We met up with the general manager of the Steenberg Hotel, Gaby Gramm, and Janie van der Spuy from Five Star PR and made our way to the wine-tasting bar and tasting lounge, and the popular cellar door restaurant Bistro Sixteen82 where winemaker JD Pretorius welcomed everyone with a glass of Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay 2009 Methode Cap Classique.
We started our cellar tour with JD explaining many interesting things about the different wine-making techniques used at Steenberg. I think it is best that I don't go into the details here as I learnt so much and, as I'm not capable of writing shorthand, my incredibly cryptic notes might make me tell you things about blending a bubbly that are totally untrue. So let's leave it to the experts, shall we? After the cellar tour, we popped another bubbly and enjoyed some delectable tastings prepared by Bistro Sixteen82's executive chef and bistro specialist, Brad Ball.
JD and Gaby accompanied us on a walk through the vineyards and I was blown away by the absolutely magnificent view of Steenberg's vineyards, golf course and False Bay. Being only a 20-minute drive away from the heart of Cape Town, this is the perfect destination for breaking away for a weekend to relax, be spoiled and embrace the 325-year history of Steenberg - the Cape's oldest farm.
Lunch was held at the renowned Catharina's fine-dining restaurant, where executive chef Garth Almazan prepared a tantalising three-course meal for us. Now I am no food expert, but I do know when I am eating five-star food! For starters, Garth prepared oxtail and sweetbreads with scallop on the side. Sweetbreads, by the way, have nothing to do with bread; it is something very different indeed - very tasty, but very different. Once again, I won't go into too much detail as Catharina's food is something you have to experience for yourself. With each meal, we tasted a different wine (of course) and this is where JD introduced me to my new favourite red wine. The Steenberg Nebbiolo 2009 is a beautiful light-coloured wine with strawberry preserve, dried prunes, sour cherries and forest floor on the nose.
Catharina's will be serving up its famed fireside "Winter Warmers" during the cold, rainy months ahead, which provide an excellent value, gourmet dining indulgence. The Winter Warmer menus offer select dishes from executive chef Garth Almazan's inspired á la carte menu, with a choice of a two-course set menu lunch at R165, a three-course lunch at R195, and a three-course dinner at R215.
Feeling relaxed and lazy after lunch, we decided to go to check out our room. We were booked in to one of the Heritage Suites for the night - as if we weren't spoiled enough throughout the day! The Steenberg Hotel provides deluxe accommodation comprising 21 rooms and three Heritage Suites set amongst the vineyards. The Heritage Suites are contemporary interpretations of the three historic periods in the history of the Cape. We stayed in The Khoi Khoi suite, which is a two-bedroomed duplex suite of 163m² and shares a private pool with the Dutch East India suite next door. The living room is very cosy with a fireplace that made us feel right at home. I must admit that the bathroom was my favourite part, complete with underfloor heating, a huge shower, heavenly bathtub and yes, of course, a TV. The Khoi Khoi suite contains artefacts and a selection of original illustrations depicting the Khoi-Khoi's marvellous animated paintings on rocks and caves walls found throughout South Africa.
Late in the afternoon we checked in at the Ginko Spa for some revitalising treatments. After a refreshing steam bath, I had the Ginkgo "Elixir"© Signature Massage. This personalised signature treatment incorporates a selection of massage techniques unique to your individual requirements using LTI Aromeotherapy oils and Babor Thermal Lotion. What a treat! The service at the spa was top notch and the staff very friendly. A few other facilities at Steenberg include an 18-hole championship golf course, two swimming pools and a hairdressing salon.
The service at Steenberg is very professional and each and every staff member makes you feel like royalty. I could easily, perhaps too easily, get used to such five-star treatment.
For more information, go to www.steenberghotel.com or follow them on Twitter @SteenbergHotel
