De Grendel Wines

South African Fine Wine in Tygerberg.

Sir David Graaff first planted vines on De Grendel in 1999, almost 200 years after the last vines were destroyed. Since then De Grendel has become synonymous with exquisite wines, borne of the Graaff's love of the soil and scientific approach to winemaking. The Estate is now run by Sir David's son, De Villiers. It is the closest winery to Cape Town CBD, so definitely worth a visit if you are in flying into Cape Town for a short trip and want to experience fine wine and cuisine at their tasting room and award winning restaurant.

De Grendel, meaning latch or lock in Dutch, is one of Cape Town’s oldest farms, stretching out over almost 330 hectares on the fynbos-covered slopes of Tygerberg Hill.

Winemaker and Cellar Master, Charles Hopkins,  has been at De Grendel since the very beginning of winemaking on the Durbanville farm in 2005, when Sir David Graaff recruited him from the famous Graham Beck Wines with an irresistible offer to head up winemaking, and to design and build his own cellar.

The breath taking view of Table Mountain from the farm, 350 meters above sea level, is arguably the best in the Cape Winelands. On a clear day, you can see all the way from Table Bay to False Bay, and sometimes even on to Cape Point.

This picture was taken by Penny from the beautiful restaurant terrace at the De Grendel Estate in Plattekloof in October 2022.