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Delaire Graff Indochine in Stellenbosch South Africa

October 14, 2016 by Lynn 8 Comments

DINNER AT DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE’S INDOCHINE RESTAURANT IN STELLENBOSCH SOUTH AFRICA

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Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

Our first wine experience in South Africa’s famous Stellenbosch wine region is a dinner with wine pairings at Indochine, the fine dining restaurant at the magnificent Delaire Graff Estate.

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Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

Our reservation is at 8pm, but we arrive early to have some time to visit this ultra-luxurious Relais & Chateaux property.

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Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

Owned by Laurence Graff OBE who made his fortune in the diamond trade, the Delaire Graff Estate is another type of jewel … a knock-out of a world-class property with Mr. Graff’s signature of elegance and rare beauty everywhere, and perhaps no more so than in the fabulous art collection throughout the property and the architectural setting which features strikingly beautiful views over the vineyards of Stellenbosch and the surrounding mountains from a multitude of vantage points.

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Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

Watching the sunset from the apex of the Delaire domaine is a truly magical experience, enhanced by the anticipation of an outstanding gastronomic evening.

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Indochine Restaurant ~ Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

This past year Delaire Graff has placed first in South Africa’s premier wine competition, winning the title of Most Successful Producer Overall in the 2016 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show that recognizes the best local wines and wineries and honors excellence in the industry.

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Luxurious Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa houses the Indochine Restaurant ~ Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

Plus, Delaire Graff Estate also won two top awards this year for its Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Could the evening be any more spectacular than we anticipated?  Yes, when Indochine’s Head Chef, Virgil Kahn, comes over to introduce himself and offers to prepare some of his signature dishes for us in a special food and wine pairing built upon our individual preferences and showcasing Delaire Graff’s award-winning wines.  The sun continues to set, the views are extraordinary from the floor-to-ceiling windows of this stunning restaurant, and the very attentive sommelier pours two glasses of pale lemon, award-winning Sunrise Brut, Method Cap Classique.  Zesty and fresh.  More magic!

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Amuse-bouches at Indochine Restaurant ~ Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

The waiter arrives with a most delectable trio of amuse-bouches … Fish croquette with Yuzu emulsion, sweet Indonesian Dal with Falafel, and Thai Beef Mahor with pickled Plum.

It becomes crystal clear that Chef Kahn works wonders with Asian-inspired food, enhancing with his highly skilled French technique and his personal South African twist.

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Spectacular Prawn Vegetable Salad of Indochine Restaurant ~ Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

The lightness and freshness of the food and the little bursts of flavor in our mouth are very appealing as we enjoy an assortment of appetizers showcasing the fresh Asian herbs, micro greens and vegetables of the Estate’s own greenhouse.  Prawn Vegetable Salad with kakiage, avocado purée, pickled ginger, pickled daikon, lemon soy dressing is simply spectacular and pairs fabulously with the Estate’s crisp and dry Cabernet Franc Rosé with its under notes of red fruit.   The Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc, thanks to its tropical fruit flavors and crisp acidity, pairs beautifully with the Pickled Beef tongue with mustard greens and the Fermented Cabbage and Kimchi salad.

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Next is an entremets of Pear and Passion Fruit Sorbet, perfectly accompanied by Delaire Estate’s elegant, award-winning Chardonnay Banghoek Réserve 2015 with its hint of vanilla and honeycomb.

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The alternative pairing of a Shiraz with lots of personality, thanks to its hint of spicy white pepper and aroma of dark red fruit, is the perfect wine to sip while we savor and reflect upon the creative new combinations of flavors and textures we are experiencing.

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Balinese Duck at Indochine Restaurant ~ Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

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For the main course, our sommelier arrives with Delaire Graff’s unique 2014 Botmaskop, an awesome blend of red grapes with notes of dark berry fruit, spice and cassis, along with the Estate 2014 Merlot, classical and smooth.

