It’s no secret that I enjoy a glass (or three!) of wine every so often (ok, on most days!). I enjoy it even more when I’m out and about in the winelands. And we are incredibly fortunate to have so many amazing wineries within a short distance from our homes. It astounds me that after 12+ years of living in Cape Town (yes darlings, I’m a fully-fledged Capetonian), that I still haven’t been to ALL the wine estates in our beautiful province. So many wineries, so little time! But, I digress ….

You know the saying “Sharing is caring”? Well, I really want to share my latest find with you – De Grendel Wines and Restaurant. Heard of it? Been there? Many of you may have, but I only recently had the pleasure of discovering this gorgeous wine estate that is almost literally on my doorstep. Well, not quite. But I consider anything within 20 minutes of my home on my doorstep. I know, I know … you’re probably wondering what rock I’ve been hiding under for so long!

Founded in 1720, this scenic gem forms part of the picturesque Durbanville Wine Valley, part of a prestigious group of 12 wine farms that make up the Valley. I first visited De Grendel during the Seasons of Sauvignon Festival in October 2016 and instantly fell in love. My next visit was on Mother’s Day and what a stunning day it was.

It was the perfect day with spoils all the way. After being treated to some sweet home-made gifts from my son and a delicious breakfast in bed, we headed out to De Grendel for the afternoon.

I’m a sucker for beautiful views and De Grendel has one of the best I’ve ever seen. One can either sit indoors in the glass-encased verandah of their Tasting Lounge or sip wine alfresco style on the Stoep (patio). Since we were experiencing an Indian summer that day (it’s actually autumn in South Africa), we happily sat at a table on the outdoor Stoep and marvelled at the scenery before us.

Looking out over the vineyards, the glorious views of Table Mountain, the Mother City and Atlantic Ocean are simply breathtaking. Situated on the slopes of the Tygerberg, suburbia is about a five minute drive away yet you are surrounded by open skies, fresh air and tranquility.

All the Moms were spoilt with a complimentary glass of their oh-so-fab De Grendel MCC Brut 2014 – just look at those bubbles! This deliciously light and crisp bubbly was sublime and went down very well in the heat of the afternoon sun.

Two wine tasting options are available but we opted to share a bottle of the De Grendel Rosé 2017 (R65.00 per bottle), one of my favourite rosé wines! But alas, you have to order by the glass (R35.00 per glass). If you’re planning on being here for a few hours, it could become quite costly.

While we were taking in the views and chatting, our son happily played football with some other kids on the lush green lawns next to the vines. If you’re not a wine drinker, there are two choices – order water or De Grendel’s new craft cider called Obex.

There is much to discover at De Grendel, from their fascinating heritage and history to award-winning wines and so much more. I am dying to indulge my taste buds at De Grendel Restaurant, a recent nominee for a 2017 World Luxury Restaurant Award. Specializing in contemporary Cape Town cuisine, they use classic, locally sourced ingredients while creating inventive, modern dishes.

Whatever you do, don’t leave it for as long as I did to discover this wonderful wine estate about twenty minutes from the city centre. Trust me; you’ll be wondering why it took you so long!

Let me know if you’ve been before or are planning to go. Whether it’s for a wine tasting or a delectable dining experience at De Grendel Restaurant, I’ve no doubt you’ll want to return time and again.