The Durbanville Wine Valley has been a hive of activity in recent months. Among the changes are new facilities that have opened, including a wine lounge with spectacular views. Many of the wine farms of this famous area have also lined up special events where the region’s wine and food are on display.
Great new places to try out
Bloemendal 360°
Bloemendal wine estate is one of the largest in the region, reaching up along the Kanonberg Mountains. Located at the very top of the Kanonberg is Bloemendal 360, a function venue that has been revamped and now includes a trail bar for cyclists and wine lounge. The wine tasting room opened mid-April and offers panoramic views. It’s open Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00 to 18:00; Friday and Saturday, 10:00 to 19:00; and, Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00. Visit www.bloemendalestate.co.za for more information.
Groot Phesantekraal wine tasting room
Groot Phesantekraal recently completed construction and opened a new tasting room that also conducts wine sales. The farm is well-known for its wines and top-notch restaurant. The new tasting room is a dedicated space, trading Monday to Sunday, 09:00 to 16:30. On offer are a selection of wines as well as a cheese and charcuterie platter. For more information, call 021 825 0060 or e-mail reservations@phesantekraal.co.za.
Meerendal Bossa
Meerendal has a new restaurant – Bossa Winelands. The venue is the latest addition to this chain of eateries founded some 20 years ago. It offers a casual dining experience with lively ambiance and diverse menu that includes grills and burgers, salads, cocktails as well as vegetarian and vegan options too. Contact Bossa on 021 008 5669 or visit websites www.bossa.co.za or www.meerendal.co.za.
Fantastic events happening in Durbanville
Dine Durbanville: Autumn
Wineries of Durbanville have traditionally hosted wine-and-dine events that showcase the region’s wares. For autumn, there are collaborations taking place on three Wednesdays this month:
- May 11 at Klein Roosboom (Jéan Restaurant), with chefs from the kitchens of Jéan and Groot Phesantekraal, with a regional selection of wines presented by Maastricht;
- May 18 at De Grendel, with chefs from the kitchens of De Grendel and Diemersdal Farmer Eatery, with a regional selection of wines presented by Altydgedacht; and,
- May 25 at Durbanville Hills (Tangram Restaurant), with chefs of from Tangram Restaurant and Nitida (Cassia Restaurant), with a regional selection of wines presented by D’Aria.
Tickets may be purchased online at http://durbanvillewine.co.za/events/. The event at Klein Roosboom is priced at R795pp; De Grendel, at R850pp; and Durbanville Hills, R665pp.
Meerendal Vine-to-Wine
Meerendal wine estate hosts a Winter Vine-to-Wine Tour on Wednesday, May 11 at 18:00. The event goes indoors for the season and offers the opportunity to taste wine from the barrels and steel tanks, accompanied by the winemaker and viticulturist. The tour concludes with samplings of some of Meerendal’s old vintage wines. Tickets are R350pp. Booking is essential and may be done via tasting@meerendal.co.za.
Durbanville Hills Winter of Wander
The winery’s restaurant is the setting for a series of internationally inspired food and wine evenings from May to August. They all feature the Collector’s Reserve range paired with dishes traditional to Morocco (June 8 and 9), Sweden (July 6 and 7), Brazil (May 11 and 12) and Germany (August 10 and 17). Tickets are R450pp and include a three-course meal. Each evening is hosted by one of the winemakers. Book online via www.durbanvillehills.com.
Eat and be merry at Joubert-Tradauw wine cellar & the R62 Deli Alfresco
A wall of wild sage with thousands of purple flowers and a perfect blue sky is our backdrop to a Mediterranean-style lunch with Klein Karoo flair at the Joubert-Tradauw wine cellar and R62 Deli Alfresco just outside Barrydale. Large dishes of tasty tapas are served to guests in the shade of overhanging vines, and the aromas are intoxicating. While the winemaker Meyer Joubert pours his heart and soul into his winemaking and wines, his wife Beate has done the same with the food on the menu and on the plates of their guests. Together they capture the essence of the Klein Karoo beautifully and the joy they find in what they do is obvious. Like the title of Beate’s cooking book suggests, here you can really “taste the Klein Karoo”.
Find out more here: www.joubert-tradauw.com
Wine on the Square
The annual festival featuring the region’s wines is being scheduled this year for November 4-6. It will take place at The Village Square shopping centre in Queen Street and includes a number of food stalls too. More information about the event will made available as it is finalised, via www.durbanvillewine.co.za.
Special release Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc
Members of the Durbanville Wine Valley collaborated in the making of a Sauvignon blanc, which was unveiled recently. The 13 wineries supplied the grapes for its making. Durbanville is of course renowned for benchmark Sauvignon blanc wines. The cool, two ocean-influenced climate is ideal for the slow and flavourful development of wine grapes. The label is remarkable too and highlights the many facets of Durbanville, including its nature-aligned viticulture; and historic landmarks. The inaugural 2022 Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc sells for around R110/bottle and is available at the tasting rooms of the Durbanville Wine Valley and Tops @ Spar stores around Durbanville. It may also be purchased online via www.durbanvillewine.co.za.
Additional events taking place in Durbanville are in the pipeline and will be shared via the valley wine association’s social media channels on Facebook and Twitter as @durbanvillewine and Instagram as @DurbanvilleWineValley.
