Wood-fired pizzas, Mediterranean flavours and a spotlight on terroir.
There’s a sense of discovery when arriving at Stellenbosch Reserve… following the Annandale Road along a single-track avenue, you emerge on top of the world, surrounded by rolling vineyards and dramatic views of the Helderberg Mountains. Just above its sibling-in-wine, Rust en Vrede, the restaurant and tasting room is in the heart of the district’s “Golden Triangle”, so you’re immediately immersed in the terroir of the wines you’ll be tasting. The Stellenbosch Reserve wine brand was originally conceived by Jean Englebrecht in 2005 as a love letter to the Stellenbosch Winelands, and it has settled into its new home (on the former Haskell property) as if it’s always been here.
A wide flagstone patio flecked by dappled shade from mature trees serves both tasting room and restaurant, soaking up the views, with wide lawns on each side and vines dropping away in front. Indoors you’ll find rustic contours and clean contemporary decor, with folding doors bringing the outside in. On the walls, historic photographs pay homage to the winery’s ties to Stellenbosch town and its viticultural heritage.
View-drenched wine-tasting
The umbrella-shaded terrace is the ideal spot for a leisurely glass of wine or a full-on tasting. The Stellenbosch Reserve range covers a diverse line-up (both red and white) of six single varietals and one blend, that are a true representation of the surrounding terroir. And you can also taste wines from the other brands within the Stellenbosch Collection, including Donkiesbaai, Cirrus and Afrikaans, so there’s something for every palate.
Wood-fired cooking
The wood-fired oven is the centrepiece of the restaurant kitchen. The menu combines the sophistication of Mediterranean cuisine with the rustic charm of home cooking, with a focus on local ingredients and sustainable sourcing. Think crispy wood-fired pizzas (named for Stellenbosch landmarks), house-made linguine and pappardelle pastas, meltingly tender slow-roast lamb, pork belly, and baby chicken roasted to perfection. Then there’s Chalmar beef fillet, a roosterkoek burger, linefish and an array of salads and sides… it’s fresh and delicious food that appeals to the whole family.
A relaxed but elegant and quintessentially Stellenbosch spot to soak up the glorious wine-country ambience.
Opening times Tasting: Tuesday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Lunch: Tuesday – Sunday, 12pm – 3pm
Dinner: Wednesday – Saturday, 6.30pm – 9pm
Contact 072 480 0073, restaurant@thestellenboschreserve.com
Where to find it Stellenbosch Reserve, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
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