa might have been producing wine since the 17th century, but its vintages remain unknown to many oenophiles.

“The wines possess history, ageability and consistency,” says Betsy Haynes, managing director of Northeast Wines. If you’re not convinced, try these wines from Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s oldest wine regions. Although they can be drunk while young, they all possess the potential to improve with age.

Hartenberg Estate Gravel Hill Shiraz 2008

Since the establishment of the vineyard in 1692, Hartenberg has had an array of colourful owners, including an elephant hunter, a former accountant with the Dutch East India Company, a freed slave, and a pathologist. It was one of the first to separately vinify grapes from specific vineyard sites. Gravel Hill was recognised for wines with unique character thanks to the high iron content of the soil. The wines are aged for 18 months in 100 per cent new French Allier oak, and production is limited to 550 bottles.