Harvest 2026 Celebrated Across Durbanville Wine Valley

The Durbanville Wine Valley invites wine lovers to celebrate the height of Harvest 2026 with the return of its much-anticipated Tasting Under the Stars on Thursday, 12 March. As vineyards hum with activity and cellars fill with the aromas of fermenting grapes, participating wineries across the valley will extend their trading hours into the evening, offering a series of harvest-inspired experiences that honour the season.

Just 20 minutes from Cape Town, Durbanville’s cool-climate vineyards are at their most atmospheric in March. Long golden days linger into dusk, while the promise of autumn brings a sense of transition and anticipation. Rather than a single, central festival, Tasting Under the Stars unfolds across the valley, with each participating cellar curating its own event as part of a broader celebration marking the close of harvest in the region.

Visitors are invited to explore the valley after dark, moving between estates that showcase different expressions of harvest — from relaxed outdoor gatherings and food-and-wine pairings to behind-the-scenes cellar tastings and live music under the stars. Together, these experiences offer a layered and authentic snapshot of Durbanville at one of the most important moments in the winemaking calendar.

Participating Wineries | 12 March

Canto: A relaxed daytime-to-evening experience pairing wine with pizza, set against sweeping views and expansive lawns that make it especially welcoming for families.

D’Aria: An informal, family-friendly stop offering wine tastings alongside cheese and charcuterie, enjoyed in open gardens and wide green spaces.

De Grendel: A refined evening centred on elegant tapas-style dishes paired with estate wines, reflecting the classic style of this historic farm.

c: A laid-back, Mediterranean-inspired harvest celebration featuring food, wine and live music in an open-air setting.

Durbanville Hills: An immersive harvest evening combining tapas-style dishes with wine, including a rare opportunity to taste wines still in barrel.

Groot Phesantekraal: A cellar-focused experience that explores wines at different stages of their evolution, offering insight into the journey from grape to glass.

Hillcrest Wines: A relaxed harvest gathering with wine, platters and vineyard views, ideal for lingering into the evening with friends.

Klein Roosboom: A playful celebration of harvest featuring traditional grape stomping and small plates designed to complement the farm’s boutique wines.

Maastricht Wines: A lively local favourite offering a casual evening of wine and food, accompanied by live music and an easy-going atmosphere.

Meerendal: A classic harvest tasting experience set within a historic environment, highlighting the season through carefully curated wine selections.

c: A full-day harvest celebration culminating in the evening, combining wine tastings with a distinctive nod to historic European wine traditions.

Capturing the Spirit of the Valley

More than a showcase of individual wineries, Tasting Under the Stars captures the essence of Durbanville Wine Valley itself — close to the city yet deeply rooted in the rhythms of the land. It offers wine lovers a rare opportunity to experience harvest first-hand, tasting wines at their source and sharing in the moment when a year’s work in the vineyard begins its transformation into the vintage to come.

For full programme details and booking information visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za