Wine & Beer Tasting
Exploring the wine route will require two days on its own, especially since the wine farms also offer beer and gin tastings. There are so many farms to choose from and each one has many great things to offer its visitors. Some have very unique pairings (such as chocolate and wine, pizza and wine, beer and biltong, or MCC and Macarons) while others are perfectly suited to families thanks to great facilities for kids and parents alike, offering non-alcoholic pairings.
Durbanville Hills, Klein Roosboom, Hillcrest, Nitida, Bloemendal, D’Aria, Altydgedacht, Diemersdal, Groot Phesantekraal, Meerendal, Signal Gun and De Grendel wines, are the 12 prestigious wine farms that make up the Valley, as well as Canto Wines, a boutique wine farm with a tasting room. There are a handful of other private boutique wine farms that are open for tastings by appointment only, which include Kronendal Wines, Russo Wines Vineyard, De Vallei Boutique Winery and Maastricht Wines.
Each wine farm has a charm of its own with unique attributes, offering warm hospitality, culinary experiences, a wide collection of wines, elegance, richness and personal experiences, keeping locals and visitors coming back for more every time.
Signal Gun Wine Estate
Beer and wine tasting
Child-friendly
As the shot of the Signal Gun echoes through the vineyards of this picturesque farm it signals the start of a new generation of wine making, owned by the 5th generation De Wit Family. The De Wits pride themselves in making small quantities of fine wine from their carefully selected grapes.
They still have the original Signal Gun on their farm and use this 300 year old cannon and a few others that are still in good working order to fire shots on joyous occasions, as well as at 12pm every 1st Saturday of the month, including public holidays (weather permitting).
Besides that, they have a beautiful lawn with shady trees, a very large jungle gym for the kids, an under cover tasting area with large scatter cushions one can take to the lawns. Their wine and beer tastings are very popular, and it is here that one can do beer and biltong pairings, and non-alcoholic grape nectar pairings. Their cheese platters are abundant and rustic.
Kemonate restaurant, just above the tasting area, has live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in their garden, making this a very popular wine estate on weekends, where booking is essential.
Tasting room
021 976 7343
tasting@signalgun.com
Monday – CLOSED
Tuesday to Saturday – 9am to 10pm
Sunday & Public holidays – 9am to 5pm
KE-MONATE RESTAURANT
021 976 7343
functions@signalgun.com
Monday – CLOSED
Tuesday to Saturday – 9am to 10pm
Sunday & Public holidays – 9am to 5pm
Website: www.signalgun.com
Groot Phesantekraal Wine Farm
Wine tasting
The heritage that is Groot Phesantekraal dates back to 1698 when the land was given to its first owner, Olof Bergh, by Governor Simon van der Stel. In 1759 the property was sold to the Louw family and later purchased by Arend Brink in 1897.
The farm, which has long been known in the Koeberg as a successful cattle, sheep and grain production operation, was developed further when the present fourth-generation owner, Andre Brink, together with his wife Ronelle, planted vineyards covering 50ha of its 840ha expanse.
Their boutique winery under the expert management of Thys Louw of Diemersdal soon established a niche for itself in the Durbanville wine valley and as such is proof of their dedication to and personal involvement in its daily running.
The tasting room and restaurant are both exquisite. The cobblestoned floors of the restaurant speaks volumes about it’s history, and makes one feel like they’ve stepped back in time. Even the tasting room has a beautiful lounge area, and if they get busy, they serve groups in the beautifully renovated chicken coop.
The patio area outside, is often used to do wine tastings and serve pizza at on sunny Saturdays. And their cheese platters are simply sensational.