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Beef Bobotie, a South African specialty, at Indochine Restaurant ~ Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

Although I prefer the extraordinary depth of flavor of the Botmaskop, both wines pair beautifully with my Balinese Duck … pan seared breast accompanied by carrot and cumin purée, charred carrot and onion, confit duck leg, duck sausage, all cooked to perfection … and Denis’ Beef Bobotie, a South African specialty prepared by Chef Kahn for maximum flavor with sirloin mince, apricots, raisins, almonds, yellow rice and fruit chutney.

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The succulent desserts of Indochine Restaurant ~ Delaire Graff Estate ~ Stellenbosch, South Africa

The stunning meal is complete with a trio of desserts, our favorites being the Lime and Yuzu Tart and the Beetroot and Chocolate.  A bold multiple-award winning Cabernet Sauvignon with a smooth velvety texture and rich aromas of cassis and spice accompanies them.  We are mellow and we linger to enjoy our wine.  We have been served like royalty for more than three hours … but the memories of Delaire Graff’s Indochine and superb wines will last forever.

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P.S. To be able to enjoy our tour of the Stellenbosch wine farms (that’s what they call vineyards in South Africa), and to taste the wonderful wines of Delaire Graff Estate without any worries, we used the services of a chauffeur and car (both supplied by First Car Rental of Stellenbosch), something that we highly recommend to all visitors.

Stay tuned to BonVoyageurs.com for our writings about other Countries of the World as we share our joie de vivre from around the world. Luxury escapes, cruises and city breaks to Québec City, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires. In Europe and the Mediterranean, places like Paris and Nice in France, Florence, Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel. In Asia, countries like China, India, Nepal and so much more!

Filed Under: Africa, Countries of the World, Culinary Delights, South Africa Tagged With: Delaire, Graff, Indochine, luxury, South Africa, Travel

« Travel back in time with Rovos Rail in South Africa
Stellenbosch ~ South Africa’s Glorious Wine Country »

Comments

  1. Donna Janke says

    October 24, 2016 at 3:26 am

    Both the food and the wine at Delaire Graff Estate look and sound delicious. The statues in your first few photos are also quite interesting.

    Reply
  2. Jo ~ Lifestyle Fifty says

    October 24, 2016 at 9:17 am

    Ahh you’ve brought back happy memories of our time living in the fair Cape. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek were frequent weekend getaways, but you’ve introduced me to a wine farm today that we haven’t been too. It looks superb 🙂

    Reply
  3. Cindy McCain says

    October 24, 2016 at 10:51 am

    The food looks and sounds delicious and the view breathtaking.

    Reply
  4. Doreen Pendgracs says

    October 24, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    This post is a work of art! The sculptures, the great photos of the landscape, the cuisine … and the Delaire Graff winery. I’ve never heard of that wine, so will now look for it in our local wine stores.

    Reply
  5. Irene S. Levine says

    October 26, 2016 at 12:54 am

    Looks like a fantastic meal with wonderful views. Paired with wine, it doesn’t get much better!

    Reply
  6. Pamela McKuen says

    October 26, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    What a beautiful lodge–the sculptures are magnificent, too. I didn’t get as far as Stellenbosch during my trip to South Africa, but you’ve given me reason to go back.

    Reply

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Meet the Crew.

TOP 10 travel experts and influencers on social media and rated as one of the most influential travel bloggers in the world, Denis and Lynn Gagnon have been circling the globe for more than 45 years. Former international business travelers, they know how to travel - with class, comfort, and style. Members of the National Press Club, PTBA , NATJA and SATW. Wish to connect? Email them at BonVoyageurs@gmail.com.

A NEW addition to the BonVoyageurs team is Atlanta-based travel writer and culinary expert Dominique Gagnon, and travel photographer Justin Ellis. By day, Dominique designs and grows new meaningful consumer brands, while Justin is a neuroscientist and psychiatrist researching early brain development. By night, they are watching Chef's Table while plotting their next culinary and sport adventure.

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