Jordan Wine Estate
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In Their Words
Jordan History & Location
Situated 25 minutes from Cape Town International airport and 10 minutes from Stellenbosch, Jordan is a working wine estate that has been transformed to become one of the leading estates in South Africa.
Gary and Kathy Jordan have been making world-class wines since 1993, on a farm with a history going back over 300 years. Gary’s parents, Ted and Sheelagh, bought the now 164 hectare Stellenbosch property in 1982 and embarked on an extensive replanting programme, specialising in classic varieties. From 1993, it was obvious that a new star had been added to the winemaking firmament and our focus is on producing fiercely individual wines that combine the fruity accessibility of the New World with the classic elegance of the old.
In addition to panoramic views of Table Mountain, False Bay and Stellenbosch from our hillside vineyards, enjoy dining at our Cellar Door or highly regarded flagship Jordan Restaurant, perhaps staying overnight in our luxurious accommodations.
Jordan Operating Hours
Wine Tasting at The Cellar Door: available daily, 9.30-4.30pm.
Food at The Cellar Door: all day menu available daily 8am-4.30pm (kitchen closes 3pm). Platters available 11am-4pm.
Jordan Restaurant: open for lunch Wed to Sun 12pm-3pm, dinner Fri & Sat 6.30pm onwards.
Picnics: available year round, from 12.30pm-4pm (48 hours notice required).
Tours: on application (please contact the Estate).
*PLEASE NOTE*
All times, prices and facilities listed are subject to change. We recommend checking latest details directly with the farm and pre-booking experiences wherever possible, to avoid disappointment.
Jordan Wine Tasting
The old ‘Bakery at Jordan’ has been recently reconceptualised as The Cellar Door. Combining Jordan’s award-winning wines with light meals, enjoy exciting winetasting experiences hosted by our knowledgeable ambassadors and an all day menu.
Should you not wish to dine, there is a dedicated space inside The Cellar Door to wine taste or on fine days enjoy panoramic views from our tasting terrace. Platters are available, please also refer to the Restaurants section below.
Wine Tasting Prices
Jordan’s Terroir Tasting allows you to curate your own wine tasting, enjoying a selection of wines of your choice – priced from R20-R100pp depending on your selection. For the ultimate expression of the Jordan terroir, our Reserve Tasting includes our Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs, the famous Nine Yards Chardonnay, Cobblers Hill Bordeaux Blend and the Sophia. All wines are enjoyed in specially selected Riedel glasses and this is priced at R295pp.
Should you be interested in a cellar tour with wine tasting, please refer to Tours & Activities below.
Jordan Restaurants
Jordan Wine Estate offers two contemporary dining locations, plus year round picnics.
The flagship Restaurant at Jordan brings Chef George Jardine’s brand of contemporary fare from city to country. The restaurant is housed in a renovated tobacco curing house surrounded by vineyards, overlooking a lake below the cellar.
The Cellar Door at Jordan has a relaxed and fun atmosphere, evident in the modern yet simple décor. On pleasant days it’s possible to dine al fresco on the lawns or wooden deck, plus guests can also partake in a wine tasting flight with their meal.
Jordan also offer year round picnics within 8 private ‘pods’ on the lawns. These offer breathtaking views of the valley and mountains, with the largest pod accommodating 8 adults. 48 notice is required, note picnics are weather dependent.
Menus & Pricing
At the Restaurant at Jordan, the focus is on the flavours of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The 2 and 3 course menus change often however may include items such as Saldanha Mussels, Chalmar Sirloin and Honey and Poppyseed Soufflé. There is even a walk-in cheese room! Prices start from R500pp for 3 courses and vegetarian options are available.
At The Cellar Door, expect filled croissants for breakfast, Eggs Benedict plus a selection of burgers, fish, flammkuchen breads and cheese/charcuterie platters available all day. Mains from R120pp.
