We’re five months into 2018 already and boy has it been a great ride so far! We were super excited to kick the year off with five #JoburgLovesWine partners and had a great time working with every one of them.
Since January, however, we’ve had another SIX join the club. So, we’ll be introducing our latest members to you in two blog posts over the next few days.
Please meet the first three (in alphabetical order):
Founded in 1685, Boschendal is one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa. Boschendal was first granted to the French Huguenot Jean le Long in 1685 by Simon van der Stel, the first governor of the Cape Colony. It was subsequently bought by Abraham de Villiers in 1715 and remained in that family for 164 years.
Since 2013, it’s been under ownership of a consortium led by Sam and Rob Lundie. Their goal has been to turn Boschendal into a top agricultural enterprise that produces sustainably-grown fresh produce and truly great wine. Furthermore, they ultimately hope that Boschendal will be a place where the natural environment thrives and local communities flourish.
Location: The farm is located in the Drakenstein Valley between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding
Cape fold mountains.
Why you should visit: Boschendal offers a truly diverse food experience with two restaurants, a deli, picnic options and a farm shop. Your taste buds are sure to tingle with delight during a visit to the farm. It’s also home to beautiful lush gardens, all sorts of farm animals to keep the kiddies delighted, well-preserved historical buildings and horse/mountain biking trails. For those who are in search of some spoiling, the Farm Spa offers an amazing range of treatments. Then, of course, you can’t miss out on a vineyard or cellar tour, ending with some wine tasting.
Although there are references to grapes having been grown on De Grendel in the 1800s, it was only in 2000 that viniculture was officially established on the estate. The farm was first established in 1720, when it was registered to one Meiboom.
It was bought by Sir David Graaff in the 1890s and has remained in the family ever since, stretching over four generations. De Grendel is currently owned by Sir De Villiers Graaff, son of the famous parliamentarian and previous owner of the same name.
The Graaff family motto is Justis Favet Creator (The Creator favours Justice) and they strive to live up to it, especially when it comes to the natural environment. De Grendel is a member of the WWF's Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI), a pioneering partnership between the country’s wine industry and conservation sector. Using drains to capture storm water through the wet season and send it down to the dam once circulated, the farm also prides itself on its water-wise agricultural principles.
Finally, De Grendel is dedicated to providing an ethical work environment. It has involved its farm workers on a shared-ownership basis and also invests heavily in the education of the farm labourers and their children.
Location: De Grendel forms part of the Durbanville Wine Valley and is located just off Plattekloof Road in Panorama. It offers unparalleled views of Table Mountain, the bay and the entire city.
Why you should visit: Apart from the fabulous views and sustainable farming practices, De Grendel also creates truly beautiful wines, most of which are available for tasting and is home to the award-winning De Grendel Restaurant.
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 Diemersdal Estate for over three centuries.
The farm was first granted to free burgher, Hendrik Sneewind by Simon van der Stel in 1698 and later became the property of Captain Diemer when he married the widow Sneewind. Since 1885, the Louw family has been at the helm of Diemersdal, passing their passion for wine down through the generations.
This, along with the distinct Durbanville terroir, makes for wines that are fresh, memorable and full of soul.
Location: Diemersdal is situated on the cool slopes of the Dorstberg, with Table Mountain as backdrop. The farm covers 340 hectares of land, with 180 of those under vines. The rest consists of grazing land, as well as a sizeable area of Renosterveld, one of the most threatened vegetation types in the world and an asset we work hard to conserve.
Why you should visit: Diemersdal’s wines are the product of a fascinating blend of new- and old- world techniques. Red wines spend time in traditional open fermenters to enhance the natural flavours and soften the tannins, while white wines are produced in a brand new state-of-the art winery where an approach of minimum intervention has been adopted. Learn more about this during a wine tasting experience. The Diemersdal Farm Eatery also offers delectable fresh and hearty meals.
