There is a particular magic to the last light of the day. As the sun begins to dip, the landscape softens, colours deepen and, for a brief moment, everything seems to slow down.
It is this fleeting beauty that inspired Last Light, a cocktail from Groot Phesantekraal, built around the Durbanville farm’s signature Chenin Blanc in honour of Anna de Koning, one of the Cape’s most fascinating historical figures.
Silky, luminous and layered with texture, Last Light brings together Olof Bergh brandy, Groot Phesantekraal Chenin Blanc, pineapple syrup, fresh lemon and the farm’s own virgin olive oil. The result is vibrant and tropical, with a subtle savoury richness that gives the drink an unexpected depth and lingering finish.
- At its heart is Groot Phesantekraal Chenin Blanc, a fitting choice given the wine’s connection to Anna de Koning. The farm’s flagship Anna de Koning Reserve Chenin Blanc carries her name and pays tribute to a woman whose story is deeply intertwined with the history of the property.
Born into slavery in the 17th century, Anna de Koning went on to become one of the Cape’s most influential and wealthy women. Following the death of her husband, Swedish explorer and Dutch East India Company official Olof Bergh, she inherited Groot Phesantekraal in 1724, together with several other prominent Cape farms, including Groot Constantia.
Her story is one of resilience and remarkable achievement, and her legacy remains woven into the fabric of Groot Phesantekraal. Today, the farm honours Anna through its flagship Chenin Blanc, a wine that reflects qualities of elegance, strength and character.
“Last Light is about bringing together the history and the sensory experience of Groot Phesantekraal in a single drink,” says Groot Phesantekraal winemaker, Richard Schroeder, who worked with Julian Short, known as The Flavourist, in creating the drink. “The Chenin Blanc brings freshness and structure, while the pineapple and lemon add brightness. The olive oil is the unexpected element, creating a silky texture and a savoury note that makes you want to linger over the final sip.”
The cocktail’s name speaks to its inspiration. Like golden hour, Last Light is about holding onto a fleeting moment and making it last a little longer. The combination of tropical fruit, freshness and subtle richness creates a drink that feels indulgent without losing its brightness.
The experience extends beyond the glass through an accompanying micro film, shot in the late afternoon light across Groot Phesantekraal. Long shadows, warm tones and movement through the landscape capture the farm at golden hour, creating a visual expression of nostalgia, softness and quiet celebration.
Last Light
Silky | Tropical | Fruity | Fresh
Ingredients
- 30 ml Olof Bergh Brandy
- 25 ml pineapple syrup
- 50 ml Groot Phesantekraal Chenin Blanc
- 10 ml fresh lemon juice
- 5 to 10 ml Groot Phesantekraal virgin olive oil
Method
- Shake all ingredients hard with ice and fine strain into a chilled brandy glass over cubed ice. Garnish with a sage leaf and pineapple wedge.
- Last Light pairs particularly well with double-baked Simond soufflé, buffalo milk burrata, pork loin, cauliflower steak, and cheese and charcuterie.
Making the pineapple syrup
The cocktail’s house-made pineapple syrup is prepared by combining 700 g thinly sliced pineapple with 350 g white sugar, citric, tartaric and ascorbic acids, and fine salt. The mixture is sealed and sous vide at 60°C for four hours, then left to infuse overnight before being strained and refrigerated.
The result is a bright, concentrated pineapple syrup that forms the tropical backbone of Last Light while allowing the Chenin Blanc to remain central to the drink.
At Groot Phesantekraal, where centuries of history meet contemporary wine, food and hospitality, Last Light offers another way to experience the farm: through a drink that brings together place, heritage, wine and craft, and invites you to savour the moment before the light fades. For more information, go to https://grootphesantekraal.co.za/pages/cocktails.
