The vineyards may be resting, but there’s plenty happening at Durbanville Hills this winter. Discover the latest from our cellar, meet the team behind the wines, and join us for a season of memorable experiences, from exclusive tastings and blending sessions to dining, music and more.
From the cellar: winter's quiet work
While winter blankets the Durbanville Hills vineyards, the winery is already preparing for the seasons ahead. With harvest complete, cellarmaster Pieter-Niel Rossouw and the winemaking team are carefully guiding the 2026 vintage through its next stage, monitoring maturation, tasting regularly and preparing future blends that reflect the elegance and cool-climate character of Durbanville Hills.
In the vineyards, winter marks an important period of renewal, with new blocks being established and existing vines pruned in preparation for the 2027 growing season. Behind the scenes, the team is also focused on cellar maintenance, skills development and projects that support quality, sustainability and innovation.
As spring approaches, the winemaking team will be sharing more of the stories behind the wines at events and festivals, in restaurants, wine shops and of course, the Durbanville Hills tasting room.
“Our wines are shaped not only by our cool-climate terroir, but by the people who care for them every step of the way,” says Pieter-Niel. “We're excited to continue sharing the story of the 2026 vintage as it develops, and we look forward to welcoming you to Durbanville Hills soon.”
Meet our winemakers at Taste of Terroir 2026
Spend a memorable winter evening with the Durbanville Hills winemaking team at Taste of Terroir 2026 on Friday, 31 July, as the Durbanville Wine Valley's top producers come together to celebrate the region's exceptional cool-climate red wines. Hosted at the beautiful Loch Lynne Wine Estate from 17:00 to 20:00, this relaxed event offers the opportunity to meet the winemakers behind your favourite wines while enjoying unlimited tastings of premium reds from across the valley. With roaring fireplaces, live music and three seasonal canapés by Kos Kouture included, it's the perfect way to explore the diversity and character of Durbanville's celebrated terroir. Tickets are R300 per person.
Click HERE to book.
Unfiltered Thursdaze
Join us on 30 July and 27 August for Unfiltered Thursdaze, our relaxed after-hours wine experience where guests get to taste wines still in the making. Enjoy barrel tastings, tank samples and experimental blends alongside curated deep house music, delicious paired bites and conversations with our winemaking team. Whether you're taking on the interactive Guess the Barrel challenge, enjoying pizza and wine beneath the olive trees, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, it's an evening that celebrates wine in its most authentic form. Tickets are R150 per person and are limited. No walk-ins. Strictly no under-18s.
Click HERE to book.
Blend your own signature red
Discover the art of blending at our exclusive Winter Wine Blending Experience on Wednesday, 19 August at 18h00. The evening begins with a glass of sparkling wine before you head into the cellar for a behind-the-scenes tour and the rare opportunity to taste wines straight from the barrel. Guided by our winemaking team, you'll then create, bottle and take home your very own signature red blend. Afterwards, unwind at The Tangram restaurant with a two-course dinner perfectly paired with Durbanville Hills wines.
Tickets are R595 per person. No walk-ins. Strictly no under-18s
Click HERE to buy tickets.
Metro Merlot
Welcome the first signs of spring with Metro Merlot on Wednesday, 9 September at 18:00, an evening celebrating one of the world's most beloved red wine varieties. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Durbanville Hills and Cape Town's sunset skyline, this one-night-only experience combines exceptional wine, perfectly paired canapés, live DJ entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy a guided tasting of four distinctive Durbanville Hills Merlot wines, each matched with a carefully crafted canapé that highlights the wine's unique character and style. Whether you're a long-time Merlot lover or simply looking for a memorable night out, Metro Merlot promises the perfect way to welcome the new season. Tickets are R350 per person. No walk-ins. Strictly no under-18s.
Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Warm up your Wednesdays at The Tangram
Turn the middle of the week into something worth celebrating with The Tangram's Winter Wednesday Dinner Special, available until the end of August. For just R395, enjoy any two main courses from chef Tamzyn Ehlers' seasonal menu, accompanied by two glasses of wine from the Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve range.
Framed by sweeping vineyard views, the menu celebrates comforting winter flavours with a refined local touch. Choose from dishes such as bobotie-spiced chicken supreme, slow-cooked pork belly and Chalmar beef fillet with coffee jus, alongside thoughtfully prepared vegetarian and vegan options. Round off your meal with one of Tangram's indulgent desserts and settle in for a relaxed midweek dining experience in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Durbanville Hills.
Click HERE to reserve your seat.
Hot chocolate and wine – yes, it’s a thing!
There's no better way to embrace the colder months than with Durbanville Hills' much-loved Hot Chocolate & Wine Tasting. This playful winter experience pairs four Durbanville Hills red wines with four handcrafted chocolate bombs that melt into steaming hot milk, revealing layers of rich, comforting flavour. Discover Cabernet Sauvignon with coffee and hazelnut, Merlot with dark chocolate, mint and raspberry, Pinotage with dark chocolate, cherry and Turkish delight, and Shiraz with cinnamon and nutmeg. For an extra twist, add a splash of wine to your hot chocolate and experiment with the perfect balance of velvety richness and warming spice.
At R240 per person, the tasting includes four wines, four chocolate bombs and hot milk, making it the perfect excuse to gather friends or treat yourself to a memorable winter escape. Available until 31 August 2026.
Click HERE to book now.
Our female winemakers rule the roost this Women’s Month
This Women’s Month (August), we’re raising a glass to the talented women shaping the wines of Durbanville Hills. Red winemaker Tammy Claasen and assistant winemaker Janeke Schroeder bring passion, expertise and fresh perspectives to every vintage… and they have the perfect winter wine recommendations. Tammy’s pick is the award-winning Collectors Reserve Pinotage 2024, recently named among the Top 10 in the 2026 Winemag.co.za Prescient Pinotage Report. “I love how versatile it is, with plush fruit, silky tannins and a warming character that makes it the perfect companion for a cosy winter evening.” Janeke recommends the Collectors Reserve High Noon Shiraz 2024, highlighting its elegant cool-climate fruit, subtle peppery notes and balanced character.
Discover these wines and enjoy 15% off during August – the perfect opportunity to celebrate the women behind the bottle.
Click HERE to shop now.
Gold and nine silver medals at IWSC!
Our Collectors Reserve The Castle of Good Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 has won a gold medal at the prestigious London-based 2026 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC)! That’s in addition to nine silver medals awarded across our multi-tiered range of wines.
Click HERE for the details.