The Durbanville Wine Valley enters the summer season fresh off one of its most decorated years to date. With prestigious awards, milestone anniversaries and standout collaborative projects, the region has firmly reinforced its reputation as one of South Africa’s most dynamic cool-climate wine destinations.
A Year Marked by Major Milestones
This year saw Durbanville celebrate several significant markers of its rich heritage. Among the most notable was the release of The Durbanville Pinotage 2024, a special collaborative wine created jointly by the region’s winemakers. Bottled exclusively in magnums, the wine pays tribute to multiple anniversaries: Durbanville’s 200-year history, the 100th anniversary of Pinotage, and the centenary of Afrikaans as an official language. A small allocation remains available for purchase, making it one of the valley’s most sought-after collector releases.
The valley also stood proudly on the international stage as one of the select regions showcased at Cape Wine, South Africa’s premier global wine exhibition. Durbanville producers hosted two immersive events for visiting trade representatives: a Sauvignon Blanc and ocean-foraging experience exploring the influence of Atlantic breezes on the region’s signature white wine, and a Flames & Reds heritage evening, which opened with a ceremonial cannon firing and highlighted Durbanville’s cool-climate red varietals.
Winemakers and Industry Leaders Shine
Alongside winemaking achievements, two of the valley’s leaders earned top honours at the Durbanville Sakekamer year-end awards.
Thys Louw of Diemersdal was named Businessman of the Year 2025.
Karin de Villiers of Klein Roosboom was named Businesswoman of the Year 2025.
Their awards acknowledge not only individual excellence but also the role Durbanville’s wine estates play in strengthening the broader tourism and hospitality landscape.
Top Performers in National and International Wine Competitions
Durbanville’s producers delivered exceptional results across major competitions this year.
Diemersdal led the charge, being named Platter’s Top Performing Winery of the Year with six five-star ratings. Additional achievements included the Burgoyne Trophy for SA Championship Shiraz and placements in the Top 12 Shiraz at the Shiraz SA Challenge.
Durbanville Hills celebrated multiple accolades, among them two five-star ratings in the Platter’s 2026 guide—a first for the estate. Its Tangram White Blend 2023 also achieved an impressive 96 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards, placing it among the world’s top Sauvignon Blanc-based wines.
Smaller producers also made their mark. Mellish Family Vineyards received a Platter’s five-star rating for its Bakenkop Blanc Fumé 2022, affirming the valley’s depth of quality.
De Grendel enjoyed a standout year with three places in the Top 12 Shiraz, multiple Platinum awards at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirit Awards, and a Top 10 White Wine ranking for its Op die Berg Chardonnay 2024.
Groot Phesantekraal, Meerendal, Nitida, D’Aria, and Maastricht rounded out the valley’s honours with trophy wins, Double Gold medals, and Top 10 placements across several respected competitions.
A Year That Strengthens Durbanville’s Legacy
Collectively, these achievements highlight Durbanville’s unwavering commitment to producing world-class cool-climate wines. As the region steps into the festive season, its heritage, innovation and spirit of collaboration continue to shape its celebrated identity—inviting wine lovers to explore, taste and experience all that the valley has to offer.
