There is nothing like wine tasting in Cape Town and is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience what the Cape Winelands has to offer. It’s no secret that the Western Cape boasts some of the most beautiful wine estates and vineyards. And of course some of the most amazing award-winning wines.
Just a short distance from Cape Town and on the outskirts of Durbanville, will bring you to a laid-back haven. Groot Phesantekraal greets you with green lawns and well-manured gardens.
The history of Groot Phesantekraal started in 1698 when the land was given to its first owner, Captain Olof Bergh, by Governer Simon van der Stel. Olof Bergh married Anna De Konning, the daughter of Einsela from Bengal, one of the first freed slaves in the Cape. Anna, being very beautiful and intelligent soon became a distinguished member amongst the elite of the Cape of Good Hope.
By 1756, 40,000 vines had already been established. In 1759 the property was sold to the Louw family and later purchased by Arend Brink in 1897.
Before purchasing the farm, Arend Brink left the Cape with his oldest brother to start a transport business between Kimberley and Johannesburg.
The farm, which has long been known in the Tygerberg region as a successful cattle, sheep, and grain production operation, was developed further when the present fourth-generation owner, André Brink replaced the older vineyards with 50ha of trellised vines. In 2005 the Phizante Kraal brand was launched when the first Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz was bottled.
WINE TASTING
Adjacent to the restaurant is the renovated tasting toom with a fresh new look and modern touches. You can opt between their Estate or Reserve Tasting and enjoy it with a delicious Cheese and Charcuterie Platter.
ESTATE TASTING
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Fermented in stainless steel tanks only, this is perfect for summer. Notes of guava and mango are dominant on the nose. The acidity is beautifully integrated with a rich and juicy mouthfeel, with the typical varietal flavours lingering on the aftertaste.
Chenin Blanc 2022
Matured in stainless steel tanks. Vibrant notes of peach, apeicot and pineapple in the nose. The palaye is textured by minerality, with a clean, crisp fruity mouthfeel yet dry finish.
Easy-drinking and ideal to enjoy next to the pool or for those hot summer’s day ahead.
Pinotage Rosé 2022
Only 2 hours skin contact and made from Pinotage grapes. Typical strawberry and raspberry fruit profile with a hint of rooibos. Lively pink hue in the glass, with an invitingly crisp entry on the palate. So delicious and refreshing.
Pinotage 2021
Matured in French oak barrels with low toasting levels to bring out the fruit profile in the wine. Subtle aromas of plum and mulberry on the nose with a hint of nutmeg and mocca. Elegant tannin structure with some spice followed by well-integrated acidity. A delicate finish with a hint of smokiness.
Syrah 2021
This wine is young, fresh and vibrant. 20% was whole bunch matured in amphora and the balance was in older barrels. Wine was made to be enjoyed and not to be aged.
On the nose beautiful aromas of red fruit characters such as raspberries and sour cherries with hints of white pepper and green peppercorn together with some sage and dried fennel. This follows through onto the palate with elegant grainy palate. It’s herbaceous, spicy and fruity.
RESERVE TASTING
Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc
This is delicious and fresh with crisp flavours and is made from 100% Chardonnay. This beautiful Cap Classique shows gorgeous aromas of green apple, lemon zest and a touch of honey. Subtle brioche notes follow in the mid palate with a vibrant finish.
Limited Edition Chardonnay Pinot Noir
A traditional blend of made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this limited release Cap Classique exhibits rich flavours of almond and brioche offset with hints of lime and an elegant acidity.
Marizanne Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Named after the owner’s only daughter, only the best selection of berries were selected. This one is also their second vintage. The family celebrated her graduation from the universities in 2021 by naming a wine in her honour. Whole bunch fermentation took place in amphora and was also fermented in older French oak barrels for 6 months.
Tropical fruit and pineapple aromas are present in this wine, which are followed by toasted coconut and nuances of vanilla bean on the palate. The complex palate carries weight on the mid-palate together with a fresh mineral finish.
Anna De Koning Chenin Blanc 2021
Matured in large older French oak for 9 months, this wine is quite complex but this is an elegant Chenin Blanc. Elegant sweet melon with refreshing cape gooseberry on the palate, followed by honeyed almond, pineapple, nougat and ripe citrus notes on the finish. A refined full mouthfeel with a lingering taste from the lees contact and French oak maturation.
This barrel fermented Chenin Blanc was named after Anna De Koning, daughter of a freed slave who became the wife of the farm’s first owner Olof Bergh in 1676. Upon Bergh’s death in 1724, Anna inherited his entire estate and wealth, unusual in those times for both a woman and a freed slave to be a prestigious landowner.
Berliet Pinotage 2021
Spent 16 month in French oak of which 35% was new oak and the balance was older oak. This exudes notes of red fruit characters together with some smokiness, vanilla, coconut and cinnamon and nuances of potpourri. The palate is velvety with flavours of raspberry and mulberry which finishes with a lingering linear palate.
Berliet is names after the French vintage car and is one of 13 in the world that are still operational. The French car company was most famous for its armoured trucks during the first World War. But when the war ended they manufactured a few civilian models in the 1920’s. So when World War II broke out, the went back to making trucks. When the war ended, they were bought out by Citroen. Later on in the 1970’s it was bought out by Renault.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Spent 14 months in oak. Inviting fruit aromas of black cherry which follows through to the palate. Fruity palate with herbal nuances emphasizes the cool climate terroir. The wine has long, full finish that lingers with cocoa aftertaste.
RESTAURANT
Being one of the oldest farms in Durbanville, a farm stable built in 1767 was converted into a restaurant. Great care was taken to preserve as much of the original structure as possible, exemplified in the existing stone floor, wooden mangers, and hen coops.
The menu offers everything from weekend pizzas to breakfast, lunch, and dessert. With wholesome hearty flavours and contemporary touches, the dishes have been created to go well with Groot Phesantekraal wines.
If you’re looking for a burger that is melt-in-your-mouth delicious then The Full house Burger is highly recommended. It is made with a Wagyu patty and topped with a smoortjie relish, colby cheese, crispy onion, pickle, lettuce, fresh tomato, homemade toasted sesame milk bun and hand cut triple cooked chips.
Who can say no to a juicy and moreish Roasted Baby Chicken Roulade? It’s stuffed with spinach and cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, served with a garden vegetable and wild rocket salad on smoked olive and pork hunters ragout.
Their Neapolitan pizza has a salty crust with airy puffs around the sides and authentic wood fired charred spots. The Italian Sausage and Chimichurri is delicious. True to a hunter’s style sausage, slight bight and with a sharp yet alluring herby taste explosion – who can day no to pizza afterall?
From Chocolate Fondant to Apple Pie, the dessert options will most definitely satisfy the sweet cravings.
Groot Phesantekraal is a scenic destination experience full of history and offers an ideal setting for a wonderful day out with friends and family.
Contact Groot Phesantekraal
Tel: +27 (21) 825 0060
Email: restaurant@phesantekraal.co.za
Categories: Groot Phesantekraal
