Exploring the Durbanville Wine Route: A Day at Groot Phesantekraal

The Durbanville Wine Route has fast become one of the Western Cape’s most loved destinations, offering the perfect mix of award-winning South African wines, breathtaking scenery, and welcoming farm-style hospitality. Nestled among the rolling hills and cool-climate vineyards of this region is Groot Phesantekraal, a family-run wine farm where history, flavour, and nature come together to create an unforgettable Cape Winelands experience. Whether you're looking for exceptional wine, a hearty farm-to-table dining in Durbanville experience, or simply a day out with the family, Groot Phesantekraal ticks every box.

A Warm, Family-Friendly Welcome

Dating back more than 300 years, Groot Phesantekraal is steeped in heritage, yet it remains a working farm at heart. What sets it apart on the Durbanville Wine Route is its relaxed, family-friendly wine farms atmosphere. Here, everyone is welcome, whether you're a wine enthusiast, a foodie, or a parent seeking a safe and open space for your kids to explore. The estate's wide-open spaces, farm animals, and friendly team create a space where visitors of all ages can slow down, enjoy the fresh country air, and connect with nature and each other.

Award-Winning Wines to Savour

Of course, no visit to Groot Phesantekraal is complete without wine tasting in Durbanville, sampling their impressive range of award-winning wines, each beautifully expressing the unique cool-climate character of the Durbanville Wine Route terroir.

Anna de Koning Chenin Blanc 2021

This limited-production, barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc is named after Anna de Koning, the wife of the farm's original owner, a true symbol of the estate’s rich heritage. Expect elegant layers of almond, ripe citrus, Cape gooseberry, and juicy melon, wrapped in a soft, creamy texture with a lingering finish. It has earned numerous accolades, including a Gold Veritas award, a 92-point rating in the Tim Atkin Best of South Africa 2023 report, 4.5 stars in the Platter’s 2024 guide, and a Double Gold at the Global Fine Wine Challenge.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

A beautifully structured, bold red that spent 14 months maturing in oak. Aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, and subtle herbal notes give way to a palate rich with dark fruit, black pepper spice, and a lingering cocoa finish, making it a perfect companion for hearty meat dishes. This Cabernet has been honoured with a Double Gold at the 2023 Michelangelo Awards and received 4.5 stars in the Platter’s 2024 guide.

Sauvignon Blanc 2022

This vibrant Sauvignon Blanc bursts with notes of passionfruit, guava, grapefruit, and lemongrass. A quintessential expression of the Durbanville Wine Route’s refreshing cool climate, it is ideal for summer sipping or pairing with seafood and seasonal dishes. This lively white earned a Double Gold at the 2023 Michelangelo Awards.

Berliet Pinotage 2020

Named after the vintage Berliet automobile proudly displayed on the farm, this premium Pinotage spent 16 months in oak and offers layers of red berry fruit, cinnamon, potpourri, and subtle smokiness. Bold yet polished, it is a true reflection of South African wine estates’ signature varietal and was awarded 4.5 stars in the Platter’s 2024 guide.

Wine Tasting Opportunities

The estate offers two tasting options to suit every preference at one of the finest Durbanville wineries:

• Estate Tasting: A guided tasting of Groot Phesantekraal’s core range, ideal for those new to the wines or looking to explore the estate’s signature styles.

• Reserve Tasting: A premium experience showcasing small-batch and flagship wines like the Anna de Koning and Berliet Pinotage.

Both tastings can be paired with a delicious cheese and charcuterie platter, with beautiful Durbanville vineyard views. Tastings are complimentary with a cellar-door purchase over a certain amount, making it easy to take your favourite bottles home.

Farm-to-Table Dining: A True Taste of Durbanville

After your wine tasting, the next stop is the Groot Phesantekraal Restaurant, one of the standout Durbanville wine farm restaurants, where rustic farm charm meets refined, seasonal flavours. Set within the farm’s beautifully restored original stables, the restaurant offers a welcoming space to slow down and savour hearty meals that celebrate the very best of farm-to-table dining in Durbanville.

Whether you’re popping in for a relaxed breakfast or settling in for a long, lazy lunch, the menu offers something for every appetite, and every member of the family. The dishes change with the seasons, focusing on ingredients grown, raised, or sourced right here on the farm or nearby.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few recommendations to tempt your tastebuds:

For breakfast, the Plaatkoekies are a playful, indulgent choice, topped with whipped peanut butter, grilled banana, bacon, and syrup, a sweet and salty combination that hits all the right notes. The “Ou Grote” is a true farm-style classic, loaded with Phesantekraal eggs, boerewors, thick-cut bacon, tomato smoor, mushrooms, crisp potatoes, and toast, perfect for those with a hearty appetite. Or, for something a little lighter but just as comforting, the Phesantekraal Benedict offers perfectly poached eggs with hollandaise, spinach, and chives.

When lunchtime rolls around, the Tasting of Phesantekraal Pork is a definite highlight. Succulent pork is served with braised cabbage, quince, and apple jus, a beautiful reflection of the farm’s sustainable ethos. The Carrot Risotto is another firm favourite, with creamy risotto, confit carrot, dates, crème fraîche, and Huguenot cheese coming together in a rich, comforting vegetarian dish. For seafood lovers, Norman’s Line Fish, served with mussel “daltjies,” fennel, seaweed, and a roasted fish bone velouté, offers a taste of the Cape’s coastal flavours with a refined farm-style twist.

The restaurant also caters to families, with dedicated kiddies’ options, vegetarian meals, and of course, a wine pairing experience for those looking to savour the estate’s award-winning wines alongside their meal.

The Beauty of the Farm

Beyond the food and wine, Groot Phesantekraal invites you to explore its picturesque surroundings. The farm stretches across rolling hills, vineyards, and open fields, offering sweeping Durbanville vineyard views of the Durbanville Wine Route hills and distant Table Mountain.

Cattle, sheep, and chickens roam the farm, adding to the authentic agricultural charm. Much of what you see on your plate and in your glass originates right here, from the free-range eggs at breakfast to the lamb and pork served at lunch, and the carefully nurtured grapes transformed into award-winning wines.

For kids, the open space, animals, and fresh country air provide the perfect playground, making Groot Phesantekraal one of the most family-friendly stops on the Durbanville Wine Route.

Why Groot Phesantekraal Should Be on Your Durbanville Wine Route List

With its rich history, warm hospitality, family-friendly vibe, and commitment to quality, Groot Phesantekraal perfectly captures what makes the Durbanville Wine Route so special.

Here, wine tasting is more than just a sip, it’s a chance to experience generations of farming, a love for the land, and a passion for sharing great food and wine. Whether you visit for the wines, the farm-to-table dining in Durbanville, the beautiful surroundings, or family time, you’ll leave with a full heart, a satisfied appetite, and maybe a few bottles to take home.

Don’t miss joining The Wine Herd, our exclusive wine club offering discounts, early access to limited releases, and other perks to keep you connected to the estate. If you have any questions or want to dive deeper into our wine world, visit our website. We look forward to welcoming you and letting Groot Phesantekraal share its stories and flavours with you.