A short drive outside of Durbanville will bring you to a laid-back haven. Perfect for indulging in good wine, while enjoying a wholesome breakfast or lunch, Groot Phesantekraal is waiting to welcome you.
At this time of year as spring is just making its way to the Mother City, the drive to Groot Phesantekraal is lined with bright green open spaces and canola fields. Dotted along the route are quaint leaning lamp posts and white farm-style buildings with thatched roofs, that greet you as you approach the historical farm.
In 1897, the Brink family acquired the farm but it was only in 2005 that their first wines were released.
Green lawns and the perfect amount of shade can be found just outside of the restaurant. This is a great spot to relax with the little ones while they run and play in the sun.
Uniquely-shaped hedges frame walkways and guide visitors into the welcoming foyer of the restaurant.
Being one of the oldest farms in Durbanville, the restaurant, housed in a converted farm stable (built in 1767) pays homage to the history of the farm. The white-washed plastered walls, original stone floors, open-beam thatched roof and original feeding troughs blend seamlessly with modern touches and wonderful views over the rolling hills and mountains beyond.
The menu is small but satisfying and visitors can read all about the farm on the first page. The menu also features a set menu option depending on what time of the week it is. This includes a weekday breakfast, a lunch menu and a Saturday Brunch menu.
We can highly recommend the Gammon Cheese Waffle as well as the Burned Sweet Potato Pie. Coffee-lovers are sure to be pleased when paying a visit as well.
The service is also on point and you can easily order wine to take home and pick it up on your way out.
Saturdays on the Lawn: New at Groot Phesantekraal, some delicious accompaniments to wine tasting are on offer on Saturdays. Overlooking rolling vineyards, parents can relax outside, tasting wine while their children run freely on the expansive lawns. The menu includes Fine Cheese and Meat Platters with Ciabatta (Everything is local: chorizo-style salami, coppa ham, cremona (SA gorgonzola), jong belegen boerenkaas and mature cheddar) as well as Pizzas, from the new wood-fired pizza oven, served on wooden boards. Current pizza options are: Chorizo, Blue Cheese, Fresh Pear and Mozzarella, and Field Mushroom, Feta, Red Onion, Truffle Oil and Mozzarella. There is always a Sweet Treat on offer to end the meal. Follow Groot Phesantekraal on social media to find out about their occasional Saturday ‘Pizza & Wine Promos’ which really draw the crowds.
Speaking about wine, a visit to Groot Phesantekraal would be incomplete without a wine tasting. For just R50 you can pop into the renovated chicken coop for a tasting of five of their best wines with the winemaker himself, Etienne Louw.
The Groot Phesantekraal range of wines includes a Blanc de Blanc MCC, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Anna de Koning barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Berliet Pinotage.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised with each sip as the variety of wines spans from Chenin Blanc, to a brand new Pinotage, that is lovingly produced to the finest detail. So if you’re looking for your next Cape Winelands stop, especially during brunch time, why not wander over to Groote Phesantekraal.
Contact: 021 825 0060
Address: Klipheuwel way, R302 (16.72 mi) Durbanville 7551
Website: www.grootphesantekraal.co.za
