De Grendel

What De Grendel does

De Grendel Wines (Pty.) Ltd. is a privately held, family-owned South African wine estate and hospitality business operated by the Graaff family (4th Baronet, Sir De Villiers Graaff, as Managing Director) on a 422-hectare farm on the Tygerberg slopes 20 minutes from Cape Town. The estate, established as a farm in 1720 and with viniculture introduced in 2000, produces 25+ wines across varietals (Bordeaux blend Rubaiyat, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinotage, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cap Classique) from two distinct terroir zones: a coastal Tygerberg vineyard 7km from the Atlantic and a high-altitude (960m) Op Die Berg vineyard on the Ceres Plateau. Winemaking combines traditional methods with a gravity-flow cellar, geomancy-informed building placement, soil-moisture-monitored water-wise irrigation (40% water savings), and a 500kWp solar PV installation, with 80 hectares under vines and a 55,000-case production target.

The company operates an integrated direct-to-consumer business model across five revenue streams: (1) wine sales via the Shopify-powered e-commerce store (shop.degrendel.co.za) with free delivery for 12+ bottle orders in South Africa, (2) on-site Tasting Room with three paid tasting tiers (R150–R290), (3) De Grendel Restaurant serving contemporary Cape Town cuisine at cellar door prices, (4) farm tours with game viewing (R625–R1,025 per person), and (5) a Loyalty Club with annual spend thresholds (18+ bottles or R3,000+) that delivers 10% discounts, member-only wines, and exclusive event access. International distribution is handled through 22+ appointed agents across 25+ countries (UK, USA, Germany, Japan, China, Netherlands, UAE, Brazil, etc.), with stockists including Waitrose & Partners and Sligro Food Group.

Customer segments span mid-to-high-income South African wine consumers, international wine enthusiasts, hospitality/tourism visitors, and wine collectors seeking age-worthy flagship bottlings (e.g., Rubaiyat, Sir David Graaff 1st Baronet, Elim Shiraz). The estate has accumulated 100+ wine awards across Platter's, Decanter, IWSC, IWC, James Suckling, Robert Parker, and Michelangelo competitions, holds WWF Conservation Champion status, and is ISO 14064-verified carbon-negative, anchoring its premium positioning and ESG narrative.

Name

De Grendel

Legal name

De Grendel Wines (Pty.) Ltd.

Website

https://degrendel.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Family-owned Cape Town wine estate producing 25+ award-winning wines from dual coastal and high-altitude vineyards, selling direct via e-commerce, tasting room, restaurant, and farm tours, and distributed in 25+ countries through international agents and retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Production

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB)

Keywords

• South African wine estate
• Wine production
• Wine tasting experiences
• Wine tourism hospitality
• Direct-to-consumer wine sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wine Sales (Direct E-commerce): Online direct sales of wines delivered across South Africa (free delivery for 12+ bottles) and internationally through agents. Products include still wines (red, white, rosé), Cap Classique sparklings, cider, and olive oil. Price points range from R105 (Rosé 2026) to R4,995 (Vintage Winter Selection) per bottle/case.
2. Restaurant Dining: On-site fine dining restaurant (De Grendel Restaurant) serving contemporary Cape Town cuisine complemented by De Grendel wines at cellar door prices. Lunch Tuesday–Sunday, dinner Tuesday–Saturday. R300 per person deposit required.
3. Wine Tasting & Experiences: Paid wine tasting experiences at the Tasting Room: Classic Tasting (R150, 6 wines), Heritage Tasting (R170, limited-production wines), Legacy Tasting (R290, exclusive wines). Farm tours also available (R625/person or R1,025/person with picnic).
4. Loyalty Club Membership: Members gain 10% discount on all wine purchases, free delivery, early access to new vintages, member-only wines, and complimentary tastings. Membership requires purchasing 18+ bottles or spending R3,000+ on De Grendel wines.
5. Events & Private Functions: Winemaker's dinners (R1,100/person), corporate functions (up to 20 guests), and weddings/events (up to 75 guests) hosted at the estate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

De Grendel produces and sells award-winning wines from its 422-hectare estate on Tygerberg Hill in Cape Town, offering a portfolio spanning over 25 wines across red, white, rosé, and Cap Classique sparkling categories sourced from two distinct terroir zones (coastal Tygerberg and high-altitude Op Die Berg at 960m). Beyond wine, it operates a Tasting Room, an on-site fine dining restaurant, guided farm tours with indigenous wildlife viewing, a Loyalty Club subscription program, and curated multi-bottle wine selections sold direct-to-consumer online and via international agents across 22+ countries.

