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.
Pendennis Farm
Only about 100 kilometers from Cape Town close to the village Villiersdorp in the breathtaking beautiful valley Bossieveld lies Pendennis Farm. It was established in 1875 and the Cape Dutch farmhouse was built shortly afterwards. The name Pendennis is unique for this part of the world, as it’s the only English farm name you will find in the area. The reason for this being that the title deed was granted during the British governance of the Cape in 1855. It is a reference to Pendennis Castle in Cornwall - a fort from the 16th century to defend the coast.
Today on 42 hectares grapes (Pinotage, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon), apples and olives are grown. Sheep, cows, ostriches, and horses spend their days happily grazing in a picturesque setting.
Accommodation at Pendennis
The Pink Lady is a charming old farmhouse that has been restored to its former glory. The house has 4 beautiful bedrooms with two large bathrooms to share. It can accommodate up to 12 people comfortably and has a sunny day lounge in the back to relax in. This holiday house has long passages, high ceilings, and a spacious open plan lounge and kitchen. The surrounding space has a wrap-around garden with a braai (barbecue) area and a small fire pit. Free Wi-Fi is available as well.
Another accommodation option at the Pendennis farm premises is a charming Lemon Cottage. It offers a comfortable stay for 4 guests. The newly renovated cottage consists of a small kitchen, two bedrooms and an open plan dining-lounge area. This cottage is fenced, has a cute garden and also offers free Wi-Fi.
The Lavender Cottage is the oldest building in the valley. This historic cottage has a lovely bathroom with a bath and shower. The equipped kitchen leads to a comfy living room area. The bedroom is spacious with plenty of light and stunning views. The newly renovated cottage offers a comfortable stay for 2 people and has a fully fenced garden as well as free Wi-Fi.
Teepee Village is formed currently by two fun, "glamping" style tents where you find everything for your comfort. Watch the stars and the Milky Way while getting cozy around the fireplace provided. Showers and toilets are available just nearby. This is a summer type of accommodation which you need to remember when planning your stay at Pendennis.
Dasbos Barn
A historic blacksmith barn from 1903, “Dasbos Barn” has been renovated and is today a perfect setting for any event like birthday parties, company functions and weddings. There is seating for 65 guests and the Pendennis team can provide anything you need to make your event special.
The stunning venue has its own ceremony and reception area, outside bar, restrooms, spacious and fully kitted kitchen for preparing or warming food, and a scullery in the back.
Dasbos Barn is a perfect venue for weddings, conferences, banquets, events, workshops and team building activities.
