South Africa loves the Durbanville Wine Valley. That’s the only deduction to be made from another spectacular year of awards and innovation for this region located just minutes from the Cape Town CBD.
Not only have wines from every single of the 13 wineries in the region graced the podiums of leading wine shows over the past year, but it has also seen the array of wine farm experiences taken to greater heights.
With just weeks to go before year-end, it has remained in the news with two locals having been named finalists in the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year competition, to be announced on November 19. They are De Grendel’s Charles Hopkins in the category of Winemaker of the Year, and Groot Phesantekraal’s Richard Schroeder, for Young Winemaker of the Year.
“This has truly been an exceptional year for the Durbanville Wine Valley,” says wine route manager Natasha de Villiers. “We’re grateful for all the recognition, both from families and outdoor-lovers who choose Durbanville as their go-to destination, and wine judging panels whose ratings acknowledge the premier quality of the wines we produce.”
Fuelling excitement around the region this year were attractions including the completion of a new tasting room at Groot Phesantekraal; the addition of two new famous-brand restaurants at Meerendal; and, the opening of the 360°-view restaurant at Bloemendal. Furthermore, Durbanville Wine Valley showcased its 13 wineries at the inaugural Wine On The Square festival in Durbanville’s Village Square on November 5 and 6.
The success of the valley is highlighted in a visitor research report on South African wine tourism in 2022, compiled through the collaboration of the Cape Winelands Municipality; the SA Wine Routes Forum; Vinpro, an NPC representing some 2 600 wine grape producers and related enterprises; and research company Vintelligence.
It recorded that out of the 23 wine routes in South Africa, Durbanville was among the top three that South Africans are most aware of. In the Western Cape specifically, this awareness was driven by features in magazines or travel programmes, previous visits to the region, and the route being showcased at an event or festival.
While the report focused on wine route experiences, it is undoubtedly the reputation of Durbanville’s wines that have also been a significant drawcard. This year was no exception.
Groot Phesantekraal Tasting Room
Leading in the medal-stakes this year were Durbanville Hills, De Grendel and Diemersdal, which made headlines for the quality as well as diversity of their portfolios.
Among the highlights, De Grendel and Diemersdal each won a spot in the FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10, with Nitida and Durbanville Hills in the Top 20.
All thirteen Durbanville farms won two or more medals at Veritas 2022. In total Durbanville Wine Valley received 19 medals in the Double Gold and Gold categories. Double Golds were won by De Grendel (3), Diemersdal (1) and Durbanville Hills (2). Their wines were all recipients of Gold medals too, along with D’Aria Potstill Brandy and Nitida.
Furthermore, Gold was won by De Grendel at the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge 2022, and Double Gold, by Durbanville Hills at the Rosé Wine & Spirit Challenge.
At the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, De Grendel and Durbanville Hills each won a Platinum award. Double Gold went to Durbanville Hills (5), Groot Phesantekraal (2) and Nitida. Gold was awarded to Altydgedacht, Bloemendal (2), Canto (3), D`Aria (5), De Grendel (3), Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills (3) and Klein Roosboom (2).
This year, Diemersdal secured the General Smuts Trophy for the best wine entered at the SA Young Wine Show. Along with this, the winery was class winner of the wooded and unwooded category and, therefore, winners of the overall Shiraz category.
Of the Top 12 winners at the Shiraz Challenge 2022, three wines were from Durbanville wineries – Diemersdal, De Grendel and Groot Phesantekraal.
Among the national winners at the 2022 SA Terroir Awards were Altydgedacht and De Grendel while regional champions were Canto, Klein Roosboom and Groot Phesantekraal.
Durbanville Hills and De Grendel were also singled out at the auspicious Decanter World Wine Awards 2022, each receiving two silver medals.
At the Trophy Wine Show, Durbanville Hills emerged as the second-most successful winery at the competition, taking honours in amongst others the list of Top 10 red wines, along with Diemersdal, and Top 10 best value red wines too. Both Durbanville Hills and Diemersdal also earned themselves a Gold medal.