Product overview

De Grendel is a South African wine estate and hospitality business offering a portfolio of 25+ wines across multiple varietals and price points. The core product portfolio includes flagship wines (Rubaiyat Bordeaux blend, Sir David Graaff legacy wine), premium single-varietal wines (Shiraz, Merlot, Pinotage, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc), sparkling Cap Classiques, specialty wines (Op Die Berg high-altitude collection, Noble Late Harvest), cider (Three Spades), and olive oil. The business also operates experiential hospitality services including a tasting room, fine dining restaurant, and farm tours. Wines are sold direct-to-consumer through an online shop (powered by Shopify) and via international agents across 25+ countries. The Loyalty Club provides exclusive member benefits and early access to limited releases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Three Spades Cider: Premium cider made from freshly pressed pure apple juice from Elgin terroir, crafted by winemaker Charles Hopkins.
• Rubaiyat
• Winifred
• De Tijger
• Gaedry
• Proposal Hill

Products and services

• Winter Wine Selection 2026 A limited 12-bottle case curated for winter dining, including Rubaiyat 2020, De Tijger Merlot 2022, Pinot Noir 2023, Pinotage 2023, Merlot 2023, and Shiraz 2022; priced at R3,590 (saving up to R500 vs R4,090).
• Vintage Winter Wine Selection 2026 A limited 12-bottle case featuring older vintages and current releases of Rubaiyat, Pinotage, Merlot and Shiraz from various years; priced at R4,995 (saving R1,385 vs R6,380).
• Op Die Berg Collection A curated six-bottle selection showcasing the Op Die Berg range — Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, all grown on the Ceres Plateau at approximately 1,000 metres above sea level; priced at R2,220.
• Sir David Graaff 1st Baronet of Cape Town 2016 A premium red wine tribute to Sir David Pieter De Villiers Graaff, produced in limited quantities with numbered bottles, rated Platter's 4½ Stars in 2018 and 2019; priced at R1,700 per bottle with aging potential of 20+ years.
• Rubaiyat 2020 De Grendel's flagship Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, named after Omar Khayyam's Persian love poems; current 2020 vintage priced at R490 per bottle with 100+ award points across vintages.
• Elim Shiraz 2020 (1,5L Magnum) Premium Shiraz from the cool maritime climate of Elim near Cape Agulhas, known for its distinctive rotundone style with deep black pepper intensity; magnum format priced at R1,050.
• De Tijger Merlot 2022 A bold, structured Merlot from the slopes of Tygerberg, crafted from some of the oldest vines on De Grendel, rooted in shale and clay soils; priced at R370 per bottle.
• Op Die Berg Syrah 2023 An elegant, complex, full-bodied and fragrant Syrah grown at 960 meters altitude on the Ceres Plateau, one of South Africa's highest and coldest winemaking districts; priced at R370 per bottle.
• Op Die Berg Pinot Noir 2022 A concentrated, luscious, elegant Pinot Noir from the Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres at 960 meters altitude, with winter snowfalls covering the vineyards; priced at R370 per bottle.
• Op Die Berg Chardonnay 2025 A rich, full-bodied barrel-fermented Chardonnay from the Ceres Plateau appellation at 960 meters altitude, with vines sometimes covered in snow during winter; priced at R370 per bottle.
• Amandelboord Pinotage 2023 An elegant yet expressive Pinotage celebrating the 10th anniversary of the De Grendel cellar and paying homage to the 2nd Baronet's favourite cultivar; priced at R370 per bottle.
• Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc 2025 A premium Sauvignon Blanc named after the oldest building on the estate (the coach house), made from hand-selected grapes from cool coastal vineyards near Darling; priced at R270 per bottle.
• Winifred 2025 An elegant white blend of Viognier, Chardonnay, and Semillon named in honour of Lady Winifred Graaff, first crafted to celebrate the opening of the cellar in 2006; priced at R270 per bottle.
• Gaedry Blanc de Blanc Brut 2020 An exclusive Cap Classique crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes, aged on lees for 30 months, available only to Loyalty Club members; priced at R375 per bottle.
• Proposal Hill Cap Classique Brut Rosé 2023 A bone-dry rosé Cap Classique made from 100% Pinot Noir from the western slope of Tygerberg hill, featuring complex palate with strawberry coulis and black cherry flavours.
• Cap Classique Brut 2024 A multi-award-winning Cap Classique with extremely fine streams of bubbles, balanced with citrus aromas and a mineral green apple crispness.
• Shiraz 2022 A smooth Shiraz with layers of cloves, nutmeg and warm spices, sourced from selected vineyards in Paarl and Firgrove areas.
• Merlot 2023 A refined expression of Cape Town Merlot from the Tygerberg slopes, showing rich dark berry fruit with gentle spice and finely integrated tannins.
• Sauvignon Blanc 2026 A crisp, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc reflecting Durbanville's cool Atlantic slopes with bright aromas of gooseberry, green apple, and delicate citrus blossom.
• Rosé 2026 A fresh, vibrant rosé crafted from 100% Pinotage, offering bright and expressive style with wild strawberry, watermelon, and rose petal aromas; priced from R105 per bottle.
• Sauvignon Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2025 (375ml) A rich, sweet dessert wine made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes naturally infected with Botrytis Cinerea (noble rot), producing intense, concentrated flavours.
