The Travelista

  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborations
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Travel
    • Destinations by World Map
    • Hotels
    • Airlines
    • Restaurants
    • Itineraries
  • Life
    • Yorkshire
    • Style
  • Motherhood
  • Inspire Me
    • Adventure
    • Beach
    • City
    • Culture
    • Mountain
    • Tropical
  • Shop
    • E-mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

A Hotel Stay and Wine Tasting at Steenberg Farm, Cape Town

23/04/15 ᛫ 4 Comments

What springs to mind when you think of Cape Town? Table Mountain, succulent red meat, beautiful landscapes and world-class wine. Before visiting this phenomenal city, these were the things I automatically associated with Cape Town. The wine was one thing I was particularly excited about, especially after discovering a huge love for red wine in the past year. During my recent trip to Cape Town I enjoyed a 2-night stay at The Steenberg Hotel which is part of the Steenberg Wine Estate. Compared to the much larger neighbouring wine region of Stellenboch, Constantia is a small but mighty wine hub that is the proud home of Steenberg. Based 15km south of the city in the region of Constantia, The Steenberg Estate was founded in 1682 and is the oldest vineyard in Cape Town.

DSC_0773

DSC_0655

With a wine bar, bistro, golf course, restaurant, spa and 5* luxury accommodation, The Steenberg Wine Estate attracts tourists and locals in their droves and whether you’re visiting for a week or just afternoon, you cannot fail to fall in love with charm of Steenberg. Here are a few of the things I particularly loved during my stay…

DSC_0665

Wine Tasting at Steenberg

Steenberg Farm was our first stop after our Qatar Airways business class flight from London to Cape Town. After a warm welcome from staff at the main house of the hotel, the first activity on our list was a wine tasting session – naturally! The session was held in a spectacular private dining room within Bistro Sixteen82 and overlooking the wine bar.

DSC_0648

The tasting was lead by Steenberg General Manager John Loubser, who has an in-depth knowledge of all of Steenberg’s wines and an unmistakable passion for the product. We were guided through a tasting of 4 Steenberg’s most popular wines which all came perfectly paired with an entree from Bistro Sixteen82 downstairs.

DSC_0650

The selection of wines included a delicious Semillon Blanc (my favourite) and a super silky Merlot. I was fascinated by everything that John had to say and furiously scribbled down lots of notes to I could remember all of the facts and food pairing advice he gave us. Private wine tastings can be arranged for guests or day visitors and are available upon request.

DSC_0659

Bistro Sixteen82 

After our wine tasting we were invited to sample yet more Steenberg wines over lunch downstairs in Bistro Sixteen82. The beautifully designed bistro has been listed as 1 of 20 of the World’s Best Winery Restaurants by Wine Access magazine. It has also received local recognition in Fleur du Cap’s Top 100 Places, Eat in Cape Town and EAT OUT’s Best Bistros list.

DSC_0663

It was a beautifully sunny lunchtime when we sat down for lunch at Bistro Sixteen82 and the restaurant was buzzing with guests and visitors enjoying a leisurely Saturday lunch. I opted for one of the daily specials which was tuna steak with Asian greens. The tuna was cooked to perfection and the Asian greens were drizzled in the most wonderful Asian dressing that complimented the entire dish. I enjoyed the lunch with another glass of the incredible Steenberg semillon blanc which I tried during the tasting.

Perfect For: Long lunches, wine tastings or for sitting in the sun with friends and sampling the many Steenberg wines on offer. Be sure to check out the specials board and feel free to ask for menu recommendations from friendly waiters.

DSC_0666 DSC_0672

The Steenberg Hotel

The Steenberg Hotel sits in the heart of the Steenberg valley and is sheltered by a majestic mountainous backdrop. Rustic luxury meets rural charm in this gorgeous five star accommodation that is an intrinsic part of the entire Steenberg estate. I absolutely love that the hotel is surrounded by working vineyards and after my 2-night stay at the Steenberg Hotel I felt as if I had received a real wine education.

DSC_0774

In the centre of the main house is the cosy and inviting reception. With dark woods, ornaments and characterful rugs, it feels more like a beautiful home than a hotel. Guest rooms are based either side of the reception in the main house and in surrounding 1-storey annexes. My spacious suite was located in one of the annexes close to the reception and included a reception area, large lounge area with a sumptuous sofa and an open-plan bedroom and bathroom space.

