Category: Wine

Activities, relax, Restaurant, Wine

Delaire Graff Estate: An Unforgettable Destination for Wine, Art, Cuisine, and Relaxation

Introduction

Welcome to Delaire Graff Estate. This premiere estate is located in South Africa’s Western Cape region and owned by the world-renowned diamond mogul Laurence Graff. Its the perfect blend of elegance, class, and luxury whilst offering a unique combination of fine wines, breath taking art, delicious cuisine. This jewel of the winelands is a serene environment to soothe the senses. If you are looking for a world-class destination for an unforgettable experience, Delaire Graff Estate is the place to be.

Wines

Delaire Graff Estate boasts a prestigious winery that capitalizes on the unique terroir and long, slow ripening season to produce award-winning wines. The estate has 17.5 hectares of vineyards. Bordeaux reds and Chardonnay grapes are grown on the Botmaskop Mountain. This winery is considered one of the top 50 wineries in the world as per the World’s Best Vineyards 2023 rankings, securing the 36th place on the list.

Wine Tasting

The estate also has an art-filled wine lounge that offers tutored wine tasting experiences daily, showcasing exclusive vintages only available at Delaire Graff. The tastings offer breathtaking views of the Simonsberg Mountain and the surrounding vineyards, creating a truly picturesque experience.

Dine

Delaire Graff Estate is home to two unique restaurants, both serving award-winning wines. One is the Delaire Graff Restaurant, offering modern bistro-chic meals from a seasonal menu. On the other hand, Indochine Restaurant serves an Afro-Asian cuisine. This variety is inspired by Chef Virgil Kahn’s Cape Malay heritage and his travels through Asia. They emphasize local cheeses and charcuterie in their sharing platters. Accompanied by non-alcoholic beverages and seasonal snacks, each meal is designed to harmonize with their extensive wine collection.

Explore Delaire Graff Estate

Apart from the award-winning wines, Delaire Graff Estate also features fragrant gardens, exclusive boutiques, breathtaking art, and a sustainability focus. The estate is home to Graff’s exclusive jewelry and watches, as well as the Italian brand 100% Capri’s linen clothing. This combination of luxury products and art collections provides guests with a unique experience that’s hard to come by.

The Art and Gardens

Delaire Graff Estate is a botanical paradise with tranquil gardens reflecting the changing seasons. The gardens showcase South Africa’s most exceptional contemporary artists. These are all part of Graff’s personal collection. This makes the estate so much more than just a winery – it’s an art gallery with over 400 works from various artists adorning the walls, ceilings, and gardens.

The owners of La Bonne Auberge, Remco and Tanja Overman, count Delair Graff among their top choices for wine and dine spots. Here’s their take on this stunning wine estate:

Our visits to Delaire Graff and its restaurant are always extraordinary. Aptly named the ‘jewel of wineries’, it offers more than just exquisite cuisine.

A visit to the Delaire Graff restaurant is characterized by warmth, cordiality, and impeccable attention to detail. From the moment we park our car, until the minute we bid goodbye, the experience is memorable. Whether we choose from the a la carte menu or indulge in the chef’s specially curated menu with paired wines – the food is consistently exceptional, epitomizing fine dining at its best.

Experience extraordinaire

Whether it’s for a romantic getaway, wine tasting, art appreciation, or exquisite cuisine – Delaire Graff Estate is an unforgettable destination for all travellers visiting Cape Town. This luxurious estate combines all the elements of fine living to create a memorable experience that you won’t forget any time soon. It’s incredible to see how Delaire Graff Estate has blended art, wine, cuisine and sustainability to create a tranquil retreat that soothes the senses. Visit Delaire Graff Estate and experience a world of luxury, art, and fine wine that is sure to make for an unforgettable experience.

Activities, relax, Restaurant, Wine

The Lourensford Market: Helderberg’s Ultimate Weekend Destination

Weekends at Lourensford

Are you searching for the ultimate weekend destination in Helderberg? Look no further than The Lourensford Market, hosted by The Aleit Group on the picturesque Lourensford Wine Estate. This market ticks all the boxes with award-winning wines, scrumptious food, and 60 permanent stalls featuring handmade crafts, artwork, and artisanal products. So, grab your family, friends, or significant other, and join in on a day of fun!

What to expect

Nestled amidst verdant lawns, gardens, and oak trees, the market is a feast for the senses. You’ll also find pop-up stores, a rustic venue, and an interactive fountain for children to enjoy. The market has weekend live music too, with DJs every Friday and acoustic acts every Saturday and Sunday. Plus, car enthusiasts can indulge in vintage cars at the MOTOR Studio.

Twilight Market

One of the most popular events is the Friday Night Twilight Market, where visitors unwind at Oak Tree Lane, shop from vendors, and soak in the night market. The market is wheelchair accessible, pram-friendly, and allows leashed pets. There’s no entry fee, and a R10 parking fee (waived with Estate Wine purchases).

