WINE & DINE: WHAT’S NEW IN FOOD AND DRINK

WINE & DINE

What’s New in Food and Wine

Love a good cheesecake? Do yourself a favour and swing into EIKENDAL VINEYARDS for their signature cheesecake and wine pairing. You can expect a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with a lemon cheesecake, a plumb berry cheesecake with the estate’s rosé and the unwooded Chardonnay alongside the decadent salted caramel cheesecake. This fun pairing takes place Tuesdays to Sundays between 11am and 4:30pm, at R120pp. To book, call 021 855 1422 or send an email to info@eikendal.co.za.

Africa’s First and Only Wine Museum

The beautiful Babylonstoren has just opened THE STORY OF WINE, a celebration of all things vino. Designer Etienne Hanekom is the man behind the magic that starts as soon as you enter. Visitors walk through a giant sculpture of twisted vines and roots that serves as the entryway. From an antique collection of corkscrews to a breakdown of the different soils, the space is entertaining and educational. The audio guide can be used to learn more about the various installations and exhibits throughout the museum. Guests can also enjoy virtual reality headsets, multi-sensory experiences, a screening room made in the shape of a wine barrel and a music video made from wine glass music. We’re on our way!

Congrats, PG!

Experienced winemaker and head of the renowned STELLENBOSCH HILLS, PG Slabbert, celebrates his 25th harvest at the winery this year. During this time, he has not only been instrumental in the transformation of the estate, but also shared its journey through some tumultuous times. Since the mid-1990s historic peaks and troughs include SA’s return to the international arena, seasons of extreme drought, loadshedding, rollercoaster markets of foreign trade, and most recently, the pandemic. Nonetheless, Stellenbosch Hills weathered the storms, and evolved into a leading producer of premium wine. “I’ve not had one day of regret about joining this industry,” he says. “Cheers to many more years!” says PG. Now that’s a serious achievement, PG.

New Wine Kid On e Block

Meet ULUTSHA, a proudly South African Pinotage by a team of young Pinotage Youth Development Academy graduates in partnership with Delheim Estate in Stellenbosch. Ulutsha is an isiXhosa word for “the youth” and it is fi tting that it was developed by a group of young, passionate wine graduates and aspiring business people. For more information about Delheim Estate, visit www.delheim.com

ART & WINE WALKABOUTS

Quoin Rock has extended their weekly interactive ART WALKABOUTS with local artist Nicoliene Esterhuizen followed by a 3-course meal by Gåte Restaurant. A er the recent success of her rst solo exhibition, Nicoliene Esterhuizen is showcasing her artwork to a small audience each week in March. Topped o with a glass of MCC before heading to Gåte Restaurant for a three-course feast framed by Yuliya Gaiduk’s architecture. e tours are available on the 16, 23 & 30th of March. e walkabouts are limited to 8 people per day and cost R800pp.

A NEW GIG FOR BERTUS BASSON is March, Vergenoegd Löw welcomes CLARA’S BARN, a new restaurant located in one of the country’s oldest barns. e big idea behind this new restaurant? None other than renowned local chef Bertus Basson. Mr. Basson has been involved in Vergenoegd Löw since 2019 and this will be his second restaurant at the wine estate, following the much-loved Geuwels. Save us a seat, Bertus!

PROJECT Z’S SECOND RELEASE

“Nature knows no boundaries and wine, as one of the most revered of nature’s o erings, does not have limits either,” says the team at KLEINE ZALZE. With Project Z, the winemakers had free reign to interact with nature, to search for the ultimate expression from a vineyard and to push the boundaries of creativity. e project originated in 2013 from discussion between owner Kobus Basson and the winemaking team. e rst wine was bottled in 2017 and by 2020 a range of signature wines were ready for release. Now, the Kleine Zalze brings us the much-anticipated second release V2. And aren’t the labels beautiful? Renowned artist, eo Paul Voster, created a visual expression of the elements of nature that inspired each winemaker.

Changing ings Up

The Breede River Valley’s WELTEVREDE WINE ESTATE has taken a major step in its evolution following the extensive re-development of the farm’s visitor experiences. The transformation can be seen in a number of areas and includes a double-volume reception hall; refreshed and expanded underground exhibition and wine tasting rooms; and an expansive, landscaped rose-and-vine garden. Weltevrede has also welcomed a second tasting room, a new restaurant and a non-alcoholic social beverage lounge is also in the pipeline. Cheers to change! www.weltevrede.com