Win a Hemel-en-Aarde Feast for Two by a Michelin-Starred Chef Worth R6 100

A glass pavilion on the banks of a farm dam with glorious views down the Hemel-en-Aarde valley is home to an extraordinary dining experience this summer. Epoché brings chef Edwin Vinke (of two-Michelin-starred De Kromme Watergang restaurant in the Netherlands), to South Africa for an inspiring three-month residency at Hasher Family Wines, where he’s exploring the terroir, foraging for wild ingredients and sourcing from local fishermen. Paired with wines from the estate this is a rare opportunity to see our indigenous South African ingredients through a new lens… that of a Michelin-starred chef whose sense of discovery brings a fresh excitement to the table. As he explores, so do our palates.

A seasonal menu of discovery

The summer menu, once Epoché officially opens in December, will evolve with the seasons and the wild ingredients available. It comprises 15 plates over six courses, each paired with one of the signature wines produced by Hasher, and bubbly from family friends, Colmant in Franschhoek. A lavish bread table comes courtesy of Daan’s Bakery, owned by the Gonggrijp family who were the instigators of this momentous project (they are also owners of Ficks and Dutchies in Hermanus), and their restaurant expertise will be guiding the front of house and daily rhythm.

Cool-climate wines

Wines rooted in the unique cool-climate terroir of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde are the signature of Hasher Family Wines and provide an anchor to the menu: from the delightfully crisp mineral expression of their sauvignon blanc, Nauticus, to their lightly-oaked chardonnay, Marimist, and Ernest (named for their eldest son), an essentially elegant pinot noir. Then there are two wines from old vineyard blocks that they’ve kept for a sense of heritage: a pinotage named for the endangered Batrachella frog found in their wetlands; and a cabernet franc, Cyriel, whose chocolate notes have inspired Edwin to devise a chocolate dessert pairing for the summer menu.

Time out of time

The word “Epoché” means a moment suspended in time, inviting you to step out of the routine and root yourself fully in the dining moment. With a simplicity anchored in a skilled understanding of flavour, of technique, Edwin abandons frills and furbelows in favour of a deep connection and curiosity, exploring land, tidal zone and ocean.

If this sounds like the kind of one-off dining experience you really don’t want to miss out on, simply enter our competition below and you (and your dining partner) stand the chance of winning a multi-course lunch or dinner at Epoché complete with wine pairings.

How to win your taste of Hemel-en-Aarde terroir

Enter your email address in the competition widget, and you could be the lucky recipient of this awesome prize. (You’ll also be subscribing to our free weekly newsletter.)

Ts+Cs

The winner’s name will be drawn on Tuesday, 25 November, and the prize is redeemable from 1 December 2025 until 28 February 2026, subject to availability. The winners are advised to book their dates immediately on receipt of the prize as dates are filling fast. The total prize is valued at R6 100, and includes a seasonal multi-course menu with wine pairings for two.

This competition and its prizes are being offered by Hasher Family Wines, which is solely responsible for ensuring that the winner receives his/her prize. The Inside Guide shall not be liable to entrants of this competition for any prizes, loss or damage whatsoever and howsoever arising from the running, or otherwise, of this competition. The winners will be notified by email and should reply within 24 hours. If you do not respond within 24 hours, you will forfeit your prize and another winner will be drawn. The prize is redeemable from 1 December 2025 until 28 February 2026. Once we have received your email, we will put you in touch with the organisers to arrange your prize. Please note prizes are nontransferrable. Ts & Cs apply.

Competition has ended