Grub & Vine Presents The Santé Regional Wine Series on Bree Street

Santé is French for cheers (or health), a fitting name for the new regional wine series that Matt Manning is kicking off at Grub & Vine and Culture Wine Bar this autumn. More than just another winemaker’s dinner, he has designed it as an in-depth six- to eight-week showcase across all his Bree Street venues.

“I want to get back to the core of what we do best: great food, serious wine, an intimate room with real atmosphere, and a focus on the stories behind the wine. Championing producers has always been central to Grub & Vine, and this year we’re doubling down on that by celebrating a different, diverse South African wine region every few weeks, for city diners to explore.”

So you can explore a special regional wine pairing at Grub & Vine, a regional tasting flight in Culture Wine Bar, regional wines by the glass in The Blue Room, and perhaps a winemaker-led interactive dinner in the Chef’s Studio, and get to know each wine region in depth and detail.

“Instead of a once-off event, our regional wine series is built around immersion. For each region, we visit the vineyards, taste with the producers in situ, and really get under the skin of the place. When you’ve stood in the vineyard and tasted the wines where they’re made, it changes how you cook for them.”

A spotlight on Bot River

For the first edition, Bot River comes to Bree Street for six weeks. “Bot River is now where I believe the Swartland was a few years ago, just before the Swartland Revolution – on the cusp of serious recognition and cult status,” says Matt. Each series will include a mix of renowned, hidden gem, and up-and-coming producers, with Santé Bot River featuring Anysbos, Beaumont Family Wines, Gabriëlskloof Wines, Genevieve MCC, Luddite, Villion Family Wines and Erin Wines.

You’ll find them as optional wine-pairings with the Grub & Vine tasting, prix fixe and à la carte menus. Think seared tuna and spiced pineapple carpaccio with Anysbos DisDit white blend, or seared venison with roast golden beet and Villion Cabernet Franc 2021, among other inspired pairings. Culture will be pouring Bot River-themed tasting flights, and there will be a curated by-the-glass list in all the Bree Street venues including The Blue Room. After six weeks to explore the wines on offer, the series culminates in a walk-about tasting at Culture where the winemakers will be pouring their wines in person.
When March – mid-April 2026
Walkabout tasting at Culture: 10 April 2026

The next region in the series will be announced in early April. Matt sees the series as a return to his roots rather than a reinvention. “Grub & Vine was built on the relationship between food and wine. That’s still the magic. This series just gives us the structure to do it properly; to give each region the attention it deserves.”

Opening times Grub & Vine: Monday – Friday, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Saturday, 11am – 2pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Culture: Monday – Saturday, 12pm – late
Contact 021 216 0035, hello@grubandvine.co.za
Where to find it 103 Bree Street, Cape Town
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