The Cape wine farm culture is something many travel far and wide to experience and we, as locals, should consider ourselves lucky to be surrounded by some of the world’s best. Originally from Durban, coupled with being kept from our gorgeous winelands due to COVID, has me ready to get back on the grape as soon as possible, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Robyn Simpson.
Speaking of COVID, many of our beloved winery’s have had to get a little more creative with what they have on offer (with alcohol being periodically banned and all). Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West is setting themselves apart from the crowd with a truly unique experience that I can’t wait to check out.
Wine, the gorgeous outdoors, and Nguni cattle valves – where do I sign up? Vergelegen has set up a gourmet hot dog café in the scenic surroundings of their Nguni cattle pastures.
“Following President Ramaphosa’s latest announcement, we’re celebrating that we can welcome sit-down guests and offer on-site wine consumption again,” says Vergelegen MD Wayne Coetzer.
July is also National hot dog Month.
“We’ve decided to make the most of this great news and our fantastic outdoor setting. Guests can enjoy delicious made-to-order food, drink in the views, and relax in a one-of-a-kind rustic environment while remaining socially distanced.”
Visitors have two seating options – a vast glass conservatory, stylishly bedecked with greenery and soft furnishings, or an outdoor grass-covered deck. The cattle graze and tend to their calves around the conservatory, which offers stunning views across the green pastures to the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountains. Laid-back country moo-sic adds to the rustic vibe.
Vergelegen Executive Chef, Michael Cooke, who is renowned for his super-seasonal dishes and sustainability, has developed a choice of Asian, German and French-style toppings for the beef, pork or vegetarian hot dogs.
“The ‘loaded’ Asian hot dog offers topping ingredients such as slaw, Japanese-style (kewpie) mayonnaise and nori seaweed; the German-inspired topping includes mustard, sauerkraut and pickles; and the French-style topping incorporates truffle aioli, Comté cows’ milk cheese, and bacon bits,” says Cooke.
“You can order fries with mayonnaise on the side, and we’ve developed the ultimate chocolate éclair with milk tart filling.”
The Nguni Pop-up Café is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Walk-ins only, for sit down and takeaway meals, for a maximum of 50 people at a time.
Opening prices are R80 per hot dog with toppings, R40 for a kiddies’ hot dog, and R35 for the dessert éclair, R30 gets you a side fries.
There is an entrance fee of R10 for adults and R5 for pensioners and scholars. Pensioners enter for free on Mondays.
Guests can order Vergelegen wine or bubbly by the glass, or choose from a variety of soft drinks or coffee.
“We’ve had a great response on the first weekend, come and join the herd!” says Coetzer.
- Contact: [email protected] or call 021 847 2100.
- Location: Lourensford Rd, Somerset West, Cape Town
Also read:
Secret spots: Some of Cape Town’s most underrated hidden gems
Pictures: Supplied