20/08/2026
Dornier Wines, Stellenbosch : Where the Wine Is Serious, But the Welcome Isn’t.
There are wine farms you visit for the wine, and then there are places where the wine, people, setting and experience all come together to remind you why we are so incredibly fortunate to live in (near) the Cape Winelands.
Dornier Wines is firmly in the latter category.
I enjoyed a wine-derful tasting hosted by the incredibly hospitable Johan V Dyk , Marketing Manager, and it was a proper reminder that great wine is about far more than what happens inside the bottle. It’s about the people who make it, the stories behind it and the experience of sharing it. Cellarmaster Toit Wessels even popped across from the cellar for a quick sniff, swirl and catch-up. A seriously talented winemaker, I can't wait to see how he elevates the Dornier brand as he celebrates his 1 year anniversary on 1 September 2026!!
Changes are afoot at Dornier, with new South African ownership, aforementioned winemaker, streamlined range and renovation work. Dornier has undertaken renovating its original tasting room into a beautiful new “in the trees” venue as well as redeveloping the Manor House and coach house into guest accommodation in the future.
And then there was the wine…
🍇 2025 Pinot Grigio – a wine with a bouquet that just keeps evolving in the glass. One sniff leads to another, and suddenly you’re spending considerably longer with your nose in the glass than is socially acceptable.
🍷 2022 Moordenaarskloof Chenin Blanc – beautifully expressive and a lovely reminder of just how exciting Chenin continues to be in our part of the world.
🍷 2023 Semillon – outstanding on both nose and palate. A real treat and one of those wines that makes you stop, take another sip and think, “Oh yes… this is rather special.”
🍷 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – enticing from the moment it reaches the glass, with a nose that immediately demands your attention.
🍷 2022 Merlot – beautifully showing the character and charm of the variety.
🍷 2022 Petit Verdot – dark, structured and wonderfully intriguing. A wine with plenty to say for itself.
And then came the 2021 Donatus.
Oh, my word.
This Bordeaux blend is EVERYTHING you want in a red wine. Depth, complexity, structure, elegance and enough personality to make you want to pour another glass before you've finished the first. This was a serious standout for me.
The 2021 Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon followed beautifully, with the poise and presence you would expect from a serious Cape Cabernet.
And finally, the 2021 Tempranillo Reserve, rounding things off with yet another reminder that Dornier isn’t afraid to explore beyond the usual suspects.
What impressed me most, though, was the consistency. There is a clear sense of place, purpose and personality across the range. These are wines made with care, but without taking themselves too seriously.
And perhaps that is what makes Dornier so appealing.
Exceptional wines, a stunning new tasting experience, passionate people and hospitality that makes you feel like you’ve arrived as a guest and left as a friend.
Thank you, Johan and Toit, for a memorable tasting and for showcasing Dornier with such warmth and enthusiasm.🍷🌿