DSC_0756

DSC_0769

The décor had lots of woods and furnishings of the highest quality. The central bathtub was a luxurious feature which I couldn’t wait to dive in to and fill with bubbles at the end of my day.

DSC_0758 DSC_0752 DSC_0765

My suite also had a semi-private patio with sun loungers overlooking the vividly green golf course and mountains that stood tall behind it. The tranquil pool is tucked away in a corner of the annexes, which I managed to make it into once for some pre-breakfast morning lengths.

DSC_0896 DSC_0771

Perfect For: Escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and spending a few days immersing yourself in Cape Town’s famous wine region. The hotel is ideal for those wanting to stay on the outskirts of the city. Top Tip: It takes about 35 minutes to drive into the centre of Cape Town from The Steenberg estate so guests would either need to hire a tour guide or a car to get around.

DSC_0763

Catharina’s Bistro

Catharina’s is known by locals as one of the best restaurants in Cape Town and just so happens to be part of the Steenberg Estate. The restaurant is based within the grounds of the hotel, which means guests can conveniently enjoy fine dining on their doorstep. I got to eat at Catharina’s on the second night of my stay and I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the produce.

catharinas-restaurant_big After kicking off with a signature glass of Steenberg ‘bubbly’, I enjoyed a classic tomato, pesto and mozzarella medley starter followed by the chargrilled beef-fillet. The beef fillet came with a potato and cheese croquette, asparagus, sauté shimeji mushrooms and foie gras jus. Not being a fan of foie gras, I asked to swap the jus to a peppercorn sauce, which the waiter was only too happy to do. The fillet was succulent and tender and was the perfect portion size.

Perfect For: Romantic dinners, special occasions or an intimate family dinner.

Verdict

Steenberg Wine Estate has so much to offer for both tourists and locals and in my opinion, it is a huge asset to the region of Constantia. If you’re looking for central Cape Town accommodation, the Steenberg Hotel isn’t what you are looking for. But if you are in search of relaxed and rustic luxury nestled away on the edge of Cape Town, this is just the ticket.

Planning a trip to Cape Town? Check out my Top 10 Things to Do in Cape Town

What did you think of my Steenberg Hotel review? Are you planning a visit there or have you experienced the hotel recently too? Let me know your thoughts and experiences by commenting on the box below! Thank you x 

Rates

Rooms at The Steenberg Hotel start from ZAR2650 (approx £150) per room per night on a bed and breakfast basis. More details are available at www.steenbergfarm.com

How to Get There

I flew with Qatar Airways, which flies daily from London Heathrow to Cape Town via Doha. Roundtrip prices start from £747 economy and £3122 Business Class. Book via 0333 320 2454 or visit www.qatarairways.com.

DSC_0779

4 Comments

Related Posts

  • How to Spend A Day in Siena, Italy
  • Review: Es Saadi Palace, Marrakech
  • Experiencing Ramadan in Agadir, Morocco
« My First Time in Business Class with Qatar Airways
My Top Travel Tips for Dubai »

Comments

  1. lachicnomad says

    26th January 2016 at 4:40 pm

    My favourite city as it’s where I call home (for now, hahah)! Bistro Sixteen is such a great restaurant to dine at. I love their desserts :). Wow, I’ve never seen the rooms before, so it was lovely to read your review. Happy you enjoyed Cape Town and all that wine!

    Reply
  2. Celeste | Cape Town Vacationer says

    10th May 2015 at 9:34 am

    Great review of wine tasting in Constantia and Steenberg!

    Reply
  3. Head Elsewhere says

    24th April 2015 at 3:11 am

    Looks like you had an amazing trip! I especially loved your photos and decor from Bistro Sixteen82 and Catharina’s Bistro. Thanks for sharing, hope I can make it to Cape Town soon!

    http://www.headelsewhere.com

    Reply
  4. luxurycolumnist says

    23rd April 2015 at 9:43 pm

    Very interesting, I’ve been to Stellenbosch but never to Steenberg. I love the Dutch style architecture and the fact that it’s right in the middle of the vineyards

    Suze | LuxuryColumnist

    Reply

Spark a conversation! Cancel reply

Jess is an an award-winning UK travel blogger based in North Yorkshire, providing you with inspiration for both local and global adventures.

