Bacco Estate: An Ode To Italy in the Paarl Winelands

An avenue of young cypresses leads to tall red-brick buildings with soaring arched windows set among indigenous gardens and vines. You can almost taste Tuscany in the air, and that’s what owner Nathan Jankelowitz was after when creating this brand-new wine estate near Paarl (on the Simonsberg side). The name Bacco comes from the Italian for Bacchus, Roman god of wine, a tribute to Nathan’s love for Italy and in particular Super Tuscan wines. He’s translated this passion seamlessly into the South African setting, with beautiful indigenous gardens surrounding the cellars and gorgeous views of the Paarl mountains from the terraces of the tasting room.

Super Tuscan wines

The Super Tuscan moniker was given to rule-breaking wines in Tuscany back in the 1980s, when winemakers started experimenting with typically Bordeaux varietals that broke away from the wine-making traditions of their region. Planting Bordeaux varietals on what had been dilapidated farmland, then adding vermentino and sangiovese to the mix, Bacco follows in the footsteps of these legends. With Martin Smith as consultant cellarmaster from the start, and Julia Blaine as winemaker, their distinctive wines are Tuscan-inspired with their feet firmly on South African soil.

Vino adventures

Comfortable and chic, the wine-tasting lounge looks into the immaculate cellar on one side and an open-air terrace with mountain views on the other. The six characterful and individual wines currently on the tasting menu (the sangiovese is still ageing in the barrel to look forward to in the future) are divided into whites and reds, in two tasting flights of three wines each; or go for the full flight. We highly recommend the sumptuous canapé pairing too (a stunning deep-fried lasagne lingers in the memory). And take a cellar tour to get more of the stories behind the winemaking process.

Buon’ appetito

The Italian influence is lively in the cicchetti (small plates) lunch menu which changes every month. Nathan’s daughter Carla returned from her 10-year chef journey in London to open the intimate eatery in the tasting room and, together with chef Steff Hoefnagels, devises seasonal menus that riff on local ingredients and pair beautifully with the wines. We particularly loved a gorgeous pumpkin risotto, and sublime crispy squid with chilli romesco sauce and crispy capers. Not to mention the mouthwatering slow-cooked oxtail raviolo.

Save space for dessert. Carla’s smoky, slightly salty, baked brie cheesecake with Amarena cherries is a show-stealer, and the tiramisu is a kahlua-drenched dream. There’s also an excellent selection of cheeses (make up a board of your own favourites) to accompany a last glass or two of the flagship red wine blends.

Driving away from Bacco, the cypress avenue leads the eye to Paarl mountain and the Taal monument, a fitting conclusion to this ode to Italian food and wine, beautifully expressed in South African terroir.

Good to know Bacco is on the Franschhoek Wine Tram orange route. You transfer to the estate’s comfortable bus to ride down the final stretch of dirt road. The beautiful red-brick tasting lounge and cellar were designed by APPA.
Opening times Daily, 11am – 4.30pm
Contact 063 296 2147, info@baccoestate.co.za
Where to find it Bacco Estate, Simonsvlei Road
Book through DinePlan

Discover all of the Cape’s hidden gems – subscribe to our weekly newsletter.