Guests were greeted beneath the glow of courtyard lanterns with a glass of sangria – a luminous blend of Durbanville Hills Merlot, brandy and citrus. Balanced yet bold, it quickly emerged as the night’s signature indulgence, so well received that the cellar is now considering giving it a permanent place on the menu.
From there, the evening unfolded into a journey through five distinct expressions of Merlot, each paired with a dish crafted to accentuate its character: rosé with smoked salmon tacos; a brie-topped chicken slider alongside the estate’s classic Merlot; smoky pulled-pork crostini with the Collectors Reserve; mushroom empanadas with the Tangram blend; and, finally, miso-glazed aubergine with a 10-year-old Merlot Potstill Brandy – rounded off with handcrafted Merlot-infused ice cream.
Speaking at the event, winemaker Tamsyn Claasen (Jeftha) shared an insightful reflection: “Merlot is often characterised as the 'feminine variety' of wine. To me, it’s more of a tomboy variety – resilient, versatile, often underestimated, yet capable of extraordinary expression.”
Claasen, one of South Africa’s pioneering women winemakers, joined Durbanville Hills after almost a decade in the industry, inspired by her father’s advice to choose a career where she could be part of the full value chain. Today, she leads the cellar’s experimental projects and Merlot portfolio, building on the legacy of former red winemaker Wilhelm Coetzee, whose passion and palate helped shape the wines celebrated on the night.
Durbanville Hills is celebrated as South Africa’s biggest boutique winery – large enough to produce wines at scale, yet intimate in ethos and approach. Its story is as much about people as it is about place. Founded by a syndicate of local growers, the winery remains partly farmer-owned, with farmworkers holding a meaningful shareholding. Together with majority ownership by Heineken Beverages, this model makes Durbanville Hills a cellar rooted in both community and distinction.
Their unique terroir – cool Atlantic breezes, late afternoon mists, and slow-ripening vineyards – gives their Merlot a signature poise and harmony that has become the estate’s hallmark.
“Evenings like Metro Merlot remind us that wine is never just what’s in the glass,” Claasen adds. “It’s about people, stories, and the artistry that connects them.”
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