Celebrate Heritage Day in style this year as you make your way to Lanzerac Hotel & Spa on Wednesday, 24 September, for a lunch of gastronomic proportions. Steeped in rich heritage, dating back to 1692, this iconic establishment set in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands invites you to step back in time for the day as you feast on mouth watering food, inspired by its forefathers.
Upon arrival in the famous Danie Craven lounge situated in the hotel you’ll be welcomed with a glass of the Lanzerac Alma Mater Rosé as the gentle tunes from the Baby Grand Piano set the scene for the afternoon. From here you’ll be ushered into the Governor’s Hall where all guests will be seated at a long table, symbolizing the day’s celebrations. Guests will be seated by no later than 1pm in order to make the most of the day.
A buffet menu, thoughtfully created by Executive Chef, Stephen Fraser, caters for all palates and can only be described as a feast for the senses. The cold buffet includes a Smoked Snoek Mousse with Grape Jelly and Melba Toast; Roast Baby Beet, Rocket and Goats’ Cheese Salad with a Grapefruit Dressing; crunchy Broccoli, Pancetta, Raisin, Cumin Boerenkaas and Sour Cream, or enjoy a Plum Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella and Basil Caprese Salad. If you prefer a soup be sure to try the Roast Tomato and Onion Soup with shavings of Biltong, Croutons and Sour Cream.
Don’t fill up too much on these as the Main Course Buffet plays the starring role in this food extravanga. Inspired by heritage the menu includes roast Leg of Lamb with Rosemary and Pinotage Sauce; whole roast deboned Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta; braised Oxtail with Baby Onions and Haricot Beans, or West Coast Mussels in a Creamy White Wine Sauce and Toasted Ciabatta. Not forgetting the vegetables which include Sweet Potato cooked with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar; Seasonal Vegetables with Lemon butter; roasted Roots with Maple and Lemon Zest Glaze.
End of your feast with something sweet, such as Crème Caramel with Hazelnut Sugar shards; White Chocolate Profiteroles filled with a Hazelnut cream; Cape Malva pudding with Orange Anglaise, or Apple and Raisin Strudel.
Included in the meal is a glass of wine from each of the wines in the Heritage range produced by Lanzerac Wine Estate, and carefully selected by cellar master, Wynand Lategan. These include the Mrs English Chardonnay, Le Général (a red blend) and the Pionier Pinotage. What makes this event even more memorable is that 100 years ago Lanzerac was purchased for the handsome price of £18 000 by Mrs. Elizabeth Katherina English in 1914, who changed the name from Schoongezicht to Lanzerac. It is believed that Mrs. English bottled the first Lanzerac wine from grapes grown on her land.
Ensuring an unforgettable day the pièce de résistance are the few extra surprises in store. These include a tutored tasting by cellar master Wynand Lategan; breakfast for two; a spa treatment; cheese and wine pairing and so much more up for grabs for a few lucky diners.
The cost is R350 per person, which includes a welcome drink, buffet meal and three glasses of wine (one glass per person from each of the Heritage wines). Additional wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea and other drinks will be for your own account. Seating is limited and bookings can be done directly through Denise Bezuidenhout at the Lanzerac Hotel & Spa. Deadline for bookings is 15 September and she can be reached on banqueting3@lanzerac.co.za or 021 887 1132.
The perfect excuse to visit the winelands, and what better place to make new memories.
