There’s more wine flowing in the CBD than we thought. In the April/May issue of City Views we incorrectly stated that Signal Hill Winery in Heritage Square was the only urban winery in South Africa. As it turns out, one of its neighbours, Dorrance Winery, is in the viticulture business too.
Run by Normandy-born Christophe Durand and his South African wife, Sabrina, Dorrance Winery and French deli is accessible via the Heritage Square courtyard. Since it opened a year ago, 35 000 bottles of wine have been produced on the premises – all of which were either chenin blanc, chardonnay or syrah from Swartland and Elgin grapes.
Christophe first made wine from the Cape Heritage Hotel’s famous vine, the oldest in the country, back in 2009. He’s doing it again this year – the latest vintage is currently ageing and bottles of the wine will be auctioned for charity when they’re ready.
With plans afoot to open a chic but cosy French bistro inside the winery, Christophe and Sabrina will soon also be able to offer their customers a rare dining experience where they can actually watch as wine is pressed and bottled. If you fancy a taste in the meantime, Dorrance’s range – as well as imported wines – can be sampled by the glass between 12h00 and 18h00 on the weekdays.
95 Hout St | www.vinsdorrance.co.za, 021 422 0695
This article first appeared in the June/July 2015 issue of City Views. Read it online.