Clos Malverne Estate
This wine estate in Stellenbosch is your wine tourism destination. Here at Clos Malverne you can experience handmade wine and great food with a view, get married or have a stunning function. Spoil yourself in beautiful surroundings at the spa and stay over in luxury guestrooms right on the winefarm of Clos Malverne Estate.
Clos Malverne is truly a family affair. Besides overseeing the entire operation, Seymour and his wife Sophia, have spent enormous time and effort successfully developing international markets for their wine estate. Seymour’s daughter, Belinda Pritchard-Quickelberge, makes sure that Clos Malverne’s visitors are well looked after and pampered at the day spa, also situated on the estate. Even Seymour’s mother has a role to play, if in name only. Auret, the flagship wine of the range, is her maiden name, and Seymour’s middle name.
Our Wines
We practice a careful “handmade” style of winemaking, with minimum interference by the winemaking staff, resulting in elegant wines, which are expressive of their terroir. We are one of only a handful of wineries in the world that remain true to the traditional and time-honoured way of using a basket press. Basket pressing is one of the oldest methods of pressing grapes; the Ancient Greeks and Romans developed it, later perfected by the French, basket presses were one of the earliest styles of a mechanical press, and using a basket press means that it is extremely time consuming. The results are soft, elegant wines of great complexity.
Open fermenting cement “kuipe” is also used and their grape-skin caps are punched-down by hand. The cellar can effectively manage the crush and vinification of up to 400 tons of grapes, although the yields from the vineyards are presently producing at 350 tons per annum. Small French and American oak casks are used to mature the premium red wines.
Our Vinyards
Shrouded in the misty veils of the Devon Valley, lies the 27 hectares that is Clos Malverne’s premises. The Devon Valley microclimate is the key to the quality of the grapes grown in this serene environment. Although the valley is shallow it acts as a natural receptacle for the mists that linger around Stellenbosch in the early morning hours of summer. The valley is cooler than surrounding areas, significantly lengthening the ripening season, resulting in grapes of ideal ripeness.
Our vineyards reside on the gentle slopes of the valley to ensure the most favourable exposure to sunshine and are located on two separate properties in near vicinity of one another, each selected by degree of varietal affinity to the particular soil type. Dwars-in-die-Weg has 11 hectares under vine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. All vines are drip irrigated using water from the farm dam. Clos Malverne’s 12 hectares of vineyards, which include plantings of Pinotage, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, also makes use of drip irrigation.
Our Restaurant
The food and wine experience with a fantastic view! Since its beginning, The Restaurant at Clos Malverne has been a popular destination for food and wine enthusiasts. Now serving upmarket, comfort food and rustic, wood-fired pizzas - we are opening our arms to all. Our new affordable menu, together with our broad wine list caters for every taste since the recent extension of the ever popular Devonet range of wines. Because of the beautiful view, the outside seating area has also been expanded to ensure no more fist fights over the front row seats. Join us for an unforgettable, mouth-watering taste sensation!
Our popular Winelands destination has developed a devoted following since 2009 for its fresh, seasonal and easy, contemporary cuisine prepared by executive chef Brendan Stein and his team of expert chefs. The interior of the restaurant is stylish yet without any airs and guests can enjoy a wine tasting at the comfort of their own table prior to their lunch. If you like what you taste, we can deliver the wines straight to your doorstop via our online wine sales facility.
DeWaal Wines
Situated on Uiterwyk Estate in the cool Stellenbosch Kloof Valley, DeWaal Wines has been a De Waal family concern since 1864. The experience waiting for the visitor is authentic and understated with personal attention from hands-on management.
Owned by Lori and Pieter de Waal, this historic family legacy boasts nine generations of passionate winemakers, entirely focused on delighting their patrons by offering exceptional wines. The wines combine elegant Old World finesse and abundant New World fruit. DeWaal's mature vineyards offer grapes that produce deep, rich wines fondly recalled for their consistent quality and enjoyment.
