Harvest, Gastronomy & Enjoyment at "Dusk" - A Unique Wine Experience

2024 Wine Harvest South Africa

The 2024 harvest in South Africa is in full swing. Everything moving is busy, and equipment is finally being utilized. After months of care and preparation, everything happens simultaneously. When is each block harvested? What is pressed? Does anything need cooling? Where is it fermented, and in which tank does it go?

Surprises often come unexpectedly, be it equipment failures or weather issues. It's like a beehive: the worker bees bring the nectar home while the cellar workers refine the product. Then it's our turn, the distributors, allowing you to enjoy the fruits of this labor in subsequent years.

Gourmet Restaurant Tip: "Dusk" in Stellenbosch

For gourmets, "Dusk" is an absolute highlight. Lovers of Haute Cuisine will find everything they desire here. Though we personally appreciate homey Mediterranean and more rustic dishes, we admire the artistry celebrated here and the skill of the kitchen team.

I believe we stopped counting the courses at six or seven. The flavors offered on each plate are remarkable, and nothing is left to chance. The chefs use traditional homemade techniques as part of a zero-waste policy, including exciting, homemade ingredients like miso and ferments.

Details of the concept are explained midway through the evening by one of the chefs during a peek into the kitchen. The service is fabulous—it matches the high standards of the cuisine, providing expertise, pleasant presence, and a pinch of humor. The somewhat dark and unadorned room, however, detracted a bit. It seems the focus is entirely on the quality of the food.

The cost of the menu is around 100,- €, which is justifiable in the regional context. However, the wine pairing at 75,- € per person felt a bit steep, so we chose to opt for our selections instead.

In summary, we were overwhelmed by the variety of flavors and impressed by the team's creativity and passion.