Meerendal

Vissershok Road
Durbanville

Meerendal in Durbanville, just 20 kilometres from Cape Town, dates back to 1702 when the farm was granted to Jan Meerland by Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel. By 1712, Meerland’s widow, Christina Stans had 60, 000 vines growing on the farm. When the Starke family bought the farm in 1929, only a small vineyard existed. However it displayed Meerendal’s potential as a wine farm and consequently, some of the wheat fields were replaced by vineyards in the early thirties. In his book on Estate Wines of South Africa, Graham Knox refers to the first block of Shiraz planted by the Starke Family in 1932. The first Meerendal Shiraz and Pinotage were bottled in 1969. Meerendal is proud to treasure one of the oldest vineyards of Pinotage bush vines in South Africa that were planted in 1955 and produces a limited number of bottles from this Heritage Block.

A South African businessman bought Meerendal in February 2004 from the Starke’s and his vision is to develop the farm into one of the top wine estates and food destinations in South Africa. The unique location and terroir of Meerendal, situated on the cool southeasterly slopes of the Tygerberg Hills, a mere fifteen kilometers from the cold Atlantic Ocean to the west is ideal for the variety of noble cultivars that have been planted here: Shiraz, Pinotage, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The high quality of grapes produced, together with modern cellar techniques, ensures fine Meerendal Estate wines of excellent quality.

Cellarmaster Liza Goodwin has been making wine at Meerendal since 1998. Meerendal has scooped up many top wine awards over the past five years and is exporting its quality wine to more than 12 countries.

Conference and functions: The estate is well-known for its classy function venue, the Barn and Lawn, that is a popular venue for weddings and many kinds of functions. There is also a quaint little chapel. The Loft is a modern and well-equipped conference venue. 

Farmers Market at Meerendal