Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons in Klapmuts opened just last October, but the food, says Eat Out critic Graham Howe, is exquisitely layered with flavour, showcasing classic French technique.

Food

The menu at this winelands venue showcases the wine, tempting with an à la carte menu and two variations on food and wine tasting menus focused on either local Rupert & Rothschild wines or wines of the world. In an unusual take, the wine is the headline, matched below to dishes specially created by talented young chef Carmen Muller (former pastry chef at Terroir).

Wild Mushrooms on polenta at Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Everything is made from scratch in this country kitchen, starting with wholesome wholegrain breads baked from stone-ground flour served with salted truffle butter and duck pâté.

The style is contemporary bistro with the accent on the natural flavours of signature South African ingredients like grass-fed, pasture-raised beef, pork, springbok, Karoo lamb and farm duck.

The tasting platters are exquisitely presented, pairing wines with bite-sized dishes like pumpkin-and-corn croquettes in leek cream, crispy pork belly with quince glaze, and smoked hake with pea velouté.

Wine & Food Pairing at Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The main ingredient in each dish is enhanced with earthy, smoked flavours, slow-braised, roasted textures, and heirloom root vegetables, which complement the big red wines. Don’t miss the signature duck, cherry and juniper berry pie with roasted savoy cabbage.

This Franco-South African synergy of food and wine at this delightful newcomer to the Winelands is as refreshing as the real ratatouille on the menu – or a flute of Barons de Rothschild Brut Champagne served with cold-smoked salmon in a gingerbeer glaze. Vive la difference!

Drinks

An exclusive connoisseur’s wine-list features renowned labels in the Rupert & Rothschild stables from the Cape, France, Argentina and New Zealand, served by the tasting glass (with individual neck tags for each wine) and bottle.

Wines of the World at Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Service

Sleek and attentive, with great attention to detail.

An outside view at Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Ambience

The chic new restaurant offers picture-postcard views of the Simonsberg with a garden terrace for long summer lunches, and a fascinating Huguenot print gallery.

And…

If you miss lunch, try the imported fromage platter with freshly baked breads (R155) or the petit dessert plate of macarons, madeleines and Valhrona chocolate brownie (R40), both of which are served all-day.

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for all their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.

Have you soaked up the style at Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons? Share your experience in a review.

The interior at Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.