A portfolio of fine potstill brandy that can rightfully claim the trophy for Best Brandy Worldwide for a record nine times since 2004 at leading international wine and spirits competitions. Established in 1845 by Cape brandy pioneer Jan Van Ryn, the Van Ryn’s Distillery in Stellenbosch earned their first international award for exceptional brandy quality […]
CONCIERGE’S CHOICE
“We Are Worth Waiting For!” Until the time comes to explore the beautiful city, Cape Town. #WeAreWorthWaitingFor Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Tourism says, “Tourism is an economic lifeline for many small to medium-sized businesses in Cape Town and accounts for thousands of jobs in our city. The City, in partnership […]
A MASTERCLASS WITH TOGARA MABHARANI
Togara Mabharani, Master Baker at Belmond Mount Nelson and multiple Distell Inter Hotel Challenge award-winning ‘Bio-Wheat Baker of the Year’ gives us some insight and the finer points on preparing sourdough bread. Over the years Togara has been mentored by Head Pastry Chef Craig Hibbert, under the auspices of Executive Chef Rudi Liebenberg at Belmond […]
FROM THE FOURIE’S KITCHEN
Our Candidate Bakers and Pastry Chefs have the privilege of baking with BIO-WHEAT™ Stone Ground Unbleached Natural Flour by Golden Reef Milling, produced by the Fourie family on their farm near Caledon in the Overberg. BIO-WHEAT™ flour is stone ground slowly between the stones without exposing it to excessive heat, thereby retaining the nutritional vitamins, […]
UNIQUE BAIN’S CAPE MOUNTAIN WHISKY
South Africa’s first whisky produced from a single grain has become one of the world’s best grain whiskies and is crafted in the picturesque Bainskloof Mountains. The success of Bain’s comes down to one innovative man and his passion, Master Distiller Andy Watts. In 1991, Andy became the sixth manager of The James Sedgwick Distillery. […]
FORMIDABLE NEDERBURG
Nederburg situated near Paarl has an exceptional track record for international and local awards, trailblazing innovations and refreshing, contemporary wines that combine rich fruit flavour with superb structure.It began in 1791 when Philippus Wolvaart bought the farm that lay between the Berg and Palmiet rivers for 5 600 guilders. He named it after Sebastiaan Nederburgh, […]
THE EXCELLENCE OF PLAISIR DE MERLE
One of the Cape’s largest wine farms where wines are nurtured from the cultivars that grow on the east-facing slopes of the towering, sun-shading Simonsberg. The soaring peaks of the Simonsberg Mountain have long served as a guardian to the birth and triumph of the Paarl wine estate Plaisir de Merle. It is on the […]
EXCEPTIONAL DURBANVILLE HILLS WINES
A place where city culture and viticulture connect. Durbanville Hills is located a mere 20 minutes away from the Cape Town city centre, standing proud against the Tygeberg Hills. The winery not only offers a spectacular view of Table Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island but also an extraordinary terroir that moderates temperatures – one […]
WHISKY IN A NUTSHELL
“Whisky (from the Gaelic uisge beatha, meaning “water of life”) is a very old drink but it was the Irish, not the Scots, who are said to have produced whisky for much longer than the Scots…a fact that still irritates the Scots!” says Sandy Harper, DistelI Inter Hotel Challenge Judge and prominent Cape Wine Master. […]
ALLURING PONGRÁCZ
An elegant and distinctive Méthode Cap Classique inspired by a nobleman and refugee from the Hungarian uprising, Desiderius Pongrácz, whose sheer genius and vision revitalised viticulture in the Cape. Few people know that South Africa’s beloved Pongrácz Méthode Cap Classique was inspired by someone who spent years in a labour camp in Siberia. It is […]