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VOLLEY OF WINE AWARDS REVEAL DURBANVILLE’S STATURE FOR QUALITY
Summer programme of events to showcase heritage and excellence
Durbanville, South Africa, 10 December 2025: The Durbanville Wine Valley enters the summer season on a high note, celebrating a remarkable year marked by standout awards, major milestones and continued innovation. From national accolades to estate anniversaries, the valley’s collective achievements have underscored its reputation as one of South Africa’s most dynamic wine regions.
Now, with December 2025 in full swing, the excitement builds once again as local wineries prepare to welcome visitors with a calendar of special summer events - each designed to showcase the best of Durbanville’s wines, hospitality and distinct sense of place.
“Our member producers have just come through an exceptional year, and the energy across the valley is truly inspiring,” says Annemarie Fick, newly appointed manager of the Durbanville Wine Valley.
“As we head into the summer season, we can’t wait to welcome visitors to experience the special offerings and warm hospitality that make Durbanville such a remarkable place to explore.”
Another headline year for Durbanville
Durbanville reaped another bumper crop of awards this year but also marked prominent milestones.
Among the significant highlights was the release of a wine made through the collaboration of the region’s winemakers. The Durbanville Pinotage 2024, available only as a magnum, highlighted not only the area’s outstanding ability to produce quality cool climate red wines, but also Durbanville’s 200-year anniversary, century of Pinotage, and century of Afrikaans as an official language. A small number of the wines are still available for purchase.
The Durbanville Wine Valley was one of the few regions selected to take part in the Cape Wine show, where the best of South African wines was showcased to agents from across the world. During the week-long event, two prominent events were hosted for international visitors to introduce them to Durbanville’s region and terroir. The first was a Sauvignon Blanc and Ocean foraging experience that highlighted the influence of the cool ocean breezes on the region’s flagship white wine. The Durbanville producers also hosted a Flames & Reds evening, which began with a cannon firing and showcased heritage and cool-climate reds.
The celebration of heritage and excellence will be on show again this summer season with numerous events being hosted by producers in the valley. Be sure to call ahead on days you suspect wineries may be closed, such as December 25 and January 1.
Reasons to head to Durbanville this festive season
Nitida is expanding its tasting room and food offering. The new tasting room will offer sweeping views and platters to enjoy with their range of wines. Updates on the expansion process are posted on their social media channels. Bookings are encouraged.
De Grendel is going big with a picnic party of note. The 70’s and 80’s superband Boney M will be live at the estate on December 21 as part of its 50th anniversary world tour. Tickets available via Webtickets or Pick ‘n Pay with an early-bird price of R595pp. The restaurant and tasting room will also be open to guests over the festive season. Bookings are encouraged.
Klein Roosboom's Jean Restaurant will host the Bacchus Tot Bekker show with Amore Bekker of RSG on 12 December, for which bookings can be made via Quicket. Furthermore, its tasting room has launched a festive season menu as well as two festive picnic options. The tasting room will be open all week over the festive season.
Durbanville Hills SUNDAZE Summer Sundays are back, with a live DJ setting the tone for a laid-back afternoon. Remaining dates: 14 Dec, 28 Dec, 25 Jan, 8 Feb, 8 March and 29 March. R100 pp, including a welcome drink. Under 18s get free entry. Bookings via Webtickets.
Furthermore, the tasting room offers a special Festive Sparkling Wine & Meringue pairing, alongside their usual tastings and pairings, including kiddie-friendly options.
The tasting room at Meerendal offers a bubbly tasting and bubbly pairing with three Cocoafair treats. Apart from this new addition, normal tasting options, including a non-alcoholic pairing and a kiddies tasting, remain. Bookings are encouraged.
D’Aria will have a festive Lindt-and-wine paring for the holiday season that runs alongside its usual offering, including a kiddie-friendly juice pairing. Their shaded lawns with ample space to play are perfect for a family outing.
Canto is another family-favourite. Whether you prefer wine, bubbly or gin, Canto has a pairing available. Order a pizza from the wood-fired oven or pack a picnic from their deli.
Don’t forget that Durbanville also has a tour option in custom-built Wine Safari vehicles. It’s ideal for a day trip. Curated group bookings available.
Durbanville winemakers shoot out the lights
The festive programme is an ideal way of getting to know the wines that brought in the awards over the past year, and what a great year it was. Producers of the Durbanville Wine Valley once again demonstrated why the region’s terroir is so well suited to producing outstanding wines. The list below highlights merely the top-line accolades received by the region’s wineries this year, with the roll of honour including accolades for business acumen too.
Thys Louw of Diemersdal and Karin de Villiers of Klein Roosboom were named Businessman and Businesswoman of the Year 2025 at the Durbanville Sakekamer year-end event. Their achievements highlight not only their own success, but also that of the Durbanville Wine Valley as driving force for Durbanville’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Diemersdal was also named Platter’s Top Performing Winery of the Year with six of its wines receiving five-star ratings. Other awards received in 2025 include the Burgoyne Trophy for SA Championship Shiraz at the SA Young Wine Show 2025; two wines among the Top 12 Shiraz at the Shiraz SA Challenge; and, the Journal Pinotage 2022 listed in the ABSA Top 10 Pinotage of SA for 2025.
The wines of Durbanville Hills received numerous awards, once again. A highlight being their two five-star ratings with the Platter’s wine guide of 2026 – a first for Durbanville Hils. Other awards included: The Tangram White Blend 2023 receiving a 96-point score at the Decanter World Wine Awards, ranking it among the top 6 Sauvignon Blancs in the world; and Double Gold at the Veritas Wine Awards.
From our biggest producer to our smallest. Mellish Family Vineyards had an outstanding year as well. Its Bakenkop Blanc Fumé 2022 received a five-star rating in the Platter’s guide.
Amongst all its accolades for the year, De Grendel achieved an unprecedented three places in the Top 12 Shiraz. It also received three Platinum awards at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirit Awards; two Gold Decanter Wine Awards with points of 95 and more, out of a 100; and a Top 10 White Wine position for the Op die Berg Chardonnay 2024 at the Trophy Wine Show.
This was Groot Phesantekraal’s year for trophies, winning the Agri Expo Gold Tray Trophy at the Young Wine Show as well as the International Judge’s Trophy at the Trophy Wine Show. At the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirit Awards as well as the Veritas Awards, the winery also received Double Gold wins.
Meerendal had a great year as well with The Millhouse Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2023 receiving a Platinum Award at the Michelangelo Wine Awards with a score of 97 points. Its Heritage Block Pinotage and Chapel Blanc Fume also received Double Gold at Michelangelo.
Other stand-out awards from local producers were Nitida’s Wild Child Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon being crowned the category trophy winners at the Fine Wine Awards; D’Aria’s Winter Ballade 2023 receiving Double Gold at the Gold Wine Awards 2025 and its Sauvignon Blanc 2025 receiving Double Gold at Michelangelo; and, Maastricht’s Sauvignon Blanc 2025 making the FNB Top 10 list.
These accolades underscore a legacy of consistent excellence in producing award-winning cool-climate wines for which Durbanville has become known. For more information about Durbanville Wine Valley’s activities this festive season, follow us at @durbanvillewine or visit our website at www.durbanvillewine.co.za.
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