The ultimate guide to the Durbanville Winelands

Maastricht’s charming tasting room opened in 2020 in the old farm cellar, and pairs 17th-century roots (the farm dates to 1692) with easy country polish. Most of the farm’s plantings are Sauvignon Blanc, with a venerable 36-year-old Pinotage block and a rare patch of Pinot Noir tucked into indigenous renosterveld. Start with the crisp, unwooded Sauvignon Blanc, then seek out the standout Contour Sauvignon Blanc, a single-vineyard bottling from the estate’s highest block. There’s an unusual Cap Classique Brut Rosé made from Grenache, too. Settle in at tables under the oaks, in the expanded courtyard, or by the fireside indoors. Platters of cheese and charcuterie will tempt you, but don’t miss the excellent Dutch bitterballen with Dijon mustard. Most of their wines sell straight from the cellar door, and Maastricht’s award-winning Sauvvie is among the valley’s best value. Tastings cover five wines, with optional add-ons.

Tygerberg Valley Rd, Durbanville

This might just be the most fun you can have at a wine tasting anywhere in the Cape Winelands. And although you could simply turn up for a tasting in the charming Wine Shed at Klein Roosboom, it’s worth booking in advance to enjoy an exclusive tasting in one of the seven themed ‘Wine Caves’. Each has been carved out of old concrete fermentation tanks in the cellar and decorated in a riotously quirky fashion. There’s the ‘Ougat’ filled with artworks, ‘Kombuis’ with giant pencils to colour in on the walls, and Spens packed with kitchen paraphernalia.

You’ll be smiling before you even get to the wine! Tastings are led by well-informed staff who’ll fill you in on the history of the farm and the extensive range, and are available as White, Red, or Best of Both. The range leans into Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, while the Cap Classique bubbles are superb and worth exploring.

Tygerberg Valley Rd, Durbanville

There’s a new energy in the cellars at D’Aria, with wines that are leaning upmarket while staying true to the valley and its vineyards. The relaxed tasting room spills onto a riverside deck beneath poplars. All labels here riff on music, so order The Choir then explore D’Aria’s famous pairings: a compact menu of platters and open sandwiches, seasonal themed flights, and the steal-of-a-deal Ensemble (sparkling wine with oysters). The Reserve Range appears as The Grammy’s tasting, led by Songbird (a deftly wooded Sauvignon Blanc) and Soprano Shiraz from the oldest block, a benchmark cool-climate style. 

Time Out Tip: Ask about the brand-new tiny-batch Grenache Noir that’s usually only available to members of the wine club. D’Aria also crafts its own gin and brandy, the estate offers 12 guest rooms spread across six freestanding cottages if you want to spend the night.

Tygerberg Valley Rd, Durbanville

With panoramic views across the city to Table Mountain, De Grendel’s glass-fronted tasting room offers three tiered flights – Classic, Heritage and Legacy (ranging from R150 to R170 per tasting) – exploring the estate’s range of premium wines. De Grendel is perhaps most famous for Sauvignon Blanc, but the Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir are outstanding here too. Want to learn more? The guided Farm Tour traverses the property in an open safari-style vehicle to spot springbok, eland, red hartebeest and bontebok while unpacking Graaff family history.

Alongside the tasting room, the De Grendel Restaurant serves fine, seasonal plates that lean on the estate’s organic vegetable garden; it’s a polished dining room with knockout views and a menu of contemporary Cape cuisine.

Plattekloof Road, Panorama

While the farm’s history can be traced to 1698 and the earliest days of the Cape colony, Diemersdal has been in the Louw family since 1885, and winemaker Thys Louw is today the 6^th generation of the family to make wine on the estate. He’s known for his deft hand with Sauvignon Blanc – there are nine different expressions to sample here – and the list of Sauvvie is remarkably diverse. The Estate range comes from a blend of 10 different vineyard blocks, while the unusual Winter Ferment is made from grapes frozen after harvest, and only fermented five months later, defrosted in the winter sun! The standout though is surely the Wild Horseshoe Sauvignon Blanc, which won Sauvignon Blanc of the year in the 2025 Platter’s Guide. Beyond the Sauvignon Blanc, also don’t miss the Pinotage – another Thys Louw speciality – as well as a pair of superb Chardonnays.

Tastings (six wines, from R50-R100, depending on range) are offered in the charming heritage-style tasting room – all flagstone floors and high-beamed ceilings – or at tables out on the oak-shaded terrace. Service is on point, with as much winemaking geekery as you ask for. Come for a kuier, or deep dive into the intricacies of malolactic fermentation, your call. A small selection of snacks (biltong, crisps and cheese platters) is offered, or book a table for lunch at Diemersdal Farm Eatery. The Thursday Date Night steak specials are great value.

Koeberg Road, Durbanville

There’s plenty to keep you busy at Meerendal, but don’t miss out on the wine tasting. Choose between an easy-going White/Red flight or the Collection tasting of flagship bottles, often matched with confectionery from on-site chocolatier Cocoafair: think milk-tart ganache or brownies alongside your sip. Pinotage is the headliner here, and the estate’s heritage block is the third-oldest in the country! Sauvignon Blanc fans will be happy here too: try the Chapel Blanc Fumé (barrel-fermented) or the bottle-fermented Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc for something different. Coastal breezes and the farm’s proximity to the cool Atlantic help keep things crisp. The tasting room spans a cosy lounge and leafy pergola, with light bites available.

