Bloemendal Wine Estate in Durbanville Heads to Auction, Again

Bloemendal Wine Estate, a historic property near Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa, is set to be auctioned on March 25, 2026, with a suggested opening bid of R180 million. The 238-hectare estate, which includes a winery, restaurants, a wine-tasting room, a manor house, stables, and conference facilities, is being sold as a profitable operating business.

A Legacy Dating Back Centuries

Bloemendal’s history stretches back over 300 years, originally serving as a supplier of fresh produce to Dutch East India Company ships provisioning at the Cape of Good Hope. wine.co.za reports that today, the estate is recognized for its award-winning wines, including Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Previous Ownership and Auction Attempts

The estate was previously owned by a company founded by Tokyo Sexwale, a prominent anti-apartheid activist and former politician who served as the first democratically elected premier of Gauteng province in 1994. News24 notes that Sexwale amassed a business fortune after leaving politics, with investments in mining. The current ownership remains unclear. This auction follows a previous attempt to sell the estate last year that was unsuccessful.

Auction Details and Requirements

Rawson Auctions is handling the sale and requires potential bidders to submit offers with proof of funds of at least R200 million, along with verified identity and tax registration documents. A non-refundable 5% deposit, plus VAT, will be required upon acceptance of an offer, with the balance of the purchase price due within 14 days. Rawson Auctions details that the seller is registered for VAT.

Estate Features and Production Capacity

Bloemendal boasts an annual fruit production ranging from 850 to 950 tons per harvest, with a wine production capacity of 850 tons, equivalent to approximately 130,000 bottles annually. Farmers Weekly highlights that the estate has grape contracts with neighboring wine farms, ensuring continued production of its wines. In addition to the vineyards, the estate includes restaurants, event and conference facilities, and the Bloemendal Trail Park, all currently operated under rental agreements and included in the sale.

Past Sales and Valuation

In 2008, Bloemendal was sold at auction for R105 million to a farming subsidiary of Tokyo Sexwale’s Mvelaphanda Holdings, with a valuation of R130 million at the time.