Nestled in the valleys and mountain slopes are some of the most beautiful wineries in the Western Cape. A short drive in any direction will take you through gorgeous vineyards and imposing mountains.
Situated at the foot of the scenic Stellenbosch Mountains is Dornier Wine Estate. Is is also home to Dornier Bodega Restaurant.
The wine estate is named after the German artist Christoph Dornier; he was the youngest son of aircraft designer Claude Dornier. Art was his first love and became a recognised artist.
One of the attractions at Dornier architecture displayed: An 18th Century old barn, a Late Nineteenth Century Homestead and a Twenty First Century winery. Christoph Dornier fell in love with this farm due to the natural beauty and this farm charmed him with its heritage.
He had a life-long passion for architecture and the landmark Dornier wine cellar is his legacy in this field. The winery is both a sculpture and a functional production facility. The shape and materials blend well into the surroundings. Closed on one side, the building is completely open with windows to the mountain side, allowing guests to enjoy the wonderful views on the Stellenbosch Mountain.
Dornier’s logo was also designed by Christoph Dornier, based on his iconic painting of Leda and the swan. The seduction of Leda by Zeus in disguise as a swan is symbolised by the head with the two beaks on the logo.
Dornier Wines consists of the following ranges:
Dornier Donatus range are the flagship red and white blends. Both the red and the white wines are fermented and aged in separate batches and skillfully blended after a long ageing process. The wines offer complexity, elegance, perfect balance and freshness.
The Dornier range is single variety wines. They are characterised by clean fruitiness, concentration and perfect balance.
The Dornier Cocoa Hill range offers lively fruit, uncompromised pleasure, and great value for money.
“In a time of seafaring and spice, pirates played in Table Bay…
Among them was Long Ben – as fierce as he was tall, he looted and pillaged and scavenged from all.
Ben fast became known for being up to no good,
and so fled from the seas and gave up his loot.
He planted some vines, as was the way,
and peered out towards the ocean almost every day.
Long Ben would have gazed longingly at the vista of Table Bay from where our vines grow today, on Cocoa Hill.”
COCOA HILL TEMPRANILLO ROSÉ 2020
A beautiful rosé gold colour bursting with aromas of strawberries and rose petals. This rosé is made with Tempranillo making it fresh, dry and vibrant.
The palate is vibrant with a bright acidity and flavours of sweet red berries. It’s like having strawberries and cream in a bowl. The Cocoa Hill Rose is juicy and dry with a pleasantly long finish. It is produced from grapes grown in the decomposed red granite soil of the Cocoa Hills.
COCOA HILL CHENIN BLANC 2020
It’s fresh and a fruit driven wine and so versatile. The wine has a lively bright colour with aromas of citrus blossoms and white fruit like nectarines.
The palate is vibrant with a soft acidity and flavours of white peach and pear, leaving one with an intense aftertaste.
This wine is made with grapes from two Chenin Blanc vineyards on the Dornier farm. Each batch was individually fermented in stainless steel.
DORNIER BUSH VINE CHENIN BLANC 2018
The nose shows intense stone fruit and white pear, with hints of zesty citrus and perfume. The palate is rich and dense, with concentrated flavours of pineapple, green melon and honey. The palate is fresh yet full, with a long, intense finish.
The Chenin Blanc is sourced from old bush vine vineyards located in the Swartland. The soil consists of decomposed granite with a sandy composure. The vines are dry-farmed and yield intensely rich, perfumed fruit. A portion of the juice was fermented in French oak barrels and a portion in stainless steel tanks.
DORNIER SEMILLON 2019
The nose is bursting with flavours of lemon rind, fresh hay, caramelised apple and honey. The palate is rich in flavours of quince, lemon meringue and brioche, with a luscious full texture backed by a well-balanced acidity and lingering aftertaste.
The grapes are from a single site on the Dornier property. Fermented in new- and second fill French oak barrels and aged on the lees for ten months giving the wine a rich and creamy texture.
DORNIER DONATUS WHITE 2016
It’s a blend of Chenin Blanc and Sémillon. The nose is bursting with aromas of white flowers, crisp pears and stone fruit. The palate is elegant and delicate, with flavours of grapefruit, minerals, peaches and honey.
The wine has a terrific mouth-feel and a fine minerality on the finish. There is a lovely underlying freshness to this wine.
DORNIER MERLOT 2018
This wine has aromas of cherry, dark berries and hints of fynbos with a bright ruby-red colour. The palate shows freshness, concentration and balance, with flavours of ripe black cherries, plums and black current.
The grapes were fermented in open stainless steel tanks with pump-overs performed regularly. The wine spent 12 months ageing in French oak barrels before bottling.
DORNIER EQUANIMITY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017
The Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 has an intense black cherry colour. Fruit-forward and concentrated fruit, has great structure and the ability to age well.
The aroma is a full bouquet of blackberries, cigar box, pencil shavings with subtle oak and a hint of mint. It has a dense palate with concentrated flavours of dark fruits with elegant tannins to create a well-balanced wine with a long finish.
DORNIER DONATUS RED 2016
It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc from 4 unique vineyards on the slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain.
This nose is bursting with flavours of blackcurrant and liquorice. The palate is refined and elegant with silky tannins. On the pallate flavours of blackberry and cassis are abundant, with hints of dark cherry and a touch of cedar. Gentle dry tannins and an appealing minerality are found in the long aftertaste of this wine.
With its curved roof and the use of face brick and reflecting materials, the building blends creatively into the dramatic scenery of Stellenbosch Mountain. The style of the winery is a visual translation of their wines – elegant, clear yet complex and unique. Definitely worth the visit.
Categories: Dornier Wines