Vissershok Rd, Durbanville

Perched high above Table Bay, serving as the gateway to the region, the largest cellar in the Durbanville Wine Valley is a glass-walled marvel that offers something for everyone. After taking in the view, make your choice: a guided tasting with pairing bites at the counter, a self-guided walk through the multi-sensory winemaking museum, or an immersive cellar tour and wine blending experience (prior booking essential)? For a full exploration of Durbanville Hills, opt for the Collectors Experience, which includes a cellar tour and tasting of the Cape-inspired Collectors Reserve range, each paired with generous canapés and served in the Tangram Restaurant. Here, you’ll want to reserve a table for an elevated dining experience with unforgettable Table Mountain views. 

For a more relaxed option, visit the Olive Grove Bistro downstairs, where you can enjoy wood-fired pizzas, West Coast oysters, and laid-back dishes perfect for sunset on the lawns. On summer Sundays, the Sundaze sessions feature DJs and create a festival atmosphere on the lawns. 

Tygerberg Valley Rd, Durbanville

 In a valley famous for Sauvignon Blanc, Groot Phesantekraal hangs its hat on Chen Blanc, the star of Swartland just to the north. Expect salinity and herbaceous notes here; a freshness shaped by autumn fogs rolling in off the Atlantic and a notable diurnal shift. But don’t take my word for it… the Estate Chenin Blanc has scored Double Gold at the respected Veritas awards! 

Tastings are offered in the contemporary tasting room (look out for the striking Michael Chandler mural) or, better when it’s sunny, on the shady terrace. They start with a complimentary platter of farm bread, olives, and olive oil, with charcuterie platters – all made on the farm – also on offer. Choose between the Estate or Reserve tasting experiences. 

Time Out Tip: Join their wine club for discounts on restaurant dining and wine sales, as well as a free six-bottle case on your birthday!

Klipheuwel Rd (R302), Durbanville

Surrounded by lush lawns and vineyard vistas, the airy tasting room at Canto sees wooden tables and metal chairs scattered among towering pre-loved fermentation tanks. It’s bright, airy and full of light… not unlike the Cap Classiques that Canto is most famous for. While they offer an array of still wines – Sauvignon Blanc, of course, alongside a delicious wooded Chardonnay – it’s the bubbly that brings wine enthusiasts to Canto. The focused Méthode Cap Classique tasting presents a sip of Canto’s four styles of bubbly: a Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend, classic Blanc de Blancs, Pinot Noir, and an unusual fruit-forward Shiraz-based bubbly. Found one you love? All are available by the glass or bottle. The MCC and Macaron pairing is another highlight, showcasing MCC’s versatility alongside a selection of delicious macarons ranging from pistachio to salted caramel. If they whet your appetite, a compact menu of cheese and charcuterie platters is available, as well as a pizza menu to keep the kids happy. 

Vissershok Rd, Durbanville

The tasting room at Nitida is largely unchanged since 1998, and that’s its charm: low-key, friendly and focused on what’s in the glass. Choose between Classical (four wines) and Artisanal flights, with occasional vertical tastings for the geeks. The line-up leans toward Sauvignon Blanc excellence: Wild Child (wild-fermented, wooded), Golden Orb (single-vineyard, age-worthy) and Coronata Integration (a polished Sauvignon–Sémillon blend). Reds include a supple, cool-climate Pinot Noir, an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside Calligraphy, a Merlot-led Bordeaux blend. Dogs are welcome at on-site eateries Cassia and Tables by Nitida, but also don’t miss a stop at the quirky Cannon Station of vintage originals that are even fired occasionally!

Tygerberg Valley Rd, Durbanville

The Mellish family has farmed Welbeloond’s 550 hectares for over a century. While primarily growing wheat and keeping cattle, they planted their first vines 25 years ago. Today, they look after 35 hectares of low-yielding vineyards on the slopes of Bakenkop. 

A focused portfolio of four wines is lighter in style and lower in alcohol. The bush-vine Chenin Blanc 2023 (planted to dodge the south-easter) shows freshness and saline poise; Blanc Fumé layers new oak and extended skin contact for complexity. Perhaps the standout is the Klipmynpad Pinotage: low-yielding bush vines produce a wine that reflects its Pinot Noir roots, with bright perfume and a fine fruit-tannin structure. Tastings at Mellish Family Vineyards are available by appointment, but a better option is to book a ticket on the Durbanville Wine Safari.

Corner of Potsdam Road and Malibongwe Drive

Drinking and driving is not OK, right? Right. That’s where the Durbanville Wine Safari comes in, offering a hop-on, hop-off loop linking the valley’s top cellars in 22-seater safari vehicles. And you have a choice of two routes: the Northern Line (Groot Phesantekraal, Diemersdal, Canto, Meerendal, Bloemendal, D’Aria) and the Southern Line (De Grendel, Durbanville Hills, Klein Roosboom, Nitida, Maastricht, Bloemendal). Want to buy the wines you love? Drivers will store your purchases for collection later. And did you know that the Durbanville Wine safari was one of Time Out's top things to do worldwide in 2025!