No better way to spend the summer holiday than to be back in Stellenbosch basking in the sun, enjoying refreshing wines & delectable foods!
*Please note: all information is correct at the date of publication. See individual winery websites for up-to-date info!
Deux Frères
Our first stop, a charming boutique vineyard situated in the Simonsberg foothills, Stellenbosch’s smallest wine farm! They specialise in producing approachable yet complex French-style wines with unique flavour profiles - only 3 000 cases of reds, a Blanc de Noir & Chenin Blanc are produced each year!
We enjoyed a superb cheese & wine pairing – 6 wines, 5 cheeses - paired perfectly to the unique flavours of each wine.
First, a 2020 Sauvignon Blanc with a pale straw colour & rich upfront tropical fruit flavour, a velvety acidity & a long lingering aftertaste of fruitiness. The Sauv Blanc is unpaired and serves as a palate cleanser for the wines & cheeses to come.
Next the 2018 Chenin Blanc, a palate of pears & grapefruit - lingering citrus & a caramel finish, paired with Fairview chevin – a creamy goat’s cheese that exquisitely accents the flavours in the Chenin.
The Blanc de Noir 2018, a definite favourite, is a 100% Mourvèdre with a delicate salmon colour & explosive candyfloss-like notes on the palate. This divine wine was paired with a strawberry, balancing the acidity of both the fruit and the wine perfectly!
Paired with a smoked cheddar, their flagship wine – the 2015 Fraternité – a Rhône-style Shiraz & Mourvèdre blend. Alluring aromas of dried fruits & hints of earthy mushrooms with a rich palate of black cherries & vanilla alongside ripe, soft tannins.
The 2015 Liberté – another favourite – a rich, complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz. Packed with flavours of ripe, dark red fruits with a fullness & balance that is complemented by a matured gouda cheese.
Last on the tasting menu was a 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon – a full-bodied wine layered with flavours of dark berries & spice, with a gentle tannin. Paired with mild, creamy brie, it creates a smooth, easy-drinking wine that can be enjoyed by all.
After a wine pairing, why not stay the night? Deux Frères’ new villa apartments offer views across their garden of rare & endangered plants, to the vineyards beyond. Relax and rejuvenate with their mobile spa in the privacy of your own villa!
96 Winery Road Restaurant
Perfectly described as a local gem, this humble restaurant has been serving delicious fine dining meals for 24 years! Open seven days a week, they serve freshly-brewed coffee & scrumptious bakes straight from the oven every morning and offer small plates for lunch & dinner (Mon – Sat). Their Small Plates menu is a site to behold for fellow foodies featuring a wide range of dishes to choose from! Not to mention their extensive wine list featuring a multitude of wines from local to international, bubbly to Bordeaux – a dream come true!
Another highlight is their kiddies play area, an awesome little setup for the tots with a lovely view of the Stellies sunset.
For those who prefer to stay in, their Dine-For-2 option allows you to customise your own decadent dining experience at home. Choose your starter, main, sides & desserts, and opt to collect or have it delivered – simple as that! Their Deli & Gourmet Grocer offers a wide selection of restaurant-made and locally produced items, so pop in and enjoy everything 96 Winery Road has to offer!
If you want to know more about Stellenbosch or the places we visited, please contact us! – We also do unique tours, so come join us!
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Click here to check out our previous blog “A Perfect Plett Wine & Food Pairing”!
Important info:
Deux Frères: https://dfwines.co.za/ ; sales@dfwines.co.za ; 076 908 3794
Open Times: Mon – Thurs 10am-5pm ; Fri 10am-4pm ; Sat 10am-2pm
96 Winery: https://www.96wineryroad.co.za/ ; wineryrd@mweb.co.za ; 021 842 2020
Open Times: Deli – daily from 9am. Breakfast – Served until 11am ; Lunch – daily 12pm-3pm ; Dinner – Mon to Sat 6pm-9pm