TASTING ROOM
021 825 0060
wines@phesantekraal.co.za
Tuesday-Friday: 08:00-16:00
Saturday: 09:00-14:30
GROOT PHESANTEKRAAL RESTAURANT
021 825 0060
restaurant@phesantekraal.co.za
Tuesday-Friday:
Breakfast: 08:00-11:00
Lunch: 12:00-15:00
Saturday:
Brunch: 09:00-14:30
Website: www.grootphesantekraal.co.za
Nitida Wine Farm
Wine Tasting
Child-friendly
This family owned and managed farm is named after a Protea, which means (the ‘Waboom or wagon tree) and was historically used for the making of wagon axles, ink and traditional stomach ailment remedies. The name means ‘healthy, refined and cultured”, an apt description for their wines.
With only 16 hectares of vineyards, Nitida is the smallest farm in Durbanville Wine Valley. The cellar however, is one of the most consistently awarded and loved boutique wine cellars in South Africa.
TASTING ROOM
021 976 1467
info@nitida.co.za
Monday-Friday: 09:30-17:00
Saturday: 11:00-16:00
Sunday & Public Holidays: 11:00-15:00
CASSIA RESTAURANT
021 976 0640
info@cassiarestaurant.co.za
Monday – Sunday
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
TABLES @ NITIDA
021 975 9357
Tables.nitida@gmail.com
Monday – Sunday
Breakfast and lunch
Website: www.nitida.co.za
Meerendal Wine Estate
Wine tasting
Child-friendly
History was made at this 300-year old wine estate in 1714, when Christina Stans, widow of the first owner, planted 60,000 vines on the rolling hills. Following in her footsteps, Liza Goodwin, cellarmaster and winemaker since 1998, kept this tradition alive.
She continues to make award-winning wines from a variety of vines planted on the estate, especially from the Pinotage bush vines planted in 1955. Meerendal was also one of the first fourteen farms to be awarded wine estate status, when the Wine of Origin legislation was introduced in 1993. Recently new Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards were planted, and wine is now exported to more than twelve countries.
Besides their award-winning wines, the farm offers many activities, such as MTB mountain biking trails, a Saturday park run, Galileo open air movies on the first Friday of every month in summer, and is home to a deli, a restaurant fit for royalty, called Crown, a child-friendly environment, guest house accommodation and so much more!
Wine tastings are held at the tasting room, or one can enjoy a coffee or some food and snacks at Carlucci’s Deli, who also serve very abundant and delicious cheese and charcuterie platters.
Meerendal is a lovely venue for weddings, conferences and functions, as it also houses a chapel. The beautifully restored Manor House is a luxury boutique hotel and there are six lovely guest cottages on the farm. The estate welcomes day visitors and, with its extensive network of trails, providing the ideal location for mountain biking, trail running, walking and other recreational activities, including markets, festival and live music events.
TASTING ROOM
082 699 4380
tasting@meerendal.co.za
Monday-Saturday: 10:00-18:00
Sunday: 10:00-17:00
CROWN RESTAURANT
021 975 0383
info@crownrestaurant.co.za
Breakfast, lunch & dinner seven days a week.
CARLUCCI’S COFFEE SHOP AND BISTRO
021 612 0015
brendan@carlucci.co.za
Mon – Sun 07:00 – 18:00
Breakfast, Lunch, Pizza’s, Cheese and Meat Platters, Picnics
Website: www.meerendal.co.za
Bloemendal
Wine Tasting
Child-friendly
Bloemendal Wine Estate was established in 1702 to provide fresh produce to Cape Town and the Dutch East Indian Company ships travelling on the spice route to and from India. The first wine cellar was built in 1920 by Jannie van der Westhuizen and Bloemendal was registered as an Estate in 1987. Wines are made in their small boutique cellar using old and new world methods to produce wines that reflect their terroir. In 2008 a private company bought the Estate with the focus to establish the estate as a sought-after producer amongst world wines.
Bloemendal is home to a Y-Bike Trail, Bon Amis Restaurant with a super-sized play area for the kids, a function venue, large lawns where they often have live music events, and of course, their tasting room.
The tasting room is small, with patio seating available, and one can order cheese platters from the restaurant to enjoy there.
