Durbanville began as an outspan area named Pampoenkraal that became a meeting place for early travelers, transport riders and local farmers. In time, a small village developed. It was renamed D’Urban after Sir Benjamin D’Urban in 1838, and Durbanville in 1886.

Durbanville Hills winery draws its grapes from a group of neighboring historic farms, mostly established at the turn of the 17th and 18th Centuries.

These include Bloemendal, allocated as a freehold farm in 1698 to an early Dutch settler at the Cape. Most of the other farms involved were allocated as freehold farms during the early 1700s, including Maastricht in 1702, Hooggelegen in 1703 and Ongegund in 1704.

This brand takes its name from the two great oceans that converge at the Cape, the Indian and the Atlantic.

The Cape’s Coastal region enjoys a temperate climate, cooled by daytime maritime breezes from both oceans and a drop in nighttime temperatures to allow grapes to ripen slowly. In addition, the moderate humidity means vines are far less prone to disease than in areas with higher moisture levels.

Two Oceans is positioned as a driving brand in the Distell stable. It is targeted to be the top South African brand in the international premium quality segment. The wines have been styled to suit the taste of today’s consumer with an emphasis on accessibility and everyday drinking. The hallmark characteristics of the varietals are paramount, with concentrated fruit aromas on the nose and lively, mouth-filling flavors. The emphasis across the board is clean, fresh, ripe fruit.

It all starts with a tree. On the wide-open plains of Africa grows a tree uncultivated by man. Scientists call it “Sclerocarya Birrea,” but it is more commonly known as the Marula tree. The tree is found mainly in warm, frost-free regions of subequatorial Africa.

During February, at the height of the African summer, the olive-green fruit of the Marula ripens to a light yellow hue with white flesh inside a large stone, and it is rich in vitamin C. As it ripens an intense tropical fragrance floats on the warm summer breeze and lures various species of wild animals from miles around. Herds of elephants travel for days to gorge themselves on the delicious ripe fruit. For this reason, the Marula tree is also known as “The Elephant Tree.”