The Season of Sauvignon 2016 is upon us! Think warmer sunny days, fun with friends and naturally, glasses of cool crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The Durbanville Wine Valley, is celebrating the season in style, and invites Sauvignon Blanc lovers to join them. [Read more…]
Season of Sauvignon Durbanville Wine Valley
Season of Sauvignon
This weekend Durbanville Wine Valley is hosting a Season of Sauvignon. The festival takes place on the 24th and 25th October. Season of Sauvignon celebrates spring, as well as a selection of amazing Sauvignon Blanc’s from the area.
Nestled in the Tygerberg Hills, a mere 20 minutes drive from Cape Town, lies the Durbanville Wine Valley. Perhaps not one of the most well known wine routes, the Durbanville Wine Valley, has become a force to be reckoned with in the wine industry! With hectares of flourishing vineyards, award winning wines and hospitable atmosphere, this wine route is fast becoming the Cape’s destination of choice.
The Durbanville Wine Valley consists of twelve wineries, each offering the finest in wines. Durbanville wine farms, also offer some of the best fine dining restaurants and intimate country kitchens in the region. Having only visited a handful of the participating farms, myself, I am really looking forward to exploring more of the valley!
Below you will find a list of the farms participating in the Season of Sauvignon, as well as more details on the their offering. Along with wine tasting, the farms will offer delicious food, ranging from spit braai to sushi, so there will be something to please every palate.
As well as delicious food and wine, you can enjoy a festive atmosphere, with live music and plenty of supervised entertainment for the kids! If you are keen on a bit of adventure, you can indulge in a Heli-hop between De Grendel, Durbanville Hills and Meerendal, with Base4 Aviation. {see contact details below to book}
The map below will help you plan your route and decide which farms you would like to visit first.
I hope to see you there! Please remember drink responsibly and DO NOT Drink & Drive!
Contact details: For a details and information on the Season of Sauvignon, as well as ticket sales visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za. Heli-hop between De Grendel, Durbanville Hills and Meerendal with Base4 Aviation contact tel 021 934-4405 or [email protected]
De Grendel Wine Farm
You may remember a recent post I did featuring City Escapes and a brief write-up I did on De Grendel Wine Farm. I thought I would do a bit more of an in-depth feature on the Estate and give you a bit more detail on what the wine farm has to offer.
De Grendel Wine
The farm offers visitors the most spectacular, unparalleled panoramic views, with a particularly amazing view of Table Mountain. {I loved my shot of Table Mountain in a wine glass}
You will also catch a glimpse of the City and the Seaboard, all in one landscape. De Grendel is situated a mere 20 minutes from the city and forms part of the Durbanville Wine Route.
The farm is steeped in local history and has been in the Graaff family for three generations. Baronet, Sir David Graaff, retired politician and leading wine farmer, continues the legacy left by his father and grandfather before him. The historic De Grendel farm remains the heart and soul of the family, assisted by members of staff whose roots on the property go back five generations. Sir David has built a reputation for upliftment in the community, supporting farm labourers and their families and encouraging education for their children.
As far as wine making goes De Grendel Vineyards are perfectly situated on high, sea-facing slopes, it is the only vineyard in the country, which is 350m above sea level and only 7 km from the sea. This elevated position is not only majestic, but creates the micro-climate, vital to the production of their elegant wines.
Our vines benefit from the western-facing aspect and the close moderating effects of the ocean – advantages that are the product of the site. In our viticulture and wine-making, our goal is the expression of the character of this distinctive position.
The day we picked for our visit to the farm was wonderfully clear, albeit a bit chilly but all in all the perfect winters day!
We chose to do the full wine tasting, as well as snack on a cheese board from their Vine and Dine menu.
A few of our favourite whites tasted, were the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2014 Koetshuis, both wines are wonderfully fruity, with a crisp dry finish. Perfect summer time wines!
Rosé is one of my favourite lazy, summer time wines, providing it is dry and not too sweet! The De Grendel 2014 Rosé is perfect! Again lovely and fruity but with a crisp dry finish.
As far as reds go my favourite reds at the moment are usually Shiraz, so I was really surprised by the De Grendel 2012 Merlot! The Merlot is a delicious, full bodied wine filled with a combination of different berries on the nose. Mulberry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit accompanied by liquorice and mocha flavours that carry through on palate. Well supported by firm French oak tannins. Naturally we bought a combination of the wines to enjoy at home!
Tasting fees are R50.00 for the full range of wines available for tasting or R20.00 for any three available wines. Groups larger than eight are kindly requested to book with Douglas on 021 558 6280, weekend tasting sessions for these groups are only available from 09h00-10h30.
As well as wine tasting, the estate boasts an Elegant Restaurant, which is 100% South African! Farm produce and ingredients sourced from local suppliers are given an inventive, modern edge. Home-grown South African chefs and staff are employed and trained to international standards, generating jobs for local people. We have not eaten at the restaurant yet but plan to in the very near future!
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. At dinner the exceptional five course tasting menu (tailored to diner preferences) is a huge draw card, offering the chance to experience the talents and creative abilities of the chefs over more courses. De Grendel Wines are on the menu at cellar prices, making this fine dining experience accessible at realistic prices.
Contact Details:
Wine Farm
t: +27 (0) 21 558 6280
f: +27 (0) 21 558 7083
e: [email protected]
follow the wine farm: facebook | twitter
Restaurant
t: +27 (0) 21 558 7035
e: [email protected]
follow the restaurant: facebook | twitter
Directions
De Grendel is only twenty minutes from the Waterfront or airport. Leave the N1 at exit 18; continue left down the Plattekloof Road for another 5 km, De Grendel is on the right.
Image Source: 1-14 ©FAR Photography, 15 ©De Grendel
Disclosure Ranking: 2
City Escapes with City Lodge
As you know I love travel, both locally and international but time and budget constraints, usually only allow international travel once a year. We also like to venture along the coast or into the country, for weekend breaks but lately we have been doing more City Escapes. Staying closer to home and exploring more of what Cape Town has to offer! [Read more…]