DeWaal is renowned for the classic style of its Pinotage wines, the only indigenous South African grape variety. CT de Waal, a member of this family, was the first person to make wine from Pinotage grapes in 1941. Uiterwyk is also the home of Top of the Hill Pinotage, made from the oldest Pinotage vines in the world.
Wine Tasting
DeWaal Wines is nestled in the picturesque Stellenbosch Kloof valley. Two centuries ago, this historic 1791 Cape Dutch Homestead was the “last outpost” on the road between Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
The DeWaal wine ranges include magnificent red wines and fruit-driven, low-alcohol whites. The interesting offering here is perhaps a selection of three different Pinotages, made in different styles and at different price points. It starts at the entry-level, easy-drinking Pinotage, to the matured, more complex CT de Waal Pinotage, to the exquisite "Top of the Hill Pinotage", made from the oldest Pinotage vineyard block in the world.
Experiences
Apart from the wine tasting, wine and cheese pairing as well as the popular, monthly Top of the Hill Vineyard Walks are all part of the DeWaal experience.
Groot Constantia Estate
As an important part of World Wine Heritage Groot Constantia Estate is also a world-class international tourism destination in Cape Town, capturing the rich and diverse heritage of South Africa, to deliver a unique cultural, social and historical experience to locals and tourists alike by producing world class quality wines and offering you sensory encounters as well as special experiences. As a provincial heritage site and a living museum, we are tasked with preserving the legacy of our South African wine industry.
Situated in Cape Town's suburb Constantia and founded in 1685, our Groot Constantia Wine Estate is South Africa’s oldest wine estate which produces award-winning wines including the world famous Constantia Wyn aka Grand Constance.
Located on the aesthetic Cape Peninsula overlooking False Bay, our vineyards are tucked in the steep valley on the eastern side of Table Mountain. Enjoy a 45- to 60-minute guided tour through our modern cellar, followed by a wine tasting and audio visual screening. We also have restaurants on the premises to tantalize your taste buds.
Groot Constantia Museum
The Dutch East India Company nominated Simon van der Stel to manage the Cape of Good Hope in 1679, according to history. He requested land from the Company after years of devoted service. He dispatched riders to gather soil samples on a regular basis in order to conduct research. He fell in love with the soil in 1685 and chose 891 morgen (about 763 ha) behind Table Mountain for its wine-growing potential and breathtaking landscape. Over the years the wines produced on the estate caught the attention of influential people across the globe - due to its impressive quality.
Groot Constantia’s rich history shows how one man’s love of wine established South Africa’s first wine farm more than 330 years ago and how those 891 morgen of land formed the origins of the commercial South African wine industry, with Emperors and Kings such as Frederick the Great of Prussia and Louis Phillipe (King of the French) buying ‘Constantia Wyn’ at auctions across Europe.
South Africa’s oldest wine became so celebrated globally, that it appears in Jane Austen’s novel "Sense and Sensibility" as a cure for a broken heart to be drunk to lift a character’s spirit as in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Charles Dickens.
The Museum
Its Orientation Centre in the Jonkershuis complex uses panel, object and archaeological displays to give an overview of Groot Constantia from the past to present, including slavery on the estate.
Carriages are on display in the Coach House and in the historical wine cellar, while the Wine Museum exhibits wine storage and drinking vessels from antiquity to the early 20th century.
The Homestead, with its exhibition of furniture, paintings, textiles, ceramics, brass and copperware, provides an insight into the life of a successful 18th to late 19th century Cape farmer.
Indigo Safaris
Indigo Safaris offers a wide range of day trips, tours and activities in and around Cape Town as well as in the Cape. Wineland tours, city tours, Cape Point Nature Reserve, snorkelling with seals, shark cage diving and scuba diving as well as longer Garden Route trips and transfers.
With our local staff, we can also book for you a range of hand-picked accommodation options.
About Cape Town
On the tip of the African continent, Cape Town is undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful cities. Sandwiched between the imposing Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, this stunning city not only offers many sights but also a myriad of outdoor activities for nature lovers.
It is South Africa's oldest city, which means there is also a fair bit to see and do for history buffs. With so much on offer for travellers, it is possible to stay here for a week or more without getting bored, and we usually recommend a minimum stay of three nights.
