Delaire Graff Estate

"So, what is this place? Tell us a little about it.Delaire Graff Estate is a designer winery with wraparound mountain and valley views. The panoramic vista out front encompasses the undulating vineyards, deep valleys, and towering mountains. In winter, the deep leather sofas around the fireplace are the best seats; in summer, snag an outdoor table under the trees. Either way, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in an elegant hotel bar, one with an enviable art collection to boot—an apt setting in which to sip on Delaire’s subtly nuanced, terroir-specific wines. Sounds delightful; we can't wait to check it out. Who else are we likely to see here?Wine connoisseurs who appreciate the sophisticated surroundings. The crowd tends to skew international, and there are a lot of small groups with private guides. Perfect. Speaking of wine connoisseurs, can you tell us about the vino?These are superb wines that make the trek up the Helshoogte mountain pass worth it. Start with the Delaire Graff Sunrise Brut MCC (named after a hefty yellow diamond) and end with Sunburst, a noble late-harvest sticky that tastes like dessert in a glass. Winemaker Morne Vrey believes in minimal intervention, allowing the integrity of the grapes to tell their own story. That's an itinerary we can stick to. How about the food? Anything we can line our stomachs with, or should we bring some snacks along?The offering is simple but substantial. Choose between a cheese platter (with big chunks of cheese from a local fromagerie and fruit preserves), a vegetarian platter (with olive tapenade, olive paste, olives, and crudite), and a charcuterie platter. All are served with fresh artisanal bread from nearby Boschendal Farm. Excellent. What about the people who work there—did they seem to know what they were talking about?The smartly attired staff is well educated, yet no one’s afraid to let their personality shine through. Many folks here are studying toward further wine appreciation or sommelier qualifications through the country’s highly regarded WSET certification program. That's pretty legit. So, wrap it us: Why are we coming here?Delaire is known for its phenomenal art collection, ultra-modern winery, award-winning bottles, two restaurants, and exceptional suites and villas with a spa attached. Here, too, you’ll find the smallest Graff Diamonds store in the world, which showcases an exclusive collection handmade in London by Graff’s master craftsmen. Come for impressive wines, but stay for the the art and view." - Jane Broughton