I have enjoyed such an active program in Munich, with dinners at Cocoon with the Obholzers of Simelia Wines and Innerhofers of Capelands on Monday night, and the celebration of the birthday of Opulent Living’s Florian Gast at Marais Soir in Munich on Tuesday evening! It turned out to also be a surprise reunion of four of the seven international chefs who cooked at Chefs who Share 2014, the chefs coming from all parts of Germany and Austria to celebrate Continue reading →
Tag Archives: Capelands
Restaurant Review: Cape cuisine cocooning at Cocoon Restaurant & Bar in Munich!
It was a chance bumping into each other at Raith in the Gardens Centre less than a week before I flew to Germany that led Simon and Celia Obholzer of Simelia Wines from Wellington and I to arrange to meet each other in Munich, being in the city in the same period. Traveling with their fellow wine marketers Johan
in Innerhofer and Laura Mauri from Capelands Wine Estate in Somerset West, we had a superb cosy cocooning dinner together last night.
Cocoon is the name which was given to the restaurant by its previous Continue reading →
Festive Cape Town and Winelands Festive Season Restaurant offers!
The Festive Season offers for Christmas and New Year follow below, and will be updated continuously as we receive new information:
Christmas Eve
* Five Flies, Cape Town: 4-course dinner with ‘champagne and crackers’ R395. Tel (021) 424-4442
* Rick’s Café, Cape Town: 3-course dinner R195. Tel (021) 424-1100
* Azure Restaurant, Twelve Apostles Hotel, Camps Bay: 4-course dinner R720. Tel (021) 437-9000
* Franschhoek Kitchen, Holden Manz, Franschhoek: Dinner R300. Tel (021) 876-2738
* Catharina’s, Steenberg: 4-course dinner R695. Tel (021) 713-2222
* The Kitchen, Woodstock: 3-courses R300, main course plus dessert R245, starter plus main course R268. Tel (021) 462-2201
* Planet Restaurant, Mount Nelson Hotel: 5-course dinner R890. Tel (021) 483-1000
* 96 Winery Road, Stellenbosch: 3-course dinner R420. Tel (021) 842-2020
* Makaron Restaurant, Majeka House: 4-course dinner plus drink R 495 . Tel (021) 880-1549
Christmas Day
* Haiku: Set menu from R195. Tel (021) 424-7000
* Bukhara: Set menu from R195 per person. Tel (021/ 4240000/(021) 882-9133/(021) 535-4444
* 1800, Cape Royale Luxury Hotel: Lunch Buffet with welcome drink, R280 per adult and R120 for children under 12 years. Tel (021) 430-0506
* Delaire Graff, Stellenbosch: 4-course lunch R755. Tel (021) 885-8160
* Haute Cabriere Cellar Restaurant, Franschhoek: 3-course lunch R400. Tel (021) 876-3961
* Monneaux, Franschhoek: 5-course lunch R 395. Tel (021) 876-3380
* Backsberg, Klapmuts: Buffet lunch and glass of John Martin Sauvignon Blanc R415. Tel (021) 875-5141
* La Mouette, Sea Point: 5-course lunch R350. Tel (021) 433-0856
* Allée Bleue, Franschhoek: 3-course lunch in Bistro and Wine Tasting Courtyard R250. Christmas Lunch Buffet in Main House Courtyard R250. Tel (021) 874-1021. FULLY BOOKED
* Chapman’s Peak Hotel, Hout Bay: 3-course lunch R395 + 10 % service charge. Tel (021) 790-1036
* Azure Restaurant, Twelve Apostles Hotel, Camps Bay: Lunch buffet, eggnog, a gift, party hats, and crackers. R945. Tel (021) 437-9000
* Asara, Stellenbosch: Buffet Lunch R275; Christmas Lunch R450. Tel (021) 888-8000
* L’ermitage, Franschhoek: Lunch R350. Tel (021) 876-9200
* Rivendell Estate & Bistro, near Kleinmond: Sangria welcome drink plus Buffet, R300. Tel (028) 284-9185
* Rickety Bridge, Franschhoek: 4-course dinner R325. Tel (021) 876-2120.