Winter Months

If you’re visiting during the winter, then the Lourensford Market team has a unique food and beverage experience at the Laurent Venue. This event runs for three months, where you can warm up with the seasonal menu of comfort foods, winter favourites, speciality coffees, hot chocolates, and a variety of wines.

Operating Hours

Plan your visit for Fridays (5 pm-9 pm), Saturdays (11 am-4 pm), or Sundays (10 am-3 pm). Don’t forget to bring your appetite because there’s something for everyone at the Lourensford Market! From egg-and-bacon rolls, biltong, artisanal cheeses to decadent desserts, you’re in for a treat.

What we have to say about it

The Lourensford Market is undoubtedly Helderberg’s ultimate weekend destination. Whether you’re sipping on the award-winning wines, indulging in delicious food, discovering handmade crafts, or enjoying live music, this market has it all. It’s a family-friendly, couple-friendly, and single-friendly hub of excitement that serves up unforgettable experiences.

La Bonne Auberge’s owners, Remco and Tanja, visit Lourensford Winery and Night Market regularly as its literally on the doorstep of the guesthouse. This is what they have to say about the Lourensford Market:

“Our visits to Lourensford Wine Estate are always a joy. Its proximity is like having a treasure next door. The estate boasts of an artistic garden, a wine-tasting cellar, and the delightful Millhouse Kitchen restaurant – all promising relaxing moments either for solitary enjoyment or with companions. However, our top favourite remains the Lourensford Market. It’s a hub for mingling with friends and indulging in scrumptious food.”

So, set your navigation and head over to Lourensford Market for a relaxing and enjoyable time out!

Activities, Restaurant, Wine

Idiom Wines: A Celebration of Wine and Words

Idiom wines—nestled in the heart of the Helderberg range—is a celebration of terroir, unusual varietals, and masterful blends. This southernmost part of the Stellenbosch wine region provides the perfect backdrop and climatic conditions for an incredible range of wines.

Idiom Wine’s Unique Location

This elite winery is situated at the foot of majestic granite mountains. Idiom’s slopes vary in height from 200 to 350 meters above sea level. The 150-hectare property is easily recognizable due to the distinctive mountain shape known as the Idiom Conical Peak. Their soils contain decomposed granite which is relatively shallow and stony in patches with a clay base. These unique northern, western, and southern aspects create several micro-terroirs that add character and complexity to the wines.

A Family Wine Farm with Italian Heritage

The family wine farm has seen many great achievements. This includes the massive project to build a signature tasting centre and restaurant in 2016 undertaken by Alberto and Roberto. Their decision to plant Italian varietals as part of their diversified portfolio of grapes and actively promote these grape varietals in South Africa is a celebration of their heritage.

Idiom Wines: A Taste of Europe in the Cape

The vineyards bearing the Idiom fruit are called “Da Capo,” meaning “from the beginning” or “from the Cape” in Italian. This name refers to the fact that the vineyards were carefully planted for the first time in 1999. The range consists of 19 different varietals with each providing a unique and direct comparison between famous French wines of Bordeaux and Rhone and Italian wines of Tuscany and Piedmont. All are expressed in the Cape terroir.

Idiom Wine Tasting Centre: A World-Class Experience

The Idiom Wine Tasting Centre offers world-class and informative tasting experiences. It showcase Idiom’s flagship blends, signature Italian varietal wines, including the rare limited-release 900 Series wines. Guests can explore the ‘Cape Idiom’ of the great wine regions of the world while taking in architecture, views, and Italian-South African wines.

Vinotria Italian Wine Library: A Journey Through Italy

Guests are also able to embark on a virtual journey through the main wine regions of Italy at the Vinotria Italian Wine Library where a display of 250 wines from all over Italy distributed by Bottega Family Wines in South Africa.

Idiom Sensory Walks: Exploring Wine Through Nature

You can enjoy a unique experience only to be found in the Varietal Sensory Garden and the Fynbos Garden. Walk from varietal to varietal to explore the scents that are the constituent elements found in white and red wines of the Idiom Collection and whats more is that each bed offers descriptors of the different aromas and flavours, including its herb and floral characteristics. In addition this is also used as a culinary garden for Idiom’s restaurant.

Fynbos & Wine Walks: Celebrating Indigenous Flora

Idiom’s Da Capo Vineyards is situated within the Cape’s biosphere, and the garden celebrates some of the beautiful indigenous flora of the area. Guests can explore the scents of indigenous fynbos on a Fynbos Walk followed by the Cape Blend Tasting.

Idiom Wine’s Restaurant: Contemporary Dining with Breathtaking Views

The Idiom Restaurant opened in June 2016 and offers contemporary dining in the restaurant and a wine-tasting centre. It showcases Idiom’s flagship blends too, signature Italian varietal wines, including the rare limited-edition 900 Series wines. The 100-seater main dining area in the restaurant offers a fusion of Italian and South African cuisine in a modern vernacular.

The restaurant includes a unique, panoramic views of the majestic Helderberg basin. You can see the full expanse of the Cape Peninsula. You can see Table Mountain to Cape Point in addition to False Bay glistening in the foreground. Enjoy the Idiom Signature experience – a 3-course set menu paired with recommended wines from the Idiom Collection. There is also an à la carte and pizza menu available. Please keep in mind that the restaurant closes at 5 pm for day visitors but is available for booking as a venue for private parties.