Read More

Looking for something in particular?

Subscribe

Never Miss a Post!

Latest Posts

Review: A Restorative Spa Break at Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire

Mediterranean Cruise Itinerary: Visiting 6 ports in 7 days

Family-friendly glamping in the Lake District with Feather Down Farms

Follow on Instagram

I have my friend @naomipsychotherapy to thank for I have my friend @naomipsychotherapy to thank for introducing me to wild swimming. She lives here in the Lakes and is an all-seasons pro. At first I was intrigued by her new hobby but equally I thought she was totally mad.

With 8 wild swims under my belt now I’ve definitely grown in confidence and really crave the rush of endorphins it brings. It’s such a visceral experience that pushes your body and then rewards it. There are also so many mental health benefits to wild swimming too. 

Here are Naomi’s 6 top tips if you are a beginner and want to give wild swimming a try:

1. Make sure you have a safe entry and exit point
2. Be mindful of any currents or tides. Lakes are safest as they have neither. 
3. Never swim alone. Always go with someone else.
4. Wear swim booties to protect your feet from rough ground. 
5. Remember mindfulness - try to be present in the moment, noticing what you can hear, smell, see, feel. You can’t get closer to nature than this. 
6. Make sure you have a towel and warm, dry clothing to put on immediately after swimming. 

Would you ever try wild / cold water swimming? Or are you already converted? 💬 

#wildswimming #wonderfulwildwomen #coldwaterswimming #lakeswim #lakeswimming #wearetravelgirls
I would have been getting married next month. Inst I would have been getting married next month. Instead, next month I’m re-launching my business after winning a small business grant, I’m travelling the world again and growing in confidence as a single parent. 

I thought my life was falling apart but now I realise it was falling into place, just as it should be. 💫
NYC on my mind 💫 So grateful to reach 20k on In NYC on my mind 💫 So grateful to reach 20k on Insta today. It’s not easy to grow organically on this app but I have always believed in quality over quantity and you lot are the best, most engaged and supportive community I could ever wish for. If you’re new around here, you’re very welcome, and thanks for taking an interest in my rollercoaster of a life. ♥️
If you’re planning a trip to the big apple you a If you’re planning a trip to the big apple you absolutely have to try this New York institution! Only $4 a slice 🍕 Save this reel as a reminder. 🇺🇸 

Where else can you find amazing pizza in NYC? Add your faves in the comments. 

📍 Joe’s Pizza, 7 Carmine Street, West Village NYC 

#newyorkeats #newyorkpizza #newyorkpizzaslice #joespizza #joespizzanyc #newyorkfood #newyorkfoodie
Home! 🥰 But the grid shall remain in NYC for th Home! 🥰 But the grid shall remain in NYC for the next few days to ensure all outfits have been sufficiently documented. This was one of my faves. 

(Jeans are Bershka via @asos but currently sold out. Most of my stuff is old season so I’d make a terrible fashion blogger)
Let me give you a tour of the penthouse suite at t Let me give you a tour of the penthouse suite at the @editionnewyork - where we just stayed for 5 nights.

The penthouse currently sells at an eye watering $10,084 a night, which we absolutely did not pay. 

For full disclosure, this was not a PR / press stay. My friend booked a loft suite and the penthouse upgrade was a surprise as the lovely reception staff noticed it was her birthday during our stay. We did not mention our social media accounts or my blog so this stroke of luck was 100% organic! 

Before booking the Edition NYC we saw online that the hotel regularly upgrades its guests whenever possible. We were hopeful but never ever expected they’d upgrade us to the penthouse! 

Insider tip: the generous upgrades are definitely a reason to stay at The Edition when you’re next in NYC.

What’s your favourite part of the Penthouse? 🗽 

📍 5 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NYC

#newyorkcity #newyorkrealestate #nycexplorers #penthousesuite #editionnewyork #luxurytraveller

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Subscribe for Travelista updates and newsletters

The Travelista on YouTube

  • 3847likes
  • 19680followers
  • 9807followers
  • 2060subscribers

Copyright © 2023 · Design by Gatto

Copyright © 2023 · The Travelista on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • Contact