• Merlot 2021 1,5L Magnum A magnum (1.5L) bottle of De Grendel Merlot, equivalent to two standard bottles, designed for group sharing and extended aging.
• Merlot 2021 3L Double Magnum A double magnum (3L) bottle of De Grendel Merlot, ideal for group occasions and long-term cellaring.
• Three Spades Cider (16 x 330ml) A premium cider uniquely made from freshly pressed pure apple juice rather than apple concentrate, crafted using apples from the Elgin terroir; priced at R800 per case of 16 bottles.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml An extra virgin olive oil crafted in collaboration with Rio Largo Olive Estate, produced in the Scherpenheuwel Valley between Worcester and Robertson.
• Tasting Room Experience Wine tasting experiences with views of Table Mountain offering Classic Tasting (R150/person, 6 wines), Heritage Tasting (R170/person, limited-production wines), and Legacy Tasting (R290/person, exclusive wines including Winifred and Sir David Graaff 1st Baronet).
• De Grendel Restaurant Award-winning fine dining restaurant offering contemporary Cape Town cuisine designed to complement De Grendel wines available at cellar door prices; lunch Tuesday–Sunday, dinner Tuesday–Saturday; R300 per person fully refundable deposit required.
• Farm Tours Guided farm tours introducing guests to indigenous wildlife including Springbuck, Eland, Red Hartebeest and Bontebok; Farm Tour R625/person (60 minutes) or Farm Tour & Picnic R1,025/person (maximum 6 guests).
• De Grendel Loyalty Club Annual membership program requiring purchase of 18+ bottles or R3,000+ spend on De Grendel wines; members receive 10% discount on all wine purchases, free delivery for 12+ bottles, early access to new vintages, member-only wines, complimentary tastings for member plus guest, and exclusive event invitations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 major wine awards and ratings across Platter's Guide, Decanter, IWSC, IWC, Tim Atkin SA, James Suckling, Michelangelo, Veritas, and international competitions since 2004
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Owl Rescue CentreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Owl Rescue Centre is a South African non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection, rehabilitation, and release of owls and other vulnerable wildlife. De Grendel has partnered with Owl Rescue Centre for Earth Day 2026 (April 22 to May 22, 2026), donating R3 per bottle of wine sold online to support their conservation efforts.
• Domno WinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDomno Wines is De Grendel's appointed agent in Brazil, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines to the Brazilian market.
• IVSP (Quebec)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIVSP is De Grendel's appointed agent in Quebec, Canada, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines to the Quebec market.
• Nobilis Wine ImporterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNobilis Wine Importers is De Grendel's appointed agent in Canada (Quebec), responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• FSC WinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFSC Wines is De Grendel's appointed agent in China, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines to the Chinese market.
• Xiamen Osone Wines Co.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorXiamen Osone Wines Co. is De Grendel's appointed agent in China, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• House of WinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHouse of Wine is De Grendel's appointed agent in Czech Republic, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• Lesedi WinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLesedi Wines is De Grendel's appointed agent in Denmark, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• EURL Vins VigneroncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEURL Vins Vigneron is De Grendel's appointed agent in France, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• H.M. Witt Co GMBH Wein ImportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorH.M. Witt Co GMBH Wein Import is De Grendel's appointed agent in Germany, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• Springbok WinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpringbok Wines is De Grendel's appointed agent in Hong Kong, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• Wood & Wine International Kft.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWood & Wine International Kft. is De Grendel's appointed agent in Hungary, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• Zavino EHFcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZavino EHF is De Grendel's appointed agent in Iceland, located at Austurströnd, 170 Seltjarnarnes.
• Wine MasoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWine Mason is De Grendel's appointed agent in Ireland, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• Afriwines SRLcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAfriwines SRL is De Grendel's appointed agent in Italy, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• Vinos YamazakicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVinos Yamazaki is De Grendel's appointed agent in Japan, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• OxenhamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOxenham is De Grendel's appointed agent in Mauritius, operating under leconnoisseur.mu.