Remco and Tanja, owners of La Bonne Auberge, often head over to Idiom Wines as it’s one of their favourite spots. Check out what they think about this elite wine estate:

“We are always truly delighted in visiting the Idiom Wine Centre. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle. Furthermore, it offers a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. Wine tasting at Idiom is more than just sampling and purchasing our favourite wines. We love Idiom mostly because we get the opportunity to taste and savour top-quality wines, guided by professional experts who provide insightful explanations. This unforgettable experience keeps us coming back to Idiom time and time again.”

Photo Credits: Idiom website and Instagram

Activities, relax, Restaurant, Wine

Tickled pink with our outing to Pink Valley Wines

Pink Valley’s wine making is committed to uniqueness, purpose, and passion for making and expressing a single specialist rosé wine. In addition it is the first of its kind in South Africa.

Located near Stellenbosch on the elevated slopes of the picturesque and majestic Helderberg Mountain, Pink Valley is a wine venture by the Oddo Family of France, marking their debut in South Africa.

The Oddo Family

The vineyard is owned by Oddo Vins & Domaines. A French wine company belonging to the father-daughter duo Pascal and Lorraine Oddo. Furthermore, the Oddo family has existing wine endeavours as far as France, Spain, and lastly Sicily. The property comprises nine hectares of vines, the Pink Valley Restaurant. It is also the only winery in South Africa exclusively used for the making of rosé wines.

Their Wine

Most importantly the objective for Pink Valley is to offer a rosé wine of classic style and top-end elegance while maintaining rosé as a fashionable lifestyle wine. The international sales of rosé wines are on the rise, and this stunning cape vineyard meets the need for premium-priced quality rosé wines.

Pink Valley’s blush-coloured rosé wine is a triumph of onion-skin colouring, with copper-pink highlights. It is made from a blend of grenache, shiraz, Sangiovese, and cinsault. It offers a luscious mouthfeel, and flavours of watermelon, cherry, strawberry, and citrus, thanks to extended lees contact. The winery has a 200-ton capacity for harvested grapes. This rosé wine shows extraordinarily bright fruit, with ripe notes of melon and tropical fruit, followed by a round, beautifully balanced palate that lingers long after the initial sip.

Their Inspiration

Pink Valley’s unique philosophy towards winemaking is further enriched by their love for art. South African painter Walter Battiss (1906 to 1982), known for his contribution to the ‘Fook Island’ concept. He is one of South Africa’s foremost abstract painters and inspires Pink Valley’s colourful artistry. His abstract and witty cartoons encapsulate much of his work that serves as inspiration for their wines.

Pink Valley’s bottles come with four different Battiss-inspired labels that each depicting its unique personality.

Their Restaurant

La Bonne Auberge’s owners, Remco and Tanja, visit Pink Valley Wines as one of their favourite outings. Not just for the rosé wine, but also for the fantastic menu all presented in a beautiful setting with world-class décor. This is what they have to say about Pink Valley:

The Pink Valley holds a special place in our hearts. Nestled in the vines, it’s familiar, cosy and quiet. The taste of the fresh and fruity rosé is the cherry on top. The tapas are always freshly made and extremely delicious, with our favourites being the Harissa Cauliflower, Humus, and Pork Belly. It’s the perfect escape during our day. It’s just a few minutes’ drive from La Bonne Auberge. A visit to Pink Valley Wines is a must for anyone looking to unwind amidst picturesque surroundings.

Their rosé wine pairs perfectly with their tapas
Their rosé pairs perfectly
Humus and seeded dukkah
Humus and seeded dukkuh
Harissa Cauliflower paired with Pink Valley Rosé
Harissa Cauliflower


The Pink Valley’s restaurant offers patrons a unique, modern, and relaxed atmosphere. Here you can share and enjoy contemporary tapas dishes, either with friends, family, or colleagues. One can simply pause and admire the pristine surroundings of the Helderberg with a glass of the exquisite Pink Valley Rosé in hand.

Harvest Table recipe book from Pink Valley Wines restaurant

They even have their very own award-winning culinary book, ‘Harvest Table’. It all started from a simple conversation about good food and wine which quickly turned into a full-fledged passion project. Exploring the stories behind the ingredients, communities, and local producers that make the Oddo Vins et Domaines wines so delicious is the main drive.

The book is full of mouth-watering recipes that range from traditional to conceptualized ones. But be warned, these recipes are not just food furthermore they’re are also an experience! And if you’re smart enough, you will get a case or two of their speciality rosé to pair with the dishes. So, head down to Pink Valley, grab a copy of the book, and take home your very own piece of this culinary heaven!

Photo Credits: Tanya Overman and Pink Valley Wine Estate | Instagram

Contacts

  • 21 van Zyl Street, Somerset West 7130, Western Cape, South Africa
  • +27 (0)78 203 7120
  • [email protected]

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