For picnics, each basket is suitable for 2 and is filled with delectable treats from The Cellar Door. These may include options such as wood-fired focaccia, locally sourced charcuterie, cheeses, estate-grown olives, homemade pâté, quiche, and chef’s patisserie of the day. Vegetarian, vegan and kiddies options available. From R525 per basket for 2 and R150 per child.
Jordan Tours & Activities
45 Minute Cellar & Wine Tour: enjoy a guided tour through our wine cellar explaining the winemaking process and what makes Jordan Wine Estate so unique. Includes 5 tastings, price from R200pp. Pre-booking required.
Behind The Scenes 1 Hour Harvest Tour: experience the harvest activities in the cellar, taste juice and fermenting wines from our tank, plus additional wines outside on the terrace. Price from R250pp, only available during Harvest months.
A 360° Tasting Experience Of The Vineyards At Jordan: tour the vineyards in an open safari-style game viewing Land Rover, with stops to experience views of False and Table Bays. Includes wine tastings, a cellar tour plus additional wines to be tasted in the barrel cellar or on the terrace. Price from R600pp, approx. 1½-2hrs, weather permitting. Pre-booking required.
Private Evening Wine Drive: tour the vineyards in an open safari-style game viewing Land Rover enjoying the sites and sounds as the day draws to a close, with and a bottle of wine from our Estate range. Departs approx. 5.30pm summer and 5pm winter, approx. 2 hours. Price per group from R6000. Max 8, weather permitting. Pre-booking required.
Jordan are also popular for events and functions. Contact the Estate for any group enquiries and they should be able to assist.
Jordan Accommodation
Tucked away close to the winery, restaurant and cellar door, the 12 luxury suites on Jordan Wine Estate enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the vineyards and Stellenbosch Mountains. Each suite has spacious interiors that are individually designed and uniquely decorated, making them an ideal choice for a unique Winelands getaway.
All rooms and suites are equipped with HD LED TV with DSTV satellite channels, air conditioning, Nespresso coffee machine, tea-making facilities, mini-bar fridge that can be pre-stocked on request, spring water, and a complimentary bottle of Jordan wine best enjoyed on the covered terrace. Some suites include fireplaces and we also have 2 Two Bedroom Suites ideal families or two couples. Please refer to www.jordanwines.com/stay-with-us/the-suites/ for specifics.
Pricing
Prices for Classic Rooms without fireplaces start from R2800 per room per night, the Garden Suite with fireplace starts from R3400 per night (both based on 2 people) or the 2 Bedroom Suites from R4800 per night (based on 4 people).
All prices based on low season (1 May – 30 Sep) and includes breakfast at The Cellar Door, wine tasting, a bottle of Jordan Estate wine in your room, as well as in-suite dinner Sunday to Thursday, or dinner at The Jordan Restaurant Friday or Saturday night.
When Lucy Visited
Jordan Wine Estate is a forward-thinking, immersive and tranquil farm, offering great wines, an elegant style and real professionalism. I’ve had delicious meals here and on my most recent visit, I really enjoyed their ‘360° Vineyard & Wine Tasting 4WD Tour', which I highly recommend to experience the best this fabulous estate has to offer.
So What Makes Jordan Stand Out?
In a sea of competition in Stellenbosch, how does one stand out? In the case of Jordan, they have a serene setting, great wines and a modern vibe, however what sets them apart is their progressive attitude towards constantly evolving. They have a range of interesting tours and tourist-friendly activities, plus are expanding their restaurant and picnic offerings in 2022 to push them one step ahead. They also have plans to make their stylish and elegant accommodations even more attractive, so in the next couple of years I think we’ll see Jordan go from strength to strength. Couple this with friendly and professional staff, quality food and lovely views, a visit to Jordan should be high on your priority list.
The Location & Set Up of Jordan
Situated on the far western boundary of Stellenbosch, Jordan is a 45 minute drive from Cape Town city centre, or 15 minutes from Stellenbosch town. To reach the farm, you do have to drive down a narrow dirt road for at least the final couple of kilometres, so bear in mind this road (Stellenbosch Kloof Road) would not be suitable for large coaches. This is a historic wine growing region and despite its close proximity to urban areas, actually feels delightfully rural.
