Deserving of its own entire wine route, Steenberg Wine Estate might be Cape Town’s best export product. Nestled in the crook of the mountain’s elbow and perfectly placed just a stone’s throw from both the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans, it’s nothing short of a world-class destination for wine, for food, for accommodation and most importantly, for soaking up the African sun in style.
Introduction
“What’s your favourite wine estate?” “What is your top five wine farms to visit in the Western Cape?” “Where would you recommend we go for lunch and good wine?” I’ve been asked various iterations of these questions over the years, and although the list continuously grows and changes, Steenberg Wine Estate will always, always feature on my first hand when asked. Why?
Few wine estates offer a comprehensive experience for the discerning taste seeker. When looking for a place to dine, the committed gourmand seeks more than just a plate of food. Like any recipe, it needs a selection of ingredients to satisfy the craving. To the bowl, you add a lovely venue for dining. In equal parts, add a menu that tantalises, inspires and speaks of innovation, colour and creativity. Next, a generous helping of sterling wines to choose from as the day grows long. Stir until just combined. Three heaped cups of excellent service, genuine hospitality and highly skilled and trained staff respectively. A pinch of sophistication, a dash of indulgence. Lastly, a glug of gorgeously panoramic views and enough foliage to relax your shoulders from under your ears. Bake until your soul feels free and light, and leave to cool as the sun sets over Steenberg.
Tryn is the recipe that Steenberg perfected.
Background
Named in honour of Steenberg’s 17th-century founder, Catharina Ras, Tryn offers a refined yet relaxed dining experience. With a bold modern interior, picturesque vineyard and garden views, and a menu featuring wholesome breakfasts, light lunches, and sumptuous dinners, Tryn provides a serene setting for indulgent meals. Guests can enjoy their dining experience on the sun-dappled terraces or in the beautifully decorated rooms.
The venue
The hypothetical “bowl” that holds the ingredients to the perfect recipe in this case is Tryn. Housed in a historically gabled manor house, Tryn is a beautiful amalgamation of the old and the contemporary. Even though the restaurant boasts with every modern fitting and frill, you simply can’t miss the history and heritage that lies buried in every brick and beam. With a striking interior that exudes sophistication and elegance, Tryn offers a relaxed reprieve between the vines for those who are needing to step away from the city’s eateries, without compromising quality or comfort.
Click here to view the 2024 Summer Menu
The experience
If you had to ask me who’s food I’d eat every day for the rest of my life, it would be Chef Kerry Kilpin’s. With not even a hint of exaggeration in that statement, I’ve been a huge fan and dedicated follower of her culinary creations (because it’s nothing short of art!) since my first bite at BistroSixteen82 in 2021. Knowing that we’d be indulging in her latest summer menu for the afternoon, I couldn’t wait to have a seat on the Vineyard Terrace and let myself relax into Steenberg’s embrace.
With views over the newly planted Chardonnay vines, and the majestic blue mountains in the background, Tim and I chose a table outside. Our server and sommelier for the afternoon was Nandi, who thoughtfully and attentively guided us through the menu whilst making suggestions and recommendations for our lunch.
I was most excited to order a bottle of the Steenberg Semillon, a rare and favoured treat. I might or might not have designed my three-course lunch choices around the inclusion of this stunning bottle, allowing the flow of a very fruitful conversation between wine and dine.
For starters, I opted for the Open Ratatouille Ravioli, whilst Tim chose the Confit Duck, arriving layered and pulled between crisp potato mille-feuille sheets, rather than as a conventional duck leg. Pleasantly surprised, I was already in awe of Chef Kerry’s summer-inspired interpretation of a classic French dish. And it was only starters!
Between courses we reacquainted ourselves with the Semillon, breathing in the serenity of our setting and the stillness of the landscape. The terrace was slowly filling up as we headed into the mid-afternoon with tourists, locals and hotel guests alike seeking early sundowners, late lunches or just a glass of red wine to accompany the views. Inside Tryn, we could hear the happiness of celebrations, the laughter of families, the clinking of glasses and cutlery, adding to the pleasantly social ambience that seems to permeate from Tryn’s inner heart.
For mains, I chose the sumac crusted venison loin (springbok), whilst Tim opted for the ethically sourced fish (Cape Bream). Both dishes were, in true Chef Kerry-style, fresh, vibrant, seasonal and full of worldly flavour. Her signature lies in creating something new from something old, a beautiful thread that pulls all of Steenberg together in such a unique tapestry of heritage.
We ended our lunch with “sweet merriment” – an Ocoa Chocolate Sphere for me and a slice of Ivoire Cheese Cake for Tim. The chocolate sphere is most certainly a highlight of the 2024 Summer Menu, offering a playful end to any meal. For someone like me that is very texturally orientated, it was an absolute feast. Tryn’s signature baked cheese cake got a summery make-over with the addition of various fruity elements, creating the perfect balance of rich and refreshing.
Cape Town’s four-seasons-in-one-day temper tantrum made us move inside for coffee and truffles, as a cloudburst affirmed the heat of the day by cooling the earth with icy rain. We lingered as long as we possibly could, but we had to reluctantly take a bow and leave Tryn to her late -afternoon patrons to enjoy. Not without a promise to the massive oak trees of a swift return.
In conclusion
In conclusionAt R640 per person, the three course summer menu at Tryn is one of the best the city has to offer. Available for lunch and dinner, it includes an amuse bouche and Tryn’s signature chocolate truffle to finish. It’s the perfect recipe.
Thank you, Steenberg and Tryn, for allowing us to enjoy the fruits of your harvest with you, and for spoiling us with what I believe deserves its own entire wine route.
Disclaimer: I was invited to this event in my personal capacity. There was no expectation for platform coverage in the form of a blog, or social media posts. This is my honest and truthful opinion and review thereof. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely those of The Little Hedonist, given in good faith and in no way influenced by the company or its affiliates. All images, unless otherwise stated/credited, are also my own.
The Little Hedonist endorses responsible drinking.
Don’t drink and drive. Not for persons under 18.
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