The Durbanville Vineyards
|
|
Like their distinctive, fruity wines, the farms in
the Durbanville Wine Valley are easy to fall in love with. Open for
visiting and tastings Monday-Friday: 9h00-17h30; Saturday: 9h00-13h00.
Those of particular interest for the wine tourist
are: |
Nitida Wines
|
|
| Nitida is one of the most
consistently awarded boutique cellars in the country. The Veller family,
who own and run Nitida, encourage you to linger and taste both the red and
white wines which have won gold and silver medals since they first
appeared on the market in 1995.
Bought as a sheep farm 10 years ago, 13 hectares of vineyard have now
been planted and wine is made in a small hands-on, and often creative
cellar. As you arrive you might have a chance encounter with a tame
Vietnamese pig or a dog might approach you for some affection.
The Veller’s fruit driven wines are named after the
"nitidus" protea which grows in the region’s unique
vegetation. Nitidus means "bright, shiny, refined, cultured" and
winemaker Bernhard Veller aims to embody these qualities in each of his
hand-crafted wines.
www.sawineco.com/nitida.htm |
Nitida Vineyards |
Diemersdal
|
|
| Diemersdal is a magnificent 300 year old estate
which has been farmed by the Louw family since 1885.
Tienie Louw realised that the conditions and position of the farm were
ideal for grape growing. By 1920 he had planted extensive vineyards on the
foothills of the Drostberg. On his death, Anna Louw - one of the country’s
first female winemakers - switched production to vinegar and communion
wine because of her religious beliefs.
Today, 170 hectares of vineyard produces top quality grapes which are
mostly bottled under the Diemersdal label for local and international
distribution |
Diemersdal |
Bloemendal wines
|
|
| Bloemendal wines are like
winemaker/owner Jackie Coetzee -- extrovert, bold and full of down to
earth character. Best known for his award winning reds in the past, Jackie
has recently also developed an enviable reputation for producing top
Sauvignon Blanc.
Bloemendal was probably farmed from as early as 1680, but was only
officially granted in 1702. The first vintage was released in 1987 when
Jackie Coetzee registered Bloemendal as an estate.
Today, 145 of the 237 hectares is planted to premium cultivar grapes
most of which are sold to other cellars. Just 80 specially selected tonnes
are made into Bloemendal wines in the farm’s original 1920 cellar. The
Bloemendal wines are characterised by ripe full tannins and abundant
fruit.
www.bloemendal.co.za |
View from Bloemendal Winery
|
|
