Idiom is a feast for your eyes and your tastebuds! Treat yourself to a day out enjoying beautiful gardens, incredible views and delicious food and wine.
Where is it?
Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West
Why go there?
Idiom is a feast for your eyes and your tastebuds! The gardens and view are a sight to behold, while the restaurant and tasting room are wonderfully stylish. The best part – it may appear opulent, but you can afford it and it’s an experience you won’t forget.
How much am I going to pay?
Wine tasting from R60 per person (4 wines) or a wine and canapé pairing R200 per person. Pizzas from R110, platters from R100, two-course menu for R330, three-course menu for R430 and four-course menu for R530. Wine starts at R50 a glass and there are also other beverages available, including beers and ciders from R30.
When is it open?
The Tasting Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10h00 to 16h30.
The restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11h30 to 16h00.
Contact details
Telephone 021 858 1088, https://idiom.co.za/
When my cousin suggested we meet at Idiom Vineyards when she visited from the Eastern Cape, I never realised that the public holiday traffic jam through Somerset West and the roadworks in Sir Lowry’s Village would cause me to be over two hours late! By the time I got to Idiom I was positively frazzled and in a bit of a bad mood. However, once I stepped out of the car, took a deep breath and took in where I had landed, I immediately felt better. I felt even better still when I stepped into their magnificent building and immediately ordered a large glass of Viognier!
I had heard about Idiom many times and always had it on my radar, but never seemed to get around to getting there. Now that I have (despite the frazzled and frustrating start), I can’t stop telling everyone else that they must go!
Experience Idiom
The first thing that greets you when you arrive is a magnificent building with beautiful stone archways, surrounded by lush lawns, landscaped indiginous plants and a breathtaking view of the mountains and vineyards. Then you’ll notice a statue of a naked man with his face pointing up to the heavens. This incredible piece by local sculptor, Anton Smit, is perfection personified and apart from creating a focal point, also provides entertainment for visitors who inevitably try to reach his hands, with many failing (including me) as he’s rather tall.
Pay a visit the Varietal Sensory Garden and explore the scents that are the constituent elements found in wines of the Idiom Collection. Each bed offers descriptors of the different aromas and flavours including its herb and floral characteristics. The plants and herbs are also used in Idiom’s restaurant.
Children are welcome to play on the lawns outside and everyone is welcome to simply sit and enjoy the peace, the fresh air and the views.
Food and wine at Idiom
After my cousin left, a friend joined me for the afternoon and being Women’s Day, we decided a little treat should be in order! We didn’t go for the fine dining option, but we really enjoyed tucking into a delicious thin-crust bobotie pizza (one of the best pizzas I have had) and a platter for two, along with a large glass of good red wine. They also brought us a bread board with a selection of breads and herb butter, which comes standard with every dining experience.
The bill came to R430, which is totally acceptable for a delicious lunch for two with a beautiful view.
- Bo-Kaap Pizza with bobotie, sour cream, coriander, tomato sambal – R130
- Antipasto Platter with a selection of Italian cold meats and cheeses, artichokes, grilled peppers, pickled onions, olives, basil pesto and fresh breads – R200
- Glass of Idiom Sangiovese 2015 – R50
Other options include wine tasting (from R60 for four wines), a wine and canape pairing (R200) in their mountain facing tasting bar with spectacular views of the granite apex shaped rock named Conical Peak, I almost opted for a wine and canapé pairing as they looked exquisite, but my appetite got the better for me so I went for something bigger! Here’s what you can expect at a wine and canapé pairing:
- Idiom Rhone Blend 2011 with Seared Ostrich, Chocolate Ganache, Butternut and Coee Chutney
- Idiom Bordeaux Blend 2011 with Beef Fillet Kebab, Mixed Peppercorn Cream, Fermented Blueberries
- Idiom Cape Blend 2013 with Lamb Roulade, Blackcurrant and Juniper, Buchu Salt, Mint Jus
If you fancy treating yourself, their winter menu offers two courses for R330, three-courses for R430 and four courses for R530. The menu includes:
- Globe artichoke risotto with pomagranate molasses, caramelised endive and Parmesan oil
- Butter poached prawns with tomato fondue, pasta di nero, dried olives and shellfish cream
- Glazed pork belly with smoked gem squash, lentil stew, garlic chive emulsion and compressed apple
- Roasted lamb rump with lemon preserve, parsnip coffee puree, butternut gnocchi and shaved macadamia
- Chalmar beef fillet with baby rainbow carrots, fried chickpeas, tomato jam and smoked olive jus
- Idiom tiramisu with burnt orange ice cream and spiced coffee jelly
- Dark chocolate dome with hazelnut anglaise, rose ice cream and raspberry sauce
After writing this, I want to go back again! Which I definitely will. You should make a turn too – you’ll never forget the experience.
Published August 2019 | Own cost