Jean-Vincent Ridon - JV to his mates - makes some awesome wines. We shared a glass or two of his wines on Monday evening when I popped in to his new wine venture in the City Center. With food from HQ and Caveau, two of the best foodie places in Cape Town and JV and his business partner Kyle sorting out the wines, the Signal Hill City winery is going to be a winner. There is so much going on and JV and Kyle are great hosts.
If you love wine, this is the place for you. If you love wine and food, pitch a tent outside. It really is that good.
SIGNAL HILL, THE CITY WINERY
Reuniting the city of Cape Town with its glorious past of growing vines and producing wine, Signal Hill Winery is opening its new micro experimental winery to the public, in Heritage Square. This historic building dates back to 1771, and is in the very heart of the city.
Established in 1997, Signal Hill Winery re-ignited the flame that was lit 350 years ago, putting the South African wine industry onto a path made of honourable tradition and innovative experimentation, in the process of creating wines celebrated both in South Africa and internationally.
Under the management of Kyle Zulch, and JV Ridon, both renowned winemakers, Signal Hill winery is offering "première" wines, and unmatchable experiences - from exotic cultivars, to rejuvenated ancient methods, and a new generation of world class wines nurtured and carefully crafted with passion and hedonism.
The new interactive winery will offer barrel tastings, blending classes, sparkling wine disgorgement classes, and tutored wine tastings. Depending on the season, visitors will be able to participate in the harvest activities of the city vineyards, the crushing and pressing of the grapes in a traditional wood basket-press and assist with racking or bottling of some of Signal Hill’s iconic wines.
But to make the experience truly unforgettable, Signal Hill Winery is welcoming wine lovers to its wine bar and restaurant. Signal Hill wines along with other internationally acclaimed wines will be available to match the most exciting foods. Grenache Blanc with tuna sashimi, Petit Verdot with a grilled grain fed beef sirloin or the very rare Camps Bay wine with a paired creation of our chefs
Open 11:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday, and 12:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, Signal Hill Winery will also be offering exclusive wine dinners with the celebrity Sommelier Jorg Pfüzner, from Fine Wine Events. These small dinners inside the winery, will be based on rare and vintage wines, paired with the creativity of our chefs. These exclusive events will be offered to Signal Hill faithful supporters, and will include mind blowing rarities... The coming months events will be based around 1923 Romanée Saint Vivant from Burgundy, or 1947 Clos d'Eglise from Pomerol, not mentioning 1950 Barsac Sauterne or 1957 Chateauneuf du Pape, specially flown from collectors' European cellars.
During the harvest season, the City Vineyards Festival will take place on Heritage Square, and the grapes from Signal Hill Winery’s vineyards in Oranjezicht, Camps Bay and Kalk Bay will be pressed on our premises and be open to the public. This will allow all wine lovers to grab a magical touch of the harvest, in the heart of the city, as it first happened in February 1659, a few blocks away from our historic winery. As a journey into the past, the oldest known fruit bearing vine of the Southern Hemisphere, believed to have survived since the 18th century, will be harvested by Signal Hill’s team of winemakers, and handcrafted into a legacy wine, a living legend.
Learn more about Signal Hill tastings and experiences on our website, www.winery.co.za and join us - For an educational wine tasting, a teasing glass of wine with friends or a full food and wine pairing moment led by our winemakers for a more personal touch - something unique in the wine world..
Signal Hill winery is located 100 Shortmarket street, Heritage Square, Cape Town. For more information: info@winery.co.za
