Cape Town and the Winelands is experiencing a restaurant boom, with new openings currently as well as openings announced for 2023.
The biggest restaurant opening extravaganza is that of JAN Franschhoek, the third restaurant in the JAN Restaurant Collection, opening at La Motte in Franschhoek. La Motte is undergoing a major renovation and changes at its wine estate, with a Bread-related Café & Deli opening in the La Motte Manor House in February 2023. Chef Chris Erasmus is working with La Motte as a consultant, until February. He is going overseas thereafter. Chef Peter Tempelhoff opens his third restaurant next week, a Japanese Street Food restaurant Ramenhead. Chef David Higgs has announced opening Continue reading →
Whilst I was travelling in Argentina last year, I discovered that one of the Wine Estates that I visited in Mendoza, Zuccardi Piedra Infinita in the Uco Valley, was named the Number One Vineyard in the World, an inaugural ranking of the World’s 50 Best Vineyards, a similar ranking competition as the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and organised by the same publishing company William Reed in the UK. I am even more delighted to see that Zuccardi has been named the Number one Vineyard in the world yet again, in the 2020 ranking, and that Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch has been named the 14th Best Vineyard in the World, and the Best in Africa, as well as the Highest Climber, having been ranked at Number 39 last year. 
Last night I attended the launch of the ‘Platter’s by Diners Club International 2019 South African Wine Guide’ at the Table Bay Hotel. It was an evening of some surprises, and new awards presented! But one thing was consistent – the Mullineux duo of Chris and Andrea lead this country in its consistent wine award performance, winning Winery of the Year for the third time in the 39 year history of the Platter’s Guide. 
On Friday a group of writers was invited on behalf of Holden Manz, by its marketing consultant Tanya Fourie. We were taken on a tour of the Holden Manz wine cellar, tasted its latest wine vintages, introduced to the new Holden Manz Chenin Blanc to be launched soon, and spoilt with an excellent lunch prepared by Chef Ricardo Le Roux and paired with some of the Holden Manz wines. 
Yesterday the 2017 Winemag.co.za Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report awards were presented at the colorful The Stack, a well attended function, and offering good lighting for photography. Winemag goes to great lengths to find interesting venues to host its awards. It is the sixth Cabernet Sauvignon Report presented by Winemag.