TASTING ROOM
021 975 9591
info@bloemendalwines.co.za
Monday-Saturday: 10:00-17:00
Sunday and public holidays: 11:00-15:00
BON AMIS RESTAURANT
021 976 2682
info@bonamis.co.za
Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 09:00 – 16:00
Thursday – Saturday: 09:00 – 21:30
Website: www.bloemendalwines.co.za
Hillcrest Wine Estate
Wine and beer tasting
Child-friendly
Hillcrest Estate is a boutique winery, a mere 30 minute drive from Cape Town, and is complimented by the very popular Hillcrest Quarry, home to many live music events, concerts and festivals.
One can enjoy fine dining and pizza at Hillcrest restaurant, experiencing a wine tasting or wine and olive pairing at their tasting room, or enjoy a beer in the Havoc Brew Beer Garden.
TASTING ROOM
021 970 5800
info@hillcrestfarm.co.za
Monday-Thursday: 10:00-17:00
Friday: 10:00-18:00
Saturday: 10:00-17:00
Sunday: 11:00-17:00
HILLCREST RESTAURANT
021 975 2346
restaurant@hillcrestfarm.co.za
Breakfast: 09:00-11:00
Lunch: 12:00-15:00
Confectionery: 09:00-16:00
HAVOC BREW BEER GARDEN
021 976 4959
mike@havocbrew.com
Wednesday – Sunday: 11:00 – 19:00
Website: www.hillcrestfarm.co.za
Durbanville Hills Wines
Wine Tasting
Child-friendly
Standing proud against the Tygerberg Hills, this state-of-the-art winery looks out over Robben Island and Table Mountain. There is plenty of art for inspiration, and you can also find a very old canon as you enter the tasting room. The outdoor tasting area boasts a lovely play area for older children, and a bistro named The Olive Grove.
Durbanville Hills have live music sessions on Fridays, from 4 – 7pm, where one can enjoy either a wine tasting and wine pairing, or simply just order a bottle of wine with a cheese platter and listen to the music whilst watching the sunset.
TASTING ROOM
021 558 1300
info@durbanvillehills.co.za
Mon: 12h00 – 18h00
Tues – Fri: 10h00 – 18h00
Sat and Public Holidays: 10h00 – 16h00
Sun: 11h00 – 16h00
DURBANVILLE HILLS RESTAURANT
021 558 1300
info@durbanvillehills.co.za
Mon: Closed (Open for breakfast and lunch Nov and Dec)
Breakfast: Tues – Sun 8h30 – 11h00
Lunch: Tues – Sun 12h00 – 15h00
Dinner: Tues – Sat 18h00 – 22h00
Website: www.durbanvillehills.co.za
Klein Roosboom Boutique Winery
Wine Tasting
Child-friendly
Klein Roosboom (directly translated as ‘little rosebush’) is a family owned farm overlooking Table Bay, Robben Island and Table Mountain. This wine farm offers intimate cave-like tasting areas, along with an outdoor terrace and jungle gym on the lawn for the kids.
It’s best the book their tasting caves on weekends as they get rather busy. Each of the 5 caves are themed and can seat up to 6 people comfortably. They also have a very large table in the centre of the tasting room, making it a fun experience for larger crowds.
TASTING ROOM
060 877 2678
info@kleinroosboom.co.za
Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-16:30
Website: www.kleinroosboom.co.za
Diemersdal Wine Estate
Wine Tasting
In 1698 Simon van der Stel granted farmland to free burgher, Hendrik Sneewind. Later, the farm changed hands to Captain Diemer when he married the widow Sneewind, and thus Diemersdal was formally established.
An inventory found in an old leather-bound book dating back to 1705 lists 45 wine barrels, a wine press and glass bottles, indicating that wine has been made on the Estate for over three centuries.
