14/01/2026
Warning: this is a long post — but so many of you have asked and we will email it to those that have asked for that too
Some visits stay with you a lifetime — and our time at Jordan wine estate Stellenbosch is firmly in that category.
We’ve known Gary and Kathy Jordan for many years, sold their wines from the very beginning, and are even “neighbours” back in the UK. Yet despite having visited South Africa before, this was our very first time experiencing their estate in Stellenbosch. We always knew it would be special — after all, everything they touch turns to gold (we fondly call them the Midas family). Decide to make a gin and, within two weeks of launch, it wins Best Gin. Release an English Chardonnay in the UK and it wins multiple Gold awards. Impressive achievements in their own right — and yet still small (for now) in comparison to what they have achieved in South Africa.
Even knowing what they have created at their Mousehall Estate in Mayfield, we were completely blown away by the majesty, beauty and ambience of Jordan Wine Estate. The setting is breathtaking, the atmosphere calm and confident, and the staff — quite simply — exceptional. And that was before we even tasted the wines.
We were extremely fortunate to stay at “The Villa” at the very top of the estate — a truly special, luxury experience with spectacular views and a sense of peace that perfectly reflects the soul of the place.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear this is not just a winery, but a living expression of family, place and philosophy. Gary and Kathy are warm, generous hosts who strike the perfect balance between professionalism and heartfelt hospitality. Walking the vineyards with them brings the landscape to life. Their explanation of the terroir, the maritime influence of False Bay, and the meticulous viticultural decisions reveal a quiet confidence built on decades of experience rather than marketing gloss. There’s a refreshing honesty in how both successes and challenges are discussed, woven together with a lifetime of lovely family stories. Their passion is so deep it feels as though they’ve known every vine and every animal personally for a lifetime. It is also such a joy to see how Gary and Kathy know and interact with every member of the team they come across, and how they genuinely celebrate their success
We honestly struggle to find the words to describe just how magical this estate is. 164 hectares of pure paradise! We were very happy that Gary and Kathy were there during our stay, but we are certain that even if they weren’t, you simply wouldn’t notice — their team is that exceptional. Every single person we spoke to shared the same love and passion for the estate. You feel less like a visitor and more like a truly welcomed friend.
The accommodation is beautifully done, and don’t even get us started on the two-plate restaurant (the South African equivalent of Michelin) — it is an absolute must. Everything we ate, right down to the meal delivered to our room in their magical Wonderbag, was utterly delicious and thoughtfully prepared. One of the most memorable moments for us, was breakfast on the deck overlooking one of their lakes, sitting quietly as the birds quite literally woke up around us — an experience not to be missed.
All of this… and we haven’t even mentioned the wines properly yet. For now, we have to say that the 2024 unoaked Chardonnay is, quite frankly, the best we have ever known it. We were also so happy to be able to taste the wonderful single Vineyard Timepiece and the Sophia 2018 — truly memorable wines.
To allow all of you to enjoy Jordan wines with us, we will be running a special offer on the range soon — details to follow very soon.
For now, all you need to know is this: if you are coming to South Africa, Jordan Wine Estate is an absolute must. And if you’re not? Start making plans! 🍷✨
