Dunstone Winery is proud to have been awarded Silver at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC Awards) 2018. The accolade was given to the Dunstone Shiraz 2015 vintage, which received between 80-85.9 points. Chief winemaker Danie De Bruyn says this is a fantastic achievement for the winery as it demonstrates that South Africa, and more specifically Dunstone, is able to compete with the rest of the world in the production of world-class wines.
According to the IWSC records, 2018 has been the best year yet for South Africa, as it saw a 13.5% increase on wine entries from the country compared to last year and an increasing number of silver and gold medals. De Bruyn is not surprised by these outstanding results, saying that both 2015 and 2017 have been described as the best SA vintages ever.
In its 49th year, the IWSC Awards remains a relevant competition for the wine industry through its scoring procedure that is based on both organoleptic judgement as well as chemical analysis. Entries are received from nearly 90 countries worldwide.
The Dunstone Shiraz has big, bold, red fruit flavours with sweet spice from the French oak barrels in which the grapes matured for 14 months. It has a smooth and juicy palate, well integrated tannins with a long, lingering finish. It is a wine that will only get better with age.
To read the full tasting notes for the Dunstone Shiraz and our other wines, including the Stones in the Sun range, please visit our winery page. Here you will also find information on all of our local and international stockists and our most updated pricelist. Click here
To taste Dunstone wine locally, guests are welcome to visit Dunstone Country Estate (open 7 days per week from Monday 1st October 2018). Self-guided wine tasting takes place in our bistro on the estate, The Stone Kitchen, and costs R30 for six wines. Cellar tours may also be arranged via prior appointment only. Contact Danie De Bruyn at for more info.
“May our love be like good wine, grow stronger as it grows older.”
The Cape Winelands wedding industry is big business. Every year, thousands of couples from South Africa and overseas alike tie the knot in one of a multitude of licensed wedding venues in the greater Cape Winelands’ area. Fairy tale scenery, a favourable climate (and a fantastic exchange rate for foreigners) are just a few reasons why the wine farm wedding trend is here to stay.
In the rolling countryside outside Wellington, there are several idyllic winelands wedding venues to consider for your big day. Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, the area has as much of the charm of its big brothers Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, without the crowds or the price tag. Here are three of our favourites.
Grande Dedale
Set amongst 380 hectares of mountains, vineyards, riverbeds, fruit orchards and fynbos, Grande Dédale Country House on Doolhof Wine Estate has a ‘world of its own’ feel about it and is a unique and intimate location for a Cape Winelands wedding. Located at the very end of a long gravel road, tranquillity and privacy are guaranteed. A number of venue options for ceremony, reception or cocktail function are available, with the estate accommodating up to 120 guests. All catering is strictly in-house.
Bride Bronwyn B on TripAdvisor had this to say about Grande Dedale:
“We had our dream wedding at Grand Dédale Country House in Wellington! Excellent service, exquisite decor and a serene setting! We are in awe of this place and will be back to celebrate each anniversary there!”
Kleinevalleij
The popular Cape Winelands wedding venue NEO at Kleinevalleij lies within a vineyard at the foot of Bains Kloof, offering panoramic mountain views. It can accommodate up to 300 guests, with in-house catering provided by the creative team at Slippery Spoon Kitchen. It is equipped with a fully stocked bar, but guests looking to bring their own wines are charged a corkage of R35 per bottle. Venue costs in season range between R20 and R35k.
Maryke on Facebook said this about the wedding she attended at Kleinevalleij:
“WOW! Absolutely beautiful…surrounded by those amazing mountains and blue sky… speechless!”
Leeurivier
If you’re looking for a blend of the old and the new, this gorgeous restored Cape Dutch venue at Leeurivier offers charm and romance, while boasting breath-taking views of rolling vineyards and a delightful English country garden. The refurbished barn serves as a possible reception hall, accommodating up to 240 guests. As there is no dedicated caterer at the venue, bridal party can select an external caterer. All drinks, including wine, should be purchased externally and the venue does not have a corkage fee. Costs are calculated per person.
While Dunstone Country Estate is not in the Cape Winelands wedding business directly, our family bistro is in close proximity to the three wedding venues above, which makes us an ideal option for both accommodation and functions outside of the main event. We can also cater for intimate weddings of 30 people or less.
The Stone Kitchen can cater for pre-wedding family functions the night before or post-wedding brunches for all wedding guests. Seating up to 150 people, it has indoor and outdoor kids’ play areas, a tasty menu and ample opportunity for photographs under the guava trees with a backdrop of the Hawekwa Mountains.
The 5* Dunstone Manor House serves as the perfect hideaway for the bride-to-be and her lovely bridesmaids, far removed from the stress and distractions of the wedding venue set up. For the wider wedding party, the estate sleeps up to a maximum of 24 adults (extra beds can be made available for children) in a cluster of beautifully furnished self-catering properties and B&B guest suites. All accommodation can be block booked for wedding guests, well in advance. To discuss your Cape Winelands wedding arrangements with Dunstone, get in touch at