• The Wine Bar & ShopcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Wine Bar & Shop is De Grendel's appointed agent in Namibia, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• Sligro Food GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSligro Food Group is De Grendel's appointed agent in the Netherlands, a major food service and wholesale company also distributing De Grendel wines.
• Blue Mountain Company AScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlue Mountain Company AS is De Grendel's appointed agent in Norway, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• ArmastylcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArmastyl is De Grendel's appointed agent in Poland, operating degrendel.pl domain.
• The Straits Wine CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Straits Wine Company is De Grendel's appointed agent in Singapore, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• KapWeinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKapWeine is De Grendel's appointed agent in Switzerland, distributing De Grendel wines through shop.kapweine.ch.
• Ongoro International CorpcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOngoro International Corp is De Grendel's appointed agent in Taiwan, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• Maritime Mercantile Int. (MMI)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaritime Mercantile Int. (MMI) is De Grendel's appointed agent in the UAE, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines in the Emirates.
• K&L Wines OnlinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK&L Wines Online is De Grendel's appointed retailer in the United Kingdom, selling De Grendel wines through their online platform.
• Waitrose & PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaitrose & Partners is De Grendel's retail partner in the United Kingdom, stocking De Grendel wines in their stores and online.
• Canopy Wine SelectionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanopy Wine Selections is De Grendel's appointed agent in the United States, responsible for importing and distributing De Grendel wines.
• Rio Largo Olive EstateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRio Largo Olive Estate is De Grendel's partner for the production of De Grendel Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The oil is produced on the Rio Largo Olive Estate in the Scherpenheuwel Valley (between Worcester and Robertson on the Breede River banks), presented in De Grendel-branded packaging.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Delaire Graff Estate: Luxury Stellenbosch wine estate combining vineyard, fine-dining restaurant (Indochine), tasting room, art gallery, and lodge. Closest comparable to De Grendel's integrated DTC model of premium wine + restaurant + tasting room + tourism anchored on Table Mountain/False Bay views.
• Klein Constantia: Heritage Cape Town wine estate (est. 1685) famous for Vin de Constance dessert wine, owned by Doyen Bobstoff since 1980. Directly comparable to De Grendel in historic Cape estate positioning, premium wine portfolio, and on-site tasting hospitality.
• Meerlust: Iconic family-owned Stellenbosch estate famed for the Rubicon Bordeaux blend since 1984 and long-term cellaring credentials. Comparable to De Grendel in family heritage ownership, premium Bordeaux blend flagship positioning, and generational stewardship.
• Graham Beck: Robertson-based premium producer historically anchored by Cap Classique sparkling wines. Comparable in Method Cap Classique credentials (Proposal Hill/Gaedry ranges), previous employer of De Grendel's cellar master Charles Hopkins, and family-led premium positioning.
• Tokara: Stellenbosch estate combining premium wine production, olive oil, restaurant, and tasting room overlooking False Bay. Closely comparable to De Grendel's DTC hospitality-wine model with on-site restaurant and dual-product diversification.
• Ernie Els Wines: Stellenbosch premium wine estate founded by celebrity golfer Ernie Els with flagship and estate ranges. Comparable to De Grendel in prestigious single-estate positioning, multi-tier portfolio, and brand-led premium pricing.
• Kanonkop Estate: Fourth-generation family-owned Stellenbosch estate renowned for flagship Black Label Pinotage and Paul Sauer Bordeaux blend. Comparable to De Grendel in family governance, premium red-wine focus, and sustained critical acclaim across multiple vintages.
• Boekenhoutskloof: Boutique premium South African winemaker known for Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Porcupine Ridge range. Comparable to De Grendel in fine-wine Syrah/Cabernet focus, awards-driven reputation, and boutique production philosophy.
• Groot Constantia: South Africa's oldest wine estate (1685), based on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Directly comparable to De Grendel in heritage positioning, Cape Town tourism focus, museum/tasting experience offering, and old-vine Cape pedigree.

Broad incumbents

• Spier Wines: One of South Africa's oldest and largest wine producers (Stellenbosch) with broad product portfolio, multiple on-site restaurants, conferencing, and tourism offerings. Comparable in Cape wine-tourism DTC model and offering breadth, but at materially larger scale and broader portfolio scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/degrendelwines
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@degrendelwines
• Facebookfacebook.com/degrendelwines
• Instagraminstagram.com/degrendelwines
• TikToktiktok.com/@degrendelwines
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/degrendelwines

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about De Grendel