SAUVIGNON BLANC territory… But they also offer a range of fine wines using different varieties, of course. Particularly in the case of Diemersdal and De Grendel, which might be associated with other estates on this wine route but is around the corner from Durbanville Hills in Panorama – and which also stands out for making some of their finest with grapes from Ceres, Elim and elsewhere. Some of the Durbanville wine producers fancy labelling their products as ‘Wine of Origin Cape Town, which must have visitors scratching their heads after taking in the wonderful view and noticing that the Mother City is quite some distance away, across the bay, with Table Mountain on the horison…

See below for the top cellars in the area and what they’re best at. All also offer a decent plate of food, and for the names of exactly which wines have the best track records, see the Classification. The producers with best track records overall? D’Aria, De Grendel, Diemersdal and Nitida. For all of the Top 100 in South Africa’s Cellar Classification, click here.

DURBANVILLE‘S TOP CELLARS

D’Aria
Strongest Suits: Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Viognier

De Grendel
Strongest Suits: Cabernet Sauvignon-led Blend, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz

Diemersdal
Strongest Suits: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon-led Blend, Malbec, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc

Durbanville Hills
Strongest Suits: Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend

Groot Phesantekraal
Strongest Suit: Sauvignon Blanc

Hillcrest
Strongest Suit: Petit Verdot-led Blend

Nitida
Strongest Suit: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend