Collectors Reserve Lighthouse Merlot

This Merlot pairs exceptionally well with rich dishes like lamb’s neck with prunes, lamb roast with rosemary, and mushroom-based dishes. It also goes well with Boerenkaas cheese.

The grapes are sourced from 18-year-old vineyards located on the Westerly side of the Durbanville valley. These vines benefit from cooling ocean breezes, which prevent water stress and ensure even ripening. The vineyard’s red Hutton soils provide excellent water retention, which is key for achieving balanced, high-quality Merlot​.

The wine is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels, a combination of new and second-fill, which adds depth to the fruit flavors and integrates the tannins for a smoother texture​.

The grapes are hand-picked at optimal ripeness. The juice is drained to concentrate the flavors, and the wine undergoes fermentation with a preferred yeast strain. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels (a mix of new and second-fill) for 14 months, enhancing its structure and complexity​.

The unique location of Durbanville Hills’ cellar a mere 20 minutes from Cape Town’s city centre, offers not only a spectacular view of Table Mountain and Table Bay but also an extraordinary terroir that stabilises temperatures and eliminates extremes of heat and cold. Although the Durbanville area is renowned for its SAUVIGNON BLANC that excels under the cool conditions where it is grown mostly on the cool south-facing slopes, the range of RED WINES also benefit from the warmer valley outskirts and opposing northern slopes.