There are few milestones in wine and hospitality that feel genuinely earned. For Idiom, the celebration of 10 years of hospitality excellence arrives at the same time as another coming of age: it also coincides with the 21st release of Idiom’s wine range. The maiden 2004 vintage was first launched to the public back in 2006. Twenty years later, in 2026, the outstanding 2024 vintage wines, which reflect both maturity and momentum, are in the process of being released. With vineyards, vintages and victuals all queuing up to observe their own landmarks, it is the Idiom Restaurant and Tasting Centre that will have the honour of popping the first cork.
The venue itself is set against dramatic slopes overlooking False Bay, the Cape Peninsula and the rest of the Helderberg basin and has, over the past decade, become one of the Cape’s defining destinations for wine-led dining and immersive hospitality. What began as a bold vision rooted in Cape terroir and Italian heritage has evolved into an experience where nature, architecture, art, wine, and cuisine exist in complete conversation.
“What we have achieved in a decade proves that it pays to dream,” comments Roberto Bottega, the Idiom owner responsible for convincing his other family members to build the signature winelands venue that Idiom has since become. “We are blessed with incredible 360 degree views at Idiom that we wanted to share with the public. Adding Instagrammable food dishes that pair well with our expressive wines might sound like a simple and obvious addition to the equation, but it is a tricky offering that needs careful curating. As a result, we decided not to outsource the running of the restaurant to a third party or celebrity chef, and everything is managed inhouse by the family together with a small, dedicated team.”
The combination of food, wine, service and views has not gone unnoticed, with the Idiom Tasting Centre winning the 2025 World Luxury Restaurant Awards’ prize in Barcelona for the category Luxury Wine Estate Restaurant with Best Panoramic Views in Africa.
Over the past ten years, Idiom has continued to release a succession of standout and award-winning wines while quietly building a culinary identity shaped by the intersections of Mediterranean and South African influences. “Our chef team, currently led by Jaco Grové, enjoys a wide brief - theorigin and heritage of the twenty grape varieties that we have planted on the property act as the inspiration for our dishes, often resulting in interesting fusion outcomes,” adds Bottega.
From cellar to kitchen, the journey has been one of layered flavours, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to experience. The wines tell one part of the story, but hospitality has become the natural extension of that vision. A two-hour safari drive on the neighbouring eco-reserve with Idiom’s full time ranger, followed by a fynbos-themed lunch, is the latest experience on offer.
“Our ultimate goal was also to give our Idiom wines a true sense of place and the restaurant has literally helped put Idiom on the map. We are amazed at how many people we meet have visited Idiom, whether to taste or buy wine at the Wine Bar, try the pasta pairing experience that went viral, or eat at the restaurant with family and friends while enjoying the postcard views. Functions and events have also been hugely popular at Idiom, and some incredible wedding celebrations, corporate launches and industry functions have been held at Idiom, not to mention the Italian Festival, which we hope to host again soon.”
“None of this would be possible without the contribution from our hard-working and committed team. It gives us all immense satisfaction that so many locals choose to bring their overseas visitors to Idiom's Restaurant and Tasting Centre, a hidden gem where they can proudly show off the natural beauty of the Cape while enjoying our seasonal food and wine offering.” concludes Bottega.
To mark this milestone, we invite guests to visit between 13-16 June 2026 at the Idiom Restaurant and Tasting Centre for a special daily programme that will be held across the long weekend. Guests can explore a curated culinary journey featuring 10 Tastes of Idiom comprising the most memorable dishes from the past decadeand a wine experience that tells the story of Idiom through the iconic wines that have shaped its journey.
The daily programme will consist of:
11h00 – 13h00: Themed Masterclass
The story of Idiom, told through 10 Epic Idiom Wines
13h00 – 16h00: Celebratory Degustation Menu
‘10 Tastes of Idiom’
16h00 – 18h00: Idiom Vinoteque Vertical Tasting
Opportunity to purchase your collectors case
Bookings can be made directly on the online or on Dineplan.