* Charl’s, Blue Gum Country Estate, Stanford: 5-course lunch R395. Tel (028) 341 0107
* Rhapsody’s, Green Point: 4-course lunch R 245. Tel (021) 434-3004
* Bistro Sixteen82, Steenberg: 4-course lunch, R 425. Tel (021) 713-2222
* The Kitchen, Maison, Franschhoek: 6-course lunch R 650. Tel (021) 876-2116
* La Belle Café & Bakery, The Alphen Hotel, Constantia: 4-course lunch R 350. Tel (021) 795-6300
* Ben’s on the Beach, Strand: 3-course lunch R 195, 11h00 and 13h30 sittings. Tel (021) 855-7977
* La Colombe, Constantia: 4-course lunch R1100 + 12% tip. Tel (021) 794-2390
* Sofia’s @ Morgenster, Somerset West: 3-course lunch R400. Tel (021) 847-1993
* Two Oceans Restaurant, Cape Point: 3-courses R185. Tel (021) 780-9200
* 96 Winery Road, Stellenbosch: 3-course lunch R420. Tel (021) 842-2020
* The Country Kitchen, Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek: 3-course lunch R320. Tel (021) 876-2770
* Mange Tout, Mont Rochelle Hotel, Franschhoek: 5-course lunch R 470. Tel (021) 876-876-2770
* Cape Town Fish Market, V&A Waterfront, Tokai, GrandWest, Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Tyger Valley, Canal Walk: 4-course Christmas lunch R125. Tel (21) 418-5977
* Dash, Queen Victoria Hotel, V&A Waterfront: 5-course Christmas lunch R495. Tel (021) 418-1466
* Ryan’s Kitchen in Franschhoek will be closed on 25 and 26 December.
New Year’s Eve
* The Restaurant @ Clos Malverne, Stellenbosch: Food & Wine Experience – eight latest vintages, each paired with a course. R395. Tel (021) 865-2022
* Chic Café, Gardens: 5 course dinner R450. Tel (021) 465-7218
* Delaire Graff, Stellenbosch: 6-course dinner. R1200. Tel (021) 885-8160
* Pepper Club on the Beach: 3-course dinner R850. Tel (021) 438-3174
* Cocos, Hermanus: 3-course dinner R500. Tel (028) 313-1178
* Five Flies, Cape Town: 4-course dinner plus glass of Pierre Jourdan and music R795. Tel (021) 424-4442
* Rick’s Café, Cape Town: Jazz, appetizer plate and glass of Pongracz R125. Tel (021) 424-1100
* La Mouette, Sea Point: 4-course dinner with welcome drink and L’Avenir Brut Rosé 2009. Tel (021) 433-0856.
* Chapman’s Peak Hotel, Hout Bay: 3-course dinner R395 + 10 % service charge. Tel (021) 790-1036
* Azure Restaurant, Twelve Apostles Hotel, Camps Bay: 5-course dinner plus glass of champagne R1650. Tel (021) 437-9000
* Asara, Stellenbosch: Dinner Buffet R345; Dinner at Raphael’s R950. Tel (021) 888-8000
* Franschhoek Kitchen, Holden Manz, Franschhoek: Dinner R300. Tel (021) 876-2738
* Bertha’s, Simonstown: 3-course dinner, welcome glass of bubbly and jazz band R 350. Tel (021) 786-2138
* Black Marlin, Simonstown: 4-course crayfish platter, dinner and dance R 500. Tel (021) 786-1621
* Café Chic, Gardens, 5-course dinner R450. Tel (021) 465-7218
* The Conservatory, Cellars-Hohenhort Hotel, Constantia: 3-course dinner R1200. Tel (021) 794-2137
* Hildebrand, V&A Waterfront: 5-course meal, champagne on arrival, band R 1300. Tel (021) 425-3385
* Moyo, Bloubergstrand: African feats and music by CODA R595. Tel (021) 554-9671
* Oasis Restaurant, Mount Nelson Hotel: Buffet R650. Tel (021) 483-1948
* The Pepper Club on the Beach, Camps Bay: 3-course dinner and music R850. Tel (021) 438-9551
* Taste Restaurant, Somerset West: Dinner R385. Tel (021) 855-3686
* Ben’s on the Beach, Strand: 3-course dinner R245. Tel (021) 853-7977
* Bodega Restaurant, Dornier, Stellenbosch: 3-course meal, glass of Sterhuis Blanc de Blanc 2008 R380. Tel (021) 880-0557
* Makaron Restaurant, Majeka House, Stellenbosch: 4-course dinner, pre-dinner drink, live music, glass of champagne R625. Tel (021) 880-1549
* Moyo, Spier, Stellenbosch: cocktail, snack, face paint, African feast, entertainment R495. Tel (021) 809-1138
