We’re super excited to welcome the first of our wine partners on board for 2019.
Without their passion, enthusiasm and… well… wine, the Joburg Wine Club would simply not exist.
So, be sure to support them whenever you have an opportunity and, if ever you find yourself in the winelands, do pay the farms a visit!
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.
Although wine has been produced in the Durbanville Valley since the early 1700s – as mentioned in the section about Diemersdal above – Durbanville Hills only came into being in the 1990s. It was started as a joint venture by seven grape farmers and Distell, who agreed to build a cellar on the property. These days, there are nine member producers.
Durbanville Hills is famous for producing a range of popular, easy-drinking wines that are widely available on wine menus around South Africa as well the world. They also produce what is known as the Collector’s Reserve - a unique range specially crafted by the Durbanville Hills winemakers using only the finest grapes from Cape Town’s best vineyards. The Tangram is their most exclusive range, with only one red and one white blend available under this label. These wines have been made from cultivars chosen from specially selected vineyards in the Durbanville, Cape Town region.
Location: Durbanville Hills is located only 22km outside of Cape Town, but with its lush scenery and epic views, will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the heart of the countryside.
Why you should visit: Apart from their range of popular, exclusive and flagship wines, Durbanville Hills offers an exceptional dining experience at their restaurant, from where you can also enjoy spectacular views of Table Mountain- and Bay in the distance.
Fleur du Cap was launched in 1968, shortly after the opening of Die Bergkelder, the famous mountain cellar which cuts deep into the Papegaaiberg in Stellenbosch.
Built by Dr Anton Rupert, it was the first underground bottle maturation cellar of its kind in the southern hemisphere and quickly distinguished itself as an important innovator in the wine industry. In the 1970s, the team played a pivotal role in establishing classic noble grape varieties in the vineyards of the Cape and introduced the maturation of quality wine in small casks of new French oak.
The launch of the top tier Fleur du Cap Unfiltered range in 1998 is a testament to this pioneering legacy.
Importantly, Fleur du Cap is not constrained by farm, vineyard or climate. The winemaking team is adept at choosing the finest grapes from pockets of vineyards in diverse locations throughout the Cape Winelands. Each vineyard is selected for its unique combination of soils, climate, aspect and orientation best suited to the particular grape variety.
Location: Fleur du Cap is headquartered in Die Bergkelder, located in Stellenbosch’s Papegaaiberg.
Why you should visit: Discover the unusual combination of Fleur du Cap wines and artisanal salts at daily wine tastings where handmade salted morsels meld with our superb hands-off, naturally crafted wines.
Sprung from the dreams of visionary local farmers in the Paarl Valley, KWV has grown from modest beginnings into a globally-recognised, award-winning wine and spirits company.
The company was established in 1918 and soon took on a pioneering role in the South African wine industry.
The KWV Classic Collection range is crafted with extraordinary skill and dedication, keeping our vision in mind - to ensure that every vintage is better than the last and consistently offering a rewarding experience with the focus on single varietal expression.
Location: KWV is located in the historical winelands’ town of Paarl, which lies just more than 50km outside of Cape Town and 27km from Stellenbosch.
Why you should visit: If you’re fascinated by the wine-making process, you will love spending time at KWV’s Wine Emporium. Occupying over 22 hectares, the KWV cellar complex in Paarl is one of the largest in the world. Here, you will be able to enjoy a variety of tasting experiences, including everything from sparkling wines to brandies. They also conduct frequent cellar tours.