Everywhere you go in Cape Town are more views and sights to be enjoyed, which all adds up to many accommodation options, depending on your taste and budget and ranging from hotels to bed and breakfasts. With so much to see and do in Cape Town, we are sure that you want to ensure you manage to make the most of your time and get the best value for money.
The Restaurant at Clos Malverne
Situated in Stellenbosch, The Restaurant at Clos Malverne wine estate is THE food and wine experience with a fantastic view! Enjoy handmade wine and an unforgettable, mouth-watering taste sensation with panoramic views, get married or have a stunning function. Stay over in luxury guestrooms right on the winefarm and spoil yourself in beautiful surroundings at the spa.
Our Cuisine
Since its beginning, The Restaurant at Clos Malverne has been a popular destination for food and wine enthusiasts. Now serving upmarket, comfort food and rustic, wood-fired pizzas - we are opening our arms to all. Our new affordable menu, together with our broad wine list caters for every taste since the recent extension of the ever popular Devonet range of wines. Because of the beautiful view, the outside seating area has also been expanded to ensure no more fist fights over the front row seats.
Our popular Winelands destination has developed a devoted following since 2009 for its fresh, seasonal and easy, contemporary cuisine prepared by executive chef Brendan Stein and his team of expert chefs. The interior of the restaurant is stylish yet without any airs and guests can enjoy a wine tasting at the comfort of their own table prior to their lunch. If you like what you taste, we can deliver the wines straight to your doorstop via our online wine sales facility.
Signature Pairings
As our slogan states, “The Food & Wine Experience“, we’re all about exciting food and wine combinations. Living up to this notion, we were the first wine estate in Stellenbosch offering a unique tasting experience in the form of our “Ice cream & Wine Pairing”. It has since become one of our signature pairings with seasonal, hand-made delicacies. Join us for our unique, signature Ice Cream Pairings (only available from Wednesday to Saturday) or for our four course Food and Wine Pairing. Please note that telephonic booking is essential for both.
Meet the Chef
Brendan Stein is the executive chef at The Restaurant at Clos Malverne. He was hand selected and having been a chef for over 16 years, he developed his own unique style and approach to food through gathering experience from diverse cooking styles as well as locations both locally and internationally. Brandan describes his own style of cooking as not overly complicated: “I don’t follow any specific rules or cuisines, but rather just combine what I feel works well together. I am influenced by flavours that appeal to me, wherever they may come from, and I play and combine them until they create a harmonious dish visually, in taste and in texture. You will find flavours from around the world on my menus.”
Functions & Events
The right ingredients - Whether you want to host a cozy birthday soirée with deluxe canapés, realize your fairy tale wedding, impress the boss or celebrate your graduation with friends, we have all the right ingredients to make your special celebration with family and friends or business acquaintances a memorable one. This includes the perfect Winelands setting with awe-inspiring Devon Valley views from our wraparound balcony blended with quality wines, sumptuous cuisine with an earthy sophistication, and a homely ambience.
The Restaurant at Clos Malverne Wine Estate is a magnificently appointed dining hotspot in the heart of the Cape Winelands as well as a stylish extension of the Pritchard family’s hospitality, welcoming intimate private affairs at the restaurant. Open daily for lunch, apart from Mondays, this gourmet destination can be booked as an exclusive venue for up to 80 guests, day or night. A minimum of 40 guests are required to secure this increasingly popular culinary hotspot for a special function during the evenings.
Under Oaks Wines
Situated in the picturesque Cape Winelands, our established wine estate Under Oaks is family-owned and just a couple of kilometres away from the city centre of Paarl. Our working wine farm is steeped deep in South African history dating back to 1695, with a historic cellar that has been renovated in 2014.
We offer a friendly and contemporary style tasting room where you will have the opportunity to taste our range of boutique wines. Our staff service is excellent and those presenting a tasting to you will always ensure they share valuable information and facts. We continually strive to provide our guests with new and interesting experiences to tingle the taste buds to both complement and challenge our wines. Please contact us to enquire about current wine pairings and wine tastings.