* Restaurant Mangiare, Capelands, Somerset West: 2-courses R190, 3-courses R240, 4-courses R 290. Tel (021) 858-1477
* Proviant Kaapse Tafel, Paarl: Spit braai, live music and bubbly R 195. Tel (021) 863-0949
* Pure, Hout Bay Manor: 6-course dinner R850. Tel (021) 791-9393
* Lookout Deck, Hout Bay: 4-course dinner and live band R300. Tel (021) 790-0900
* Freedom Hill Restaurant, R301, Franschhoek: Spit braai and music R 350. Tel (021) 867-0963
* Rocca, Cape Quarter: 3-course dinner R 400. Tel (021) 418-8000
* Pepenero, Mouille Point: 3-course dinner, glass of ‘champagne’ on arrival R 700. Tel 082 800 8542
* Zenzero, Camps Bay: 3-course dinner R 950. Tel 082 800 8542
* The Kove, Camps Bay: 3-course dinner R 950 with glass of ‘champagne’ on arrival. Tel 082 800 8542
* Paranga, Camps Bay: 3-course dinner with glass of ‘champagne’ R 1200. Tel 082 800 8542
* Rhapsody’s, Green Point: 4-course dinner with complimentary glass of MCC R 435. Tel (021) 434-3004
* French Toast, Bree Street: 3-course tapas dinner R 250. Tel (021) 422-3839
* 5 Rooms, Alphen Hotel: 4-courses R850. Tel (021) 795-6300
* Dash, Queen Victoria Hotel, V&A Waterfront: 5-course dinner R750. Tel (021) 418-1466
* Myoga, Vineyard Hotel, Newlands: 7-course dinner R750. Tel (021) 657-4545.
* Le Franschhoek Hotel: 7-course dinner R1150. Tel (021) 876-8900
* 6 Spin Street, Spin Street, Cape Town: 5-course dinner buffet and dance with welcome drink R450; cheese and dessert buffet R250. Tel (021) 461-0666
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
Platter’s 2012: Franschhoek becomes centre of fine wine!
After many years of criticism about their quality of wines and terroir, the Franschhoek Vignerons have vindicated themselves, with Chamonix and Boekenhoutskloof named Red Wine of the Year (Cape Chamonix Reserve Pinot Noir 2010) and Winery of the Year, respectively, in the Platter’s South African Wines 2012, at The Vineyard Hotel last night. In addition, Boekenhoutskloof’s The Wolftrap White 2010 was named Superquaffer of the Year. Badsberg Badslese 2009 was named the White Wine of the Year. Nine of the 45 five-star wines are from Franschhoek this year, the highest number ever.
The Platter’s Guide, with a ‘Karoo sunshine yellow‘ cover, as described by publisher Andrew McDowall, has 620 pages, with 56 more wineries and 1000 more wines evaluated than the 2011 edition. More than 7000 wines were tasted by 15 judges, which included David Biggs, Christiaan Eedes, Michael Fridjhon, Tim James, Angela Lloyd (her 26th year of judging), Fiona McDonald, Jörg Pfützner, Christine Rudman, and Cathy van Zyl.
In its motivation for choosing Boekenhoutskloof as the Winery of the Year, Platter’s Guide wrote as follows: “For their remarkable 14 five star ratings stretching back to our 2000 edition – which featured the Syrah 1997, a stylistic window opener for the local industry and one of the most important wines of the modern South African era – and for their understated but highly influential role in placing South Africa in the international fine-fine (sic) map, we name Boekenhoutskloof our 2012 Winery of the Year. 
Whilst some top achievers shy away from the entry level, Boekenhoutskloof co-founder and cellarmaster Marc Kent and his partners almost from the outset embraced the popular palate, first with their Porcupine Ridge label and latterly with another exceptionally drinkable and well-priced range, The Wolftrap. The White version of this budget offering is this edition’s Superquaffer of the Year – yet another reason for us to honour and congratulate this consistently exceptional Franschhoek team”. Both Boekenhoutskloof’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah 2009 were awarded five stars in the latest Platter’s.
