Michael Olivier on Cape Town

I was born in my grandfather’s house in Wellington Road, Durbanville – a tiny village at the time.

I grew up on my parents’ wine farm in Durbanville, which is now covered in houses.

What I love most about living in the Cape is the very short-lived summer, and the mountain. Oh, that mountain!

When out-of-towners come to town, I take them to Kirstenbosch for the sheer unadulterated beauty of it; Groot Constantia for the history and Boela Gerber’s brilliant wine; De Grendel for Ian Bergh’s great food and Charles Hopkins’ sublime bottles; and to the wine estates within easy reach.

The best restaurant meal I’ve eaten recently was at Black Sheep on busy buzzy Kloof Street – [Chef] Jonathan Japha used to work for me.

My other favourite restaurants include The Pot Luck Club; Chefs Warehouse & Canteen, Steenberg’s Bistro Sixteen82; and Bistro 13 at Welmoed Winery – Nic’s food is comforting stuff. He does a brioche bacon butty, which is well worth the detour. Also, the tapas and breakfasts at Hemelhuijs are something everyone should experience – Jacques Erasmus is a food genius.

An annual Cape Town event you’ll always find me at is the the tutored tasting of the wines on offer at the Cape Winemakers Guild. So many of my winemaker friends are there and to hear them talk about their wines and rag the others is a total treat.

My favourite weekend getaway is Paternoster. It’s quiet, peaceful, has great restaurants, such as Oep ve Koep, Gaaitjie Salt Water Restaurant and Reuben’s at Abalone House. And always a new West Coast wine!

On my bucket list to still do in the Cape are a whole lot of restaurants… too many, a number of Constantia wine producers, and I must get to Robben Island one day! I’d like to go to the movies more often and read the books on my wishlist. And, a night at the Mount Nelson where we spent our honeymoon 37 years ago!

The best coffee in Cape Town is by Madeleine, my wife, who makes a fabulous pot! I love coffee, but am not a huge connoisseur. I prefer Arabica to Robusta.

The Banting diet has great merits but, like everything, should be taken in moderation. Friends have been hugely successful with weight loss. To each his own. I have known Tim Noakes since he was a student and admire him hugely.

Asking me to name a good red wine for a special occasion is like asking me to choose between my children! I taste such a variety of top-notch Cape wine – it’s my life. It is quite fun, though, to be different and to haul out an import one like a Torres Sangre de Toro or a Zaccagnini Montepulciano Abruzzo to surprise and delight my friends.

I am currently busy working on my website, planining my broadcasts and hoping to write the novel.

Sundays are all about newspapers, rest, family time.

Money…Yes please, I’d love some!

Straight after this, I’m going to get ready for the day.

When I wake up in the middle of the night I read. I am a voracious eclectic reader.

One day I will slow down and spend more quiet time with Madeleine, my bride of 37 years.