The topography of Jordan is really quite unique, which you might not fully appreciate if you only visit the Tasting Room, Cellar or Restaurant, as these are at the base of valley, looking towards Stellenbosch. It’s only if you venture into their hillside vineyards on an organised tour that you realise their sprawling vines point in all directions and at all angles and elevations, which is ideal for growing a wide variety of grapes. At the top of the vineyard, I was surprised to see a magnificent view of Table Mountain one way, then False Bay and Stellenbosch the other.
Back at ground level in the main visitor area, Jordan’s key facilities are all close together, facing a pretty dam (with the exception of the accommodation, which sits behind, amongst the lush garden foliage and vines). The notable facilities include an elegant main Restaurant, Cellar, Tasting Room Bar and the casual Cellar Door dining space. There’s plenty of outside seating which overlooks their large lawns so ideal for groups of all sizes. The lawns are also where most of the ‘pods’ are for the summer picnics, under the trees.
Wine tasting can be enjoyed in many of these indoor and outdoor spaces (except the main Jordan Restaurant and when picnicking), however I would say if you’re coming for a wine tasting, Jordan is best enjoyed on a sunny day, as the setting is so serene, with an abundance of shady seating, lovely views and birdsong all around. Note, there is relatively limited seating inside, so do try and pre-book if it’s a wet day.
In late 2021, what was the Jordan Bakery was reimagined and updated to become the ‘Cellar Door’. The emphasis here was to move away from pastries and light snacks to an all day food menu, which is served inside or out on the terrace overlooking the dam. The Cellar Door is also the base from which you collect your summer picnics.
Dining & Wine Tasting at Jordan
I’ve visited and dined at Jordan a couple of times. The first time was in the middle of winter 2019 when I chose the main restaurant at Jordan to host a lunch for 12 members of my wedding party, prior to the big day. It was and still is the premium dining offering on the estate and I was impressed with the quality and service (apologies, no pictures as it was pouring with rain that day and very grey!). On my most recent visit, unfortunately the main Restaurant was closed for the day however I had a peek inside and it looked exactly as I remembered.. Floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the lawns and dam, with elegant seating options both inside and out. I understand in the second quarter of 2022 they are mixing things up here, with a new chef coming on board and a menu refocus, as the restaurant will once again fall fully under Jordan ownership. Watch this space!
In terms of summer picnics, they were setting up some of the ‘pods’ when I visited the most recent time. These are dotted around the edge of the dam, under shade and are relatively private. I didn’t see all of them so if you have a particularly preference for a view, do give Jordan a call to discuss. Cushions are provided and they have veggie, vegan and a kids’ option available. While we’re on the subject of kids, I would say Jordan is relatively family-friendly, but do bear in mind they don’t have a jungle gym, nor kids’ menus at The Cellar Door. This means in winter when the lawns are muddy, there won’t be as much for them to do.
In terms of the Cellar Door experience, this is where most people enjoy a wine tasting, coupled with the all day casual menu. As I had just finished a wine tasting in the vineyards (see Tours below), I had a light lunch and sampled just a couple of wines here. This filled croissant below was divine – the sunblushed roasted tomatoes were bursting with flavour and the croissant was so soft and buttery. Yum! It’s not the largest menu in the world and just a couple of options for veggies, but expect platters, salads, burgers, flammkuchen and a couple of desserts. Ideal as a light accompaniment to the wines and the staff (who looked so smart in their modern charcoal uniforms) were attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. Very much a professional vibe.
