De Grendel Wine Estate has been the home of the De Villiers Graaff family for centuries. With roots stemming from the 19th century, Sir David Pieter de Villiers Graaff established a fine lineage of winemakers who have propelled the wine estate into the 21st century with wisdom, innovation and groundbreaking foresight.
Active in both the political and social spheres of South Africa, the De Villiers Graaff family have firmly tied their legacy to that of the country. The first Graaff to land in South Africa was Johan Jürgen Gräff from Dorn-Assenheim, a German gentleman who made the voyage to the country in 1761. Fourteen years later he was followed by the second Graaff, the ancestor of Sir David Graaff’s family in South Africa. He was a German soldier employed by the Dutch East India Company. A skilled artist, he excelled at carpentry and is the crafter behind the impressive pulpit of the Groote Kerk in Cape Town.
Sir David became the first Graaff to own De Grendel, which he bought in the 1890s. This farm was historically the gateway on the route to the inland settlements of Durbanville and Stellenbosch which had to be opened to traverse the Tygerberg, which got its name from leopard-like spots of vegetation on the steep hill. He ran the farm as a gentleman’s estate, breeding with Arab horses. The farm was famous throughout the country.
Sir David Graaff, the third baronet, continued the legacy left by his father and grandfather before him. He was a caring community man involved in the upliftment of farm labourers and encouraged his unskilled workers’ children to complete their education. It was through his insight and innovation that De Grendel planted vineyards and started their centuries long success story of viticulture.
The current De Villiers Graaff at the wheel of De Grendel is Sir De Villiers Graaff, 4th Baronet, a prominent businessman, restaurateur and passionate winemaker. His distinguished impact can be seen in De Grendel’s innovative wine production and sustainable farming endeavours.
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