With stunning views this family owned vineyard boasts a beautiful restaurant and amazing wines. Their wines are truly world class. A few years ago their Pinot Noir featured on the cover of decanter magazine as one of the top 3 Pinot Noirs outside Burgundy!

We were welcomed with a glass of NJ Sauvignon Blanc 2017. It has an excellent balance of fruit and herbaceousness with a hint of minerality. A wow for my palate. I also enjoyed the elegance of the Resonance 2016, which is a typical white Bordeaux blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

We also tasted an Albarinio, an unusual Spanish varietal. It has had no oak but had a full mouthfeel with a delicious leasy finish.

 

 

 

The  Southend Chardonnay 2016 was lovely: gentle oak and acid balanced with marmalade anf lime with a refreshing finish, but it was the Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2016 that was one of my top scorers for the week-end.

 

 

 

The Family Vineyards and the Sear Dragon Pinot Noirs certainly lived up to their internationally acclaimed reputation. Perfection in a bottle!

The Walker Bay Pinot Noir was as delicious and a perfect match with our first course: Duck Liver Creme Caramel. This was one of the best starters I have ever enjoyed. The recipe will be on my ‘to do list’ as soon as we are able to buy duck livers (bird flu has virtually destroyed the duck farms in the Cape this year!)

 

 

 

 

 

Our main course was Hake (fish) served with celeriac, potato and dune (foraged) herbs accompanied by the Southend Chardonnay.

We also enjoyed the Rhone blend (Syrah and Mouvedre), Granum.

The Noble Late Harvest, Lilla was also outstanding. Gentle apricot and nut notes were a perfect match with the stunning third course which consisted of Ash Chevin balls, candied orange peel, lavash (crisp bread) and caramelised nuts.

An amazing meal and wine tasting experience.

I rate the restaurant at Newton Johnson as one of the finest in the Cape. Plan your trip around a lunch to enjoy the stunning views, but do make reservations ahead.