How De Grendel (Finally) Became A Wine Farm

De Grendel was producing wine over 200 years ago, it seems. The Graaff family have discovered an article published in a newspaper in 1812 that the farm initially had 10 000 grapevines. Unfortunately, they were wiped out by a vine disease that swept through the Cape in the late 1800s. When the family bought the farm they used the fields predominantly for grazing their famous Holstein-Friesland cows.

Then, in 1999 the late Sir David Graaff, having ended his political career, returned to the farm and set about establishing viticulture on the estate. His father had been concerned that growing grapes would affect the grazing of his prizewinning Holstein stud cattle – but thankfully his son managed to convince him! Fifteen years ago vineyards were finally established on the slopes of the Tygerberg and now cover almost 100 hectares! Thanks to Sir David’s vision, the estate now produces award-winning wines and is home to a state-of-the-art cellar. But to think, it almost never happened…