Meerendal Wine Estate

Meerendal Wine Estate traces its roots to 1702, when sixty thousand vines were first planted on the Durbanville hillside. More than three centuries later, those vines have multiplied to over one hundred and fifty thousand, and the estate has become one of the oldest continuously producing wine farms in the Western Cape -- a living link between the early Cape Colony and the modern South African wine industry.

The property's winemaking heritage predates even the planting. Records indicate winery operations on the site from 1714, making Meerendal one of the oldest cellars in the country. The original cellar, built in 1943 with twenty open concrete fermentation tanks and matching storage tanks, still stands and remains in use today. But it now sits alongside modern stainless steel equipment, a working illustration of the estate's philosophy: honour the past while investing in the future.

The modern chapter began in 2004, when the Coertze family acquired the estate and committed to reviving its prestige. Family-owned and family-managed, Meerendal under the Coertzes has focused on producing exceptional cool-climate wines from its unique terroir. The estate's position on the Durbanville hills, close to the Atlantic Ocean, delivers constant maritime winds and a Mediterranean climate. The predominately clay soils, varied elevations, and multiple vineyard orientations create ideal conditions for cultivating grapes of real character.

The cellar produces a focused range of cool-climate varietals. Sauvignon Blanc offers well-balanced tropical, green, and mineral flavours. The Pinotage -- from vines that include a seventy-year-old Heritage Block -- is elegant and perfumed. A structured Red Blend and aromatic Muscat d'Alexandrie from Cape Town's oldest producing vineyard of that variety round out a portfolio that balances approachability with genuine depth.

Beyond the tasting room, Meerendal has evolved into a full destination estate. The gracious Cape Dutch homestead has been converted into a charming boutique hotel with spacious suites named after noble grape varieties, each fitted with king-sized beds, Egyptian cotton bedding, espresso machines, and either vineyard or Boland Mountain views. Garden Suites offer private patios tucked among the trees, while a self-catering Garden Cottage provides a more independent retreat.

Dining options span three distinct venues. Bossa Winelands brings a lively, unpretentious atmosphere with woodfired pizzas, dry-aged prime cuts, and craft beers alongside wine. The 1702 Heritage Kitchen celebrates tradition with Italian-influenced flavours and locally sourced ingredients. Cocoafair Chocolatier offers award-winning artisan chocolates, pastries, cheese and charcuterie platters, and a fresh deli concept.

The estate's event infrastructure is substantial: two fixed-frame marquees, an 8,000 square-metre flat lawn, parking for five thousand cars, and a historic chapel for intimate ceremonies. Meerendal has hosted major sporting events including the Absa Cape Epic, music festivals, corporate launches, and countless weddings. Conference rooms accommodate up to twenty delegates with modern AV equipment.

For the active visitor, Meerendal offers five, seven, and nine-kilometre running and hiking trails plus a mountain bike network of five, ten-and-a-half, and seventeen-point-eight-kilometre routes through the vineyards. A wine club rewards loyalty with exclusive releases, complimentary tastings, and hotel discounts. All of this sits just twenty minutes from Cape Town's CBD.