Stellenbosch’s finest put on spectacular display
Glittering night showcases food, fine wine and art
Stellenbosch has arguably proven to be an undisputed jewel in the crown of the Cape winelands, boasting an unmatchable contingent of more than 200 wineries and a string of world-class gourmet restaurants.
Small wonder the town has yet to be challenged as South Africa’s wine and gourmet capital of many years. This is in addition to its international status as the country’s wine tourism capital by virtue of the abundant vinous treasure and gourmet trove which keeps thousands of overseas and local tourists coming to the town every year.
Situated a mere 30-minute drive east of Cape Town, Stellenbosch has enjoyed a particularly good year on the food and wine front in 2017.
What with its stature as the kingdom of cabernet sauvignon firmly entrenched as well as its reputation as a formidable producer of some of the best cabernet wines in the country. This year has been no different, with 14 of the 15 top cabernet sauvignon wines hailing from Stellenbosch. Not surprisingly, as the Stellenbosch wine route is studded with a list of talented cabernet producers – led by Le Riche winery owner Etienne le Riche, who is regarded as the godfather of the wine in this country.
Stellenbosch’s distinctions abound, it is home to Beyerskloof
Wine Estate, whose founder Beyers Truter is acclaimed as the father of pinotage, as is Ken Forrester the doyen of chenin blanc. Other milestones include Lanzerac Wine Estate being the first to bottle commercial pinotage in this country, while Simonsig made history for crafting the first bubbly using the Champagne method in the 1970s.
In fact, the mere mention of Stellenbosch invariably conjures up the image of its iconic wines like Meerlust Rubicon, De Toren Z, De Toren V, Kanonkop Paul Sauer, and Waterford Estate’s The Jem – all blends of ultra-premium quality.
However, topping the list as the most expensive wine in the country is Delaire Graff’s Laurence Graff Reserve, from a Stellenbosch estate of the same name at R3 000 a bottle.
Recently, the coveted Diners Club young winemaker of the year award was scooped by winemaker Wade Roger-Lund of Jordan estate, another Stellenbosch product.
“The year 2017 will be remembered as another great demonstration of what fine produce and exceptional talent are capable of,” said Stellenbosch Wine Routes manager Elmarie Rabe.
Now imagine Stellenbosch’s crème de la crème – its winemakers and top chefs – converging under one roof to exhibit their vinous and culinary masterpieces for the pleasure of Johannesburg’s glitterati. This annual event, which took place at Hyde Park recently, plays an invaluable ambassadorial role for Stellenbosch and is billed as one of the City of Gold’s premier lifestyle events. It is essentially a onenight showcase of some of SA’s finest wines, food and art.