Under Oaks exports wine to several European countries where we have dedicated agents who stock our product and will be able to assist with internet based sales.
Our Winemaker
It all began one day in 2001 when the two friends, Hans and Bertus, came together to chat and share stories about farming, winemaking and the like. On this day, Hans asked Bertus if he would be keen to make a little wine for him. They went along and picked the grapes and Bertus then made the first wine, a hearty Cabernet Sauvignon. Theresa was casually informed about this little adventure of theirs. One day Hans walked through the door, presented her with this beautiful grape nectar and asked if she wouldn’t mind taking on the marketing and sales thereof. So that’s where it started.
It wasn’t a plan - it simply evolved from two friends playing around with their love of wine!
Bertus, the gentle giant winemaker, has a long history of winemaking and a stellar reputation in the industry. He is a passionate man and loves nothing more than to explore the endless possibilities in winemaking. “The human dimension of the wine industry is definitely one of the aspects that I love. I meet wonderful people, make wonderful friends and enjoy loads of laughs whenever I present a wine tasting or have a wine chat, which is probably 80% of the time. Making wine, selling wine, enjoying wine is all about quality relationships”. Bertus Fourie
Bertus is assisted by farm manager and cellar assistant Gert Pietersen nicknamed “Toffie”. He has been involved with the Britz family from the tender age of 16 where as a little school boy he would spend time observing and learning everything he possibly could from any of the senior farm men. With his calm temperament, leadership capabilities and keen eye for everything agricultural Toffie soon climbed the ranks and today manages the entire Under Oaks farm.
Our Facilities
And there is more. You can even stay at Under Oaks in our luxurious country house accommodation with a pool and marvelous panoramic views as well as indulge your taste buds further in our on-site pizzeria.
Vine Hopper
The original Hop on Hop off service in Stellenbosch since 2003. We operate three routes in the Cape wine region. Each of our tours stops at up to six different wine estates.
Our Tours
On our hop on hop off wine tour route you can decide which of the farms you want to visit and how long you want to stay.
The Southern Tour operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays as well as Saturdays and Sundays and captures the differences between the wine estates in Stellenbosch which boast many international award winning wines.
The Northern Route wine tour Stellenbosch has spectacular views of the Winelands where you can see all the way to Table Mountain in the distance and operates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Enjoy the splendour of South Africa's Western Cape province while sipping award winning wines.
The Eastern Route wine tour in Stellenbosch operates every day Monday to Friday and showcases some of the best wines and views Stellenbosch has to offer. Experience the splendour of the Helshoogte pass and it’s wine farms on this tour.
Some of the highlights of our Southern Route include great wines at a famous wine estate.
A variety of different wine tasting pairings and restaurants are also available. Enjoy a red wine and port tasting with views all the way to Table Mountain or end your great day in the Cape Winelands with a delicious wine tasting overlooking the Stellenbosch Mountain.
Our Dine & Vine Tour lets you walk and taste your way through historic Stellenbosch before visiting two wine estates.
On our private wine tours we help you experience the greater winelands area with a knowledgeable private wine guide, including wine tasting on 4 wine estates.
We offer you with our 4x4 Wine Experience a private wine tour in an off-road vehicle to off the beaten path scenes. Alternatively discover our beautiful region by bicycle or mountain bike and with the team of our Adventureshop.
About Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is one of the most beautiful towns in South Africa and is home to some of the best wines in the world! The town is known for its Cape Dutch Architecture and has the best preserved historic center in South Africa. The Oak lined streets of Stellenbosch are also home to the prestigious University of Stellenbosch. The Stellenbosch Winelands are in close proximity to Cape Town (40 minutes drive by car) and a South African attraction.
The wine estates in Stellenbosch range from big farms with, high tech cellars, through multi-functional farms and historical manors to small, more intimate wine estates that lend themselves to relax and enjoy nature as well as the fruits of the vine! Most of these farms lie in the many valleys and hills of the Stellenbosch wine area and boast with magical views of the Cape winelands.
