The story
Dorrance Wines recently unveiled their new urban wine cellar and tasting room located in the Heritage Square, one of Cape Town’s most iconic buildings.The narrow doorways, exposed granite walls, dimly-lit rows of barriques and an old forge provide the perfect old world setting for a unique City Winery.
Christophe & Sabrina Durand’s journey to create a space in which to nurture and showcase wines that express terroir, honour tradition and exude elegance.
This quest corresponds with Dorrance wine’s credo of producing finely crafted wines in the French tradition. Hailing from Calvados, Christophe moved to Cape Town in 1995, where he established himself as a supplier of premium French barriques and also met Sabrina.
However, the quest to discover South African wines that expressed origin and individuality led to the release of their first wine, the Cuvee Ameena Syrah 2000. The birth of their daughter was commemorated with the launch of the Cuvee Anais Chardonnay in 2004 and in 2011 the celebrated Kama Chenin Blanc emerged to complete the star-studded lineup.
Victim of their own success. Demand had risen to such a level that continuing under their existing infrastructure would have been unsustainable.
Furthermore, while their wines were available in prominent restaurants and wine retailers, there was nowhere for wine enthusiasts to go to experience Dorrance’s winemaking philosophy or interact with the people behind the brand.
To achieve perfect expression, Christophe relies on unique vineyard sites, early picking and rigorous sorting to bring in,” beautiful, healthy berries which shape a more balanced wine with a low PH, higher natural acidity and lower alcohol.”
First range
A naturally made wine from carefully selected grapes. Highly aromatic, with hints of Jasmine, aromas of white peach with slight overtones of oak on the nose ending in an elegant and smooth palate.
Viognier – 2018 – 13,5%
This beautiful blushing pink wine from 100% Cinsault comes from carefully selected vineyards. Natural fermentation in a stainless steel tank resulted in a smooth & elegant fresh wine bursting with summer fruit flavours, complex and easily enjoyable at the same time. The nose of wild berries and fresh white peaches is complemented by a touch of spice.
Cinsault – 2018 – 12,5%
A naturally fermented wine produced from carefully selected Cinsault grapes from Swartland vineyards. This dramatically coloured wine is smooth in texture, viby in character, with layers of spices and pepper and delicious red fruit flavours.
Cinsault – 2017 – 13,5%
Premium range
Grapes for our decomposed Granite dry land vineyard were picked in the early morning from our single 42 years old Chenin Blanc bush vines in the heart of the Swartland region . Those deep soils tend to produce wines with great acidity and low PH. Showing subtle notes of apples,melon & spice. Intriguing spicy palate with a round soft texture & enticing mineral undertones. Full on elegance…Fermented and aged in concrete eggs
Chenin Blanc – 2017 – 14%
Cuvee Anais, named after the winemaker’s youngest daughter is a truly expressive wine displaying vibrant tropical fruits with background notes of honey and biscuits.Limestones hint at the underlying minerality . The palate shows great generosity with a pleasant rounded core.It’s crisp finish gives and energy to the wine.
Chardonnay – 2016 – 13%
This flawless 100% Syrah 2015 illustrates the joy of vividly pure sweet fruit underpinned by spicy, supple tannins. Combo of Perdeberg/Elgin grapes, this beautiful Syrah is an elegantly restrained style offering appetising nod to Northern Rhone. 100% whole bunch. Naturally fermented in open tanks with low sulphur. Polished , elegant , peppery with a dark spicy fruit integrated with a judicious oaking.