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Durbanville Wine Valley invites wine lovers to raise a glass to Harvest 2026 at its much-anticipated Tasting Under the Stars on Thursday, March 12. As vineyards hum with the energy of harvest and cellars fill with the scent of fermenting grapes, participating wineries across the valley will extend their trading hours to around 21:00, hosting individual experiences that celebrate the season’s abundance.
Located 20 minutes from Cape Town, Durbanville’s cool-climate vineyards are at their most atmospheric in March. Long golden evenings and the promise of autumn create the perfect backdrop for upcoming events featuring wine, food and music. Rather than a single central festival, Tasting Under the Stars sees each participating cellar curate its own harvest-inspired event, as part of several events taking place marking end of harvest in the region.
Bookings for Tasting Under the Stars must be made directly with each participating winery. Full details of all experiences are available on the Durbanville Wine Valley’s website, www.durbanvillewine.co.za, where guests can easily browse the programme and access booking links for each event.
Participating cellars with Tasting Under the Stars
Canto (extended hours from 11:00) – Kick off the day with Pizza & Wine at Canto for R180 per person. The experience includes four wine tastings paired with four canapé-style pizzas. Canto also offers large lawns and spectacular views – a firm favourite with families and little ones. Book via https://www.dineplan.com/restaurants/canto-wines; info@cantowines.co.za or (021) 492 2821.
D’Aria (full-day offering from 10:00) – With free entry, D’Aria offers a welcome that’s complemented by special cheese and meat platters alongside fantastic wine tastings. The tasting room is a perennial favourite with families, thanks to its gardens, play area and wide open lawns – perfect for little ones to roam and play freely. No booking required.
De Grendel (17:00 for 17:30) – An elegant evening of tapas and wine awaits at De Grendel for R530 per person. The experience includes two savoury dishes and one dessert, each paired with the estate’s wines. Book via https://account.dineplan.com/widgetframe/fPqzD3xM.
Diemersdal (from 18:00) – Expect an open-air, Mediterranean-inspired evening featuring paella served with a glass of wine and live music for R300 per person. It’s the place to be to enjoy a laid-back evening with great vibes at one of South Africa’s most awarded producers. Book via: https://diemersdal.co.za/shop/
Durbanville Hills (from 18:00) – This popular cellar hosts an evening of tapas and wine for R300 per person. Guests can look forward to five dishes paired with wine, as well as a barrel tasting that offers insight into wines still in maturation. Go behind the scenes and taste the future of this cellar before anyone else. This is a rare chance to geek out with winemakers in a relaxed, social setting. Book via https://www.dineplan.com/restaurants/durbanville-hills-tasting-room-and-olive-grove-bistro
Groot Phesantekraal (18:00 for 18:30) – For R200 per person, guests can enjoy tastings of wine in barrel and tank, along with older vintages – a rare opportunity to explore wines at different stages of their journey from grape to glass. Titled “A Harvest Journey”, the experience allows you to witness the secrets of the cellar in comparing the raw energy of young wines against the refined elegance of the farm’s library collection. This is a must-visit for those who want a deeper connection to the craft. Book via restaurant@phesantekraal.co.za
Hillcrest Wines (from 18:00) – With free entry, Hillcrest invites guests to enjoy special harvest tastings and platters. Excellent wines and olives, paired with veranda views over the surrounding vineyards, make it the ideal place to spend a few relaxed hours with friends. Bookings and information via cellardoor@hillcrestfarm.co.za.
Klein Roosboom (from 18:00) – Join in on the ‘Cellarbration’ at Klein Roosboom, complete with grape stomping – a classic harvest experience. For R200 per person, guests can enjoy a glass of Marne Brut Cap Classique along with three ‘borrelhapjes’ small plates, served in The Shed. Each plate is a culinary discovery designed to highlight the unique character of the farm’s boutique wines. Book via https://kleinroosboom.co.za/shop/
Maastricht Wines (from 17:00) – Maastricht is known widely for its wine, particularly its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage. It’s also a beloved destination for locals. For Tasting Under The Stars, visitors can enjoy a bottle of wine and bitterballen for R200, accompanied by live music from 10:00. No booking required; first come, first served.
Meerendal (extended hours from 10:00) – Choose between a tasting of red and white wines at R160 per person or opt for the collection wines at R230 per person – with both tastings including three artisanal treats. Enjoy a sense of the classic harvest season thanks to Meerendal’s historic setting. Book via www.meerendal.co.za/explore-meerendal/meerendal-tasting-room/
Nitida (full-day offering from 09:30) – Celebrate harvest at Nitida with a full-day experience from 09:30. Taste Nitida’s Classical wines for R200 per person, including a take-home bottle of Nitida Sauvignon Blanc. While there, don’t miss a wine tradition dating back almost 500 years – Nitida’s new Buchetta del Vino wine window. Inspired by the small wine windows of Florence, first introduced in the 1600s as a safe way to sell wine during times of plague, this charming feature adds a unique touch to the tasting experience. Book via shelley@nitida.co.za
Close to Cape Town, featuring diverse experiences, Durbanville Wine Valley offers wine lovers a compelling way to experience harvest first-hand. Tasting Under the Stars captures that spirit, presenting an opportunity to taste wines at their source and celebrate the moment when a year’s work in the vineyard comes to fruition.
For programme details and booking information, visit the Durbanville Wine Valley ’s website www.durbanvillewine.co.za or follow @durbanvillewine on Twitter and Facebook, Instagram.