Badsberg is based in Rawsonville and its Badslese 2009, presented in a beautiful bottle, is described by Platter’s as ‘…outstanding elegantly presented Natural Sweet dessert from chenin. 09 great concentration & spread of flavour, from floral to spicy, huge sweetness concludes on a tangy savoury/leafy note, which is uncloying & decidely moreish. With 10% hanepoot, unwooded’. The Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve 2010 was described as follows: “…shows savoury cedar whiffs, with bright cherry & strawberry aromas powering through tealeaf cigarbox spice. Plush tannins, sweet berry notes. Integrated 80% new French oak, natural ferment. Even more vibrant & detailed than finely managed ’09”. Gottfried Mocke is the winemaker and cellarmaster at Chamonix in Franschhoek.
Forty-five wines were selected as 5 star wines, in a blind tasting of all 5-star candidates, a methodology following continued criticism of Platter’s sighted wine evaluation from wine writers such as Neil Pendock. The full list of 2012 5-star wines, with three each for Boekenhoutskloof, Nederburg, and Mullineux Family, is as follows:
Cabernet Franc
• Warwick 2008
Cabernet Sauvignon
• Boekenhoutskloof 2009
• Graham Beck Chalkboard #3 2007
• Stark-Condé Three Pines 2009
Pinot Noir
• Cape Chamonix Reserve 2010
• Newton Johnson Domaine 2010
• Oak Valley 2009
Shiraz/Syrah
• Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2009
• Fairview The Beacon 2008
• Mont Destin Destiny 2007
• Mullineux Family Syrah 2009
• Saxenburg Select 2007
Red Blends
• Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2010
• De Toren Fusion V 2009
• Glenelly Lady May 2009
• La Motte Pierneef Shiraz-Viognier 2009
• Meerlust Rubicon 2007
• Miles Mossop Max 2008
• Sadie Family Columella 2009
Chardonnay
• De Wetshof The Site 2009
• Jordan CWG Auction Reserve 2010
Chenin Blanc
• Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2010
• Diemersfontein Carpe Diem 2010
• Vins d’Orrance Kama 2010
Grenache Blanc
• KWV Mentors 2010
Sauvignon Blanc
• Graham Beck Pheasants’ Run 2011
• Hermanuspietersfontein No 5 2010
• Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2010
• Steenberg CWG Auction Reserve The Magus 2010
• Strandveld 2010
White Blends
• Fable Jackal Bird 2010
• Flagstone CWG Auction Reserve Happy Hour 2009
• Mullineux White Blend 2010
• Nederburg Ingenuity 2010
• Tokara Director’s Reserve 2010
Méthode Cap Classique Sparkling
• Colmant Brut Chardonnay NV
• Topiary Blanc de Blancs Brut 2009
Natural Sweet
• Badsberg Badslese 2009
Dessert Wine Unfortified
• Boekenhoutskloof Noble Late Harvest 2008
• Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2010
• Mullineux Family Straw Wine 2010
• Nederburg Edelkeur 2010
• Nederburg Eminence 2010
Port
• Boplaas Family Cape Vintage Reserve 2009
• De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2009
The 95 wines that did not make the 5-star rating after the blind-tasting were designated ‘Highly Recommended’, and include Shannon Mount Bullet 2009, Hartenberg Gravel Hill 2007, Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2010, Sadie Family Palladius 2010, Steenberg Magna Carta 2010, and Ken Forrester ‘T’ Noble Late Harvest 2009.
The Platter’s launches, of which I have only attended the last two, could do with more ‘5-star quality’, both the Vineyard Hotel and Capelands not being ideal venues, both in respect of acoustics and snacks! It was noticeable how many of the 2012 top 5-star winemakers, including Eben Sadie (Sadie Family Wines), Hein Koegelenberg (La Motte), and Bartho Eksteen (Hermanuspietersfontein) did not attend the function last night.
Platter’s South African Wines 2012, R159,95. www.kalahari.com and www.sawinesonline.co.uk, www.wineonaplatter.com Tel (028) 316-3210. iPhone application available.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage