What's new in the Winelands this summer?

Tuesday, 5 December, 2023

wine.co.za, Jeanine Malan

From a Mediterranean-influenced restaurant to a luxury winelands hotel, here's what’s new in the Cape Winelands.

Renowned as a leading summer holiday destination around the world, the Cape Winelands keeps stepping up its game with exciting new attractions. The region offers much more than just wine and its creative visionaries take inspiration from all kinds of exotic influences when dreaming up new wine tourism hotspots.

From a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant to a luxurious winelands hotel, here is your guide to what’s new in the Winelands this summer 2023/2024.

Eleven

There’s a new restaurant in the historic main road of Franschhoek that fuses the town’s heritage with the contemporary. Eleven, located at 11 Huguenot Street, serves global contemporary cuisine inspired by big themes. Eleven is the brainchild of chef-proprietor Ryan Shell and the team at Ōku and Yama restaurants in Franschhoek. “Eleven is the culmination of a dream,” says Ryan. “It embodies something completely new for Franschhoek – a town I’ve really come to love. When the prominent location at the address became available, I knew we had to jump and make the dream a reality.”

Address: Eleven, 11 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek
Opening hours: Wednesday - Monday, 12h00 - 23h00

To book your table, send an email to reservations@eleveneats.co.za.

Vrymansfontein

Vondeling Wines just opened their new brand home on Vrymansfontein, a working almond farm in the Paarl Winelands. The design-led destination is home to a unique offering that celebrates its environment and looks to rethink “the Winelands experience”. The restaurant serves Mediterranean-influenced cuisine and it’s divided into two separate spaces. Scape offers sophisticated shared plates dining inside while the outdoor Tree Bar is a family-friendly oasis (with a playground for the little ones). For something lighter, The Shed offers a laidback menu including fresh salads and sandwiches. For the wine lovers, the Vondeling Tasting Bar is a wine tasting experience where guests can taste any Vondeling wines and buy a case or two to enjoy at home.

Address: Vrymansfontein, Suid-Agter Paarl Road, Paarl
Opening hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10h00 - 22h00

If you'd like to make a reservation, phone 082 617 4903 or send an email to info@vrymansfontein.co.za.

Rykaart's at Longridge Wine Estate

If you’re looking for a place to share a meal with family and friends, this is it. Rykaart’s at Longridge Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch offers a seasonal set three-course menu, served family-style for the table to share. Husband-and-wife team Alex and Ella Rykaart runs the restaurant, with Alex as the head chef and Ella as the front of house manager. The food, prepared using ingredients sourced from the estate’s biodynamic vegetable gardens, is complemented with the finest Longridge wines.

Address: Longridge Wine Estate, off the R44, Stellenbosch
Opening hours: Lunch: Wednesday - Sunday, 12h00 - 15h00 | Dinner: Fieday - Saturday, 18h00 - 22h30

To book your table, contact Rykaart's by phoning 021 855 2005 or emailing rykaarts@longridge.co.za.

Lievland Café

Escape to the tranquillity of the Simonsberg “Golden Mile” of Stellenbosch and have breakfast or lunch at this lovely new spot. Tucked away in a valley, Lievland Café is the new eatery on Lievland Vineyards. The café is located in a historic wine farm building that’s been restored, adding contemporary touches to the original rural Cape character. From hearty to elegant, their menu has been designed to offer something for everyone. Think flapjacks, omelettes, beetroot carpaccio, confit duck leg, oyster… And, of course, wine and coffee.

Address: Lievland Vineyards, R44, Stellenbosch (towards Klapmuts)
Opening hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 08h00 - 15h30

For bookings and inquiries, contact them at cafe@lievland.co.za or 021 879 7892.

HŌSEKI

Located on the Helshoogte Pass, Delaire Graff Estate is the epitome of winelands luxury. The latest shining addition to the estate is HŌSEKI Restaurant. The name, which translates to "jewel" in Japanese, is a tribute to Laurence Graff OBE – the world-renowned diamantaire and owner of the estate. Expect a symphony of subtle aromatics and fresh Japanese flavours, each dish flawlessly prepared and by skilled chefs under the guidance of head chef Virgil Kahn. Chef Virgil spent many years living and working across Asia, including time in Japan, where he learned, observed, and immersed himself in the cuisine and culture.

Address: Delaire Graff Estate, Helshoogte Road, Stellenbosch
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday; Lunch: 12h00 - 16h00 | Dinner: 18h00 - 23h00

For reservations, call 021 885 8160 or email restaurant.bookings@delaire.co.za.

The Hazendal Hotel and Spa

The much-anticipated The Hazendal Hotel and Spa officially opened its doors in mid October. Situated on the grounds of Hazendal Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, the hotel combines striking modern design elements with Cape Dutch architecture to create a lavish new Cape Winelands accommodation establishment. The hotel has a spa (complete with its own hammam area), a restaurant, a bar and cigar lounge, a private swimming pool, a padel court, a cosy cinema, and more. It’s perfect for a romantic getaway or a family vacation.