2 minute read
When in Cape Town…Go Taste Some Durbanville Wines
One of the best things to do when visiting Cape Town is to go on a wine tour, comparing vintages, cultivars and blends from one farm to the next and even pretending to know more than you do. A quick swirl and a sniff before taking a sip and then trying to identify the different flavours our taste buds pick up. Great fun!
The best-known wine routes usually attract the most visitors – such as the Constantia Wine Route where South Africa’s very first wine farm was established in 1685. Klein Constantia is still renowned for its Vin de Constance, once favoured by heavyweights such as Frederick the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, George IV of England and Otto von Bismarck. Franschhoek produces sought after, full-bodied Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines as well as some excellent MCCs. The most famous wine-producing region and home of some of the leading wineries, Stellenbosch is renowned for the quality of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Bordeaux blends. It is also the birthplace of the only South African cultivar – Pinotage. Yet, a quick 25-minute drive out of Cape Town will take you to the often forgotten Durbanville Wine Route.
The Durbanville Wine Valley is nestled in the Tygerberg Hills between Bloubergstrand and Durbanville, one of the northern suburbs. This wine route offers beautiful views of Table Mountain and excellent wines complemented by restaurants that range from rustic country kitchens to some of the best fine dining establishments found in Cape Town.
The gently rolling hills of the area offer different microclimates and combined with the cooling breeze from the nearby ocean create a terroir suited for stunning Sauvignon Blancs known for tropical aromas of grenadilla, guava as well as some green grass and more herbaceous flavours. No wonder Durbanville is known as “Sauvignon Blanc country.”
While known mostly for its Sauvignon Blancs, the warmer north-facing slopes are perfect for complex Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
WHICH WINERIES TO VISIT
With 15 wineries to choose from, it is easy to get lost there for an entire day. Here are three to start with:
Durbanville Hills Together with the best views of Table Mountain and Table Bay, Durbanville Hills offers a wide selection of wines ranging from Honeysuckle Demi-Sec sparkling wine (100% Chenin Blanc) to Pinotage and various white wines, including Sauvignon Blanc of course.
Hillcrest Estate A boutique winery that is known for its delicious Atlantic Slopes Hornfels Bordeaux blend as well as stand-alone Bordeaux varieties. The single-vineyard Saartjie range offers some of the most mouthwatering small-batch wines, especially the Semillon. Oh, and don’t forget to try the olives.
D’Aria Very popular over weekends, the tasting room at D’Aria is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon. Its flagship Songbird Sauvignon Blanc is a definite must-taste while the three restaurants – Patina Steak & Fine Wine, Botany and The Terrace – cater to all tastes.
Le Roux van Schalkwyk