Six generations of Louws have practiced their art with skill and passion at Diemersdal since the Estate passed into their hands in 1885. More than 12 decades later, Diemersdal is a well-known landmark in the lush Durbanville Valley, one of the Cape’s oldest wine regions.
The estate houses Diemersdal Farm Eatery, a 5 star, award-winning restaurant specializing in fine dining. Here one can sit inside in their long barn-styled rustic restaurant, or outside in the garden, overlooking the valley.
Their tasting room is nestled under an orchard, but also offers indoor seating for rainy days. The tastings are sublime and can be paired with a variety of cheese platters.
Although they don’t have a jungle gym, people always take along their kids to run on the lawns.
TASTING ROOM
021 976 3361
tastingroom@diemersdal.co.za
Monday-Saturday: 09:00-17:00
Sunday: 10:00-15:00
DIEMERSDAL FARM EATERY
021 976 1810
restaurant@diemersdal.co.za
Tuesday-Sunday: 12:00-15:00
Thursday-Saturday: 18:00-21:00
Monday: Closed
Website: www.diemersdal.co.za
D’Aria
Wine Tasting
Brandy Tasting
Child-friendly
Pet-friendly
The history of Springfield dates back to 1698 when the governor of the Cape first granted this farmland, then known as “Hooge Bergs Vallei” (later “Springfield”), thereby making it one of the oldest and most significant farms, not only in Durbanville, but in what will be known as the greater, modern-day Cape Town.
The Vineyards of this wine estate comprises of two wine farms, namely Doordekraal and Springfield. The estate is home to a beautiful restaurant named Poplars, a function venue for hire, guest houses, and a gorgeous tasting room with a deck over-looking a pond and shaded lawns for picnicking, with a small jungle gym. People often flock there with the furry pooches.
TASTING ROOM
021 801 6772
tasting@daria.co.za
Monday to Friday: 10 am till 6 pm
Saturday: 10am till 5pm
Sunday: 11am till 5pm
Public Holidays: 10am till 4 pm
POPLARS RESTAURANT
021 9755736
poplars@mantellagroup. co.za
Monday-Wednesday: 12:00-21:00
Thursday-Saturday: 09:00-21:00
Sunday: 09:00-15:00
VENUE D’ARIA
021 975 0421
functions@venuedaria.co.za
Website: www.dariawinery.co.za
Altydgedacht Estate
Wine Tasting
Child-friendly
Pet-friendly
Established in 1698, Altydgedacht Estate is one of those historic farms, which has been in the Parker family since 1852. From the white washed walls to the three hundred year old cellar, the farm has managed to maintain its original charm and character.
They have a small boutique tasting area, overlooking a dam and play area with a jungle gym and sandpit for the kids. They’re also very pet-friendly and are known in the Durbanville area for the pooch-friendly service, leaving water bowls out for furry loved-ones.
TASTING ROOM
021 976 1295
info@altydgedacht.co.za
Monday-Friday: 09:00-17:00
Saturday & Public Holidays: 09:00-16:00
Sunday: 11:00-15:00
Website: www.altydgedacht.co.za
Canto Wines
Wine tasting
MCC tasting
Canto wines came about when local owner Marinus Neethling had the opportunity to attain a piece of land in the picturesque Durbanville wine valley. Being an avid wine enthusiast, the quality of vineyards inspired what we have today as Canto boutique winery. With beautiful old, dry land, low yielding vines only the best rows of grapes are harvested to produce the unwooded Chardonnay, Merlot and MCC.
Their tasting room has a deli for you to build your own platter whilst enjoying a wine or MCC tasting experience in their lounge or outside. They offer macaroon pairings too, which apparently everyone HAS to experience at least once in a lifetime. They close at 3pm so make sure you get there on time.
TASTING ROOM
021 492 2821 / 082 578 6821
info@cantowines.co.za
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday 9:00am-17:00pm
Fridays 9:00am- 19:00pm
Saturday 10:00am – 15:00pm
Website: www.cantowines.co.za