Less than 15 minutes away from the university town of Stellenbosch, heading out towards Franschhoek, is Glen Carlou Vineyards. For the past 13 years, it has been a destination for long, languid lunches resplendent with incredible views from the terrace or inside the restaurant. Chef Johan makes beautiful dishes in a modern style while paying homage to the history and comfort of family recipes.
The restaurant’s focus on using locally sourced, organic and sustainably produced ingredients results in a menu that appeals to a wide range of diners, from vegans to flexitarians.
Aside from the seasonal menu, weekly blackboard specials are also available. Although open seven days a week, weekends are especially busy, so table reservations are encouraged. Once you have the table, it’s yours for as long as you wish—no rushing to finish up before the next reservation arrives. Leisurely indulgence. Space to be and breathe.
Time passes blissfully and easily in the Visitor Centre, which is open daily from 9am. There are three sets of tastings to be enjoyed, with Lakrids being the most unique, unusual and compelling. Lakrids by Bülow is an imported Danish delight: chocolate-coated liquorice.
The intriguing flavours of the liquorice, such as passionfruit, sea salt, caramel and salmiak, make for an intriguing pairing with the wines. There are also seasonally released flavours like crispy mint and butter cookie. The pairing truly is a fantastic and mouth-watering experience, which further attests to how Glen Carlou delights in making the ordinary extraordinary. The Lakrids are available for purchase at the estate, and they certainly do test your willpower, as one is never enough.
Along with an international footprint across 47 countries and a solid distribution within South Africa, Glen Carlou is a highly regarded and credible wine brand. For the past six years, Johnnie Calitz has been guiding the wines on their journey through the cellar. A most accomplished and charming gentleman, he has a high attention to detail and is calm and precise in his ways of working, be it mentoring his winery team, judging on wine panels, or creating distinctively characterful wines.
Pick a colour, any colour, and you will be surely rewarded as the range of wines is recognised locally and internationally. The hospitality team is always thrilled to share information, and frequently the gentle buzz of voices and laughter demonstrates the ease with which they engage with guests. Should a more solo experience be desired, QR codes on back labels or the brand wheel will take you to a link tree to explore further.
The gallery is an impressive 480 square metres of space waiting to be explored. Differentiated and varied exhibitions invariably force you to stop and observe.
The art is intended to evoke an array of emotions and reactions, and whether you pause to intently examine a piece or gloss past another, the experience is what counts. The gallery is to be enjoyed by all, whatever their levels of interest in or exposure to art may be. As here too, conversations abound when more detailed technical discussions ensue between guests and the in-house gallery manager. If an item is something to buy and keep, reputable couriers can deliver it anywhere in South Africa or around the world.
Whether you are partying with varietals from the Petites range, relishing a glass of Core or Collection wines accompanied by a meal, or sipping solo while enjoying the view across the valley from the terrace, your enjoyment of the space, being present and invigorated by the fresh air, signals that the goal has been achieved. Take some time for yourself and unwind.
For more information:
- Visit the website: www.glencarlou.com
- Contact:021 8755528
- To book a lunch table – [email protected]
- To book a wine tasting – [email protected]
- Gallery enquiries – [email protected]
- General enquiries – [email protected]
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Picture: Supplied