Moving on to the wines, Jordan have a wide range of whites, reds, blends and bubbles, which you can order by 50ml tasting (from R20 each), or via a glass or bottle. I love how you can mix and match and they are all estate grown, fermented, bottled and aged. Due to their estate’s unique topography, the farm boasts many different soil types and altitudes, and this terroir makes them suitable for a number of grape varietals (the owners actually applied a scientific approach when they bought the farm in the 1990s, mapping the estate to replant clones and varieties which perfectly suited their unique slopes and soils). They realised for example Riesling would grow well here and wow, what a wine this is! Slightly sweet but so fresh and balanced.
After sampling 6 wines mostly from their Jordan range, I can say I found their whites to be pure, clean, elegant and very much fruit driven. The Inspector Peringuey Chenin was exceptional. The reds were also surprising – noticeably soft and certainly the Merlot and Cab Sav I tried were devoid of any heavy thick tannins. Apparently Jordan apply a gentle ‘pump over’ during the winemaking process, which softens residual tannins and enhances the fruit flavours. They know what they’re doing! Great all round wines and very affordable too.
The Tours & Activities at Jordan
Most wine farms offer a basic cellar tour at best, however Jordan have thought carefully about the visitor experience, creating a range of personal tours which showcase the estate in different lights. These range from tastings in the Cellar, Vintage Tastings in the Vinoteque, a Private Evening Vineyard Drive, a 360 degree Vineyard & Cellar Tasting Tour, Behind the Scenes Harvest Tour, plus a Chocolate & Wine Tasting and Reserve Tasting. Visit www.jordanwines.com/tasting-tours/ for the latest details and prices.
I was hosted for the vineyard portion of their 2 hour ‘360 degree Vineyard & Cellar Tour’ which includes stops in the vineyards for tastings with a small group. This was hosted by the wonderful Thea who was a fountain of knowledge and an impeccable guide. She explained the back story of Gary and Kathy Jordan, why the vineyards and terroir are so special and that all important journey from grape to glass.
Coupled with beautiful vineyard scenery and wine sips amongst the vines, this was a really interesting couple of hours and totally worth the R600pp price tag. I would try and do this between late November and April when the vine leaves are still green and lush, for it makes for gorgeous photos. I really can’t recommend this tour enough and will be back to do it a second time!
The Accommodation at Jordan Wine Estate
As if all that wasn’t enough, Jordan also have a number of stylish Suites, situated amongst the lush vegetation and vines of the estate. All are semi detached at the base of the valley, with views of the vineyards (except the Garden View Suites), but as amenities such as fireplaces and baths do vary, check their website for specifics: www.jordanwines.com/stay-with-us/.
All Suites include breakfast at the Cellar Door, plus one wine tasting per person, a bottle of wine and sometimes even a restaurant voucher. On days when the main restaurant is closed, they can also arrange for alternative food options to be delivered to your room in the evening if you don’t want to venture out.
Inside the Suites, expect contemporary and sleek finishes, with plenty of space to stretch out. Luxurious amenities are aplenty, with many having egg shaped baths, beautiful quartz floors and sumptuous bedding comes as standard. All Suites have a small outside patio, just bear in mind as they are semi-detached they are not that private.
For families or two couples, they have two 2 Bed Suites with a shared lounge. There is currently no pool at the estate however I believe they’re considering adding one in the future, so watch this space as this would be a welcome addition. Note, as you are right in the vineyards, during harvest there is lots of activity around the Suites, as the workers pick the grapes (Feb/Mar). All in all, a very stylish overnight getaway immersed in nature.
In Summary
A modern, well run and friendly wine estate with excellent wines, great tours and delicious food. Jordan really enjoys a charming setting which is matched by their attitude – laid back but thoughtful, with lots of little touches which make you realise they really care about the visitor experience. Come for a delicious tasting, enjoy an informative tour, savour a lunch under the trees with lovely views or better still, do all the above and then splash out on a romantic overnight stay!
Top Tip!
It has to be book the 360 degree Vineyard Tasting Tour. You simply get so much more out of your visit by fully appreciating the length and breadth of this fantastic estate, while having one on one time with their passionate staff. Jordan Wine Estate is a special place and this just elevates your experience to another level and will make your wine taste so much sweeter!
