If you’re a local on the Garden Route and looking for a night that blends elegance with easygoing charm, mark your calendar for 10 July 2025.
The iconic Turbine Hotel & Spa on Thesen Island is hosting a Food & Wine Pairing Evening that promises to be as unforgettable as the sunset over the Knysna lagoon.
This isn’t just another dinner. It’s a 4-course culinary experience paired with premium wines from the award-winning Alvi’s Drift, all served up in the industrial-chic setting of Island Café. Think candlelight, clinking glasses, and the kind of dishes that make you pause mid-bite.
🍇 Meet the Wine Whisperer
Leading the evening’s wine journey is the fabulous Junel van der Merwe—Cape Wine Master and international wine authority with more titles than a French vineyard. She’ll guide guests through each pairing with stories, insight, and enough personality to turn even casual sippers into full-on vino enthusiasts.
🍽️ What to Expect
While the official menu remains a delicious mystery, you can bet it’ll be packed with bold local flavours, fresh seasonal ingredients, and clever combinations that bring out the best in every glass. Each course will be thoughtfully matched to an Alvi’s Drift wine, elevating the entire evening from “great meal” to “gourmet memory.”
🌿 Your Backyard, Upgraded
Locals know Thesen Island is no tourist trap—it’s a hidden gem. And Turbine Hotel? A converted power station turned boutique hotel with bags of character. The Island Café’s warm lighting, laid-back sophistication, and top-notch service make it the perfect place to treat yourself (or impress your foodie friends).
📍 Event Details:
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📆 10 July 2025
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📍 Island Café at Turbine Hotel & Spa, Thesen Island, Knysna
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🍷 4 courses, expertly paired with Alvi’s Drift wines
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👩🏫 Presented by wine master Junel van der Merwe
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💻 Book: bit.ly/turbineevents
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📧 Email: marketing@turbinehotel.co.za
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📞 Call: 044 050 3400
🥂 Why You Should Go
Because you deserve a night out that doesn’t involve the usual. Because supporting local events makes your town better. And mostly—because good food, great wine, and even better company are what winter evenings on the Garden Route were made for.
Seats are limited, so rally your crew and book soon. Whether you’re a Knysna native or a Sedgefield neighbour, this is one local evening that’s worth dressing up for.
TH 36 Sawtooth Lane, Thesen Islands, Knysna
book@turbinehotel.co.za
