With a tasting room set amidst its surrounding vineyards and on the flanks of the Simonsberg, Quoin Rock Wine Estate has undergone a dramatic rejuvenation. This longstanding producer recently renovated the property, which includes a 50-seater fine-dining restaurant and plenty of outdoor seating, to add luxury and take advantage of tremendous valley views.

The Gaiduk family declared their love for the Stellenbosch region when they bought Quoin Rock in 2012. Over the past six years, the family has poured all their energy into improving the vineyards and estate.

“My father has a true passion for wine, and what really appealed to us about Quoin Rock was the clean canvas and the opportunity to create the vision our family had for the property, and the wine” explains Denis Gaiduk, Managing Director of Quoin Rock.

“The philosophy of the company is to build one of the best wineries in South Africa,” adds Gaiduk. “From the beginning, we said that there would be no compromise on quality.”

With that philosophy in mind, a new winemaking and viticultural team were appointed to oversee the process of rejuvenating and replanting vineyards, alongside modernising the technology in the cellar. Today, 36 hectares of vineyard are spread across the 200-hectare property, ensuring the potential for future expansion.

Visitors will be able to taste the wines in the elegant new Wine Lounge, where glass walls offer a glimpse into the atmospheric barrel maturation cellar.

“We’re surrounded by amazing wineries, so we knew we needed to create something different,” explains Julia Gaiduk, lead architect on the revamp of the estate. “We realised that the devil is in the detail!”

And there’s no shortage of eye-catching detail in the chic new space, where organic elements of wood, stone and water play off against the sleek leather banquettes and striking vineyard views. The central wine bar is fashioned to resemble the fermentation egg-shaped vessels in the adjoining cellar, while the ceiling motifs offer a visual link to the movement of the vine leaves in the summer winds.

Bespoke tastings are offered at handcrafted tables from Pierre Cronje, using delicate Schott Zwiesel crystal glasses.

Come evening, the Wine Lounge transforms into one of the most exciting new restaurants to hit the South African winelands in years.

Gåte features a set tasting menu of 16 remarkable courses, designed by Executive Chef Rikku Ò’Donnchü, who worked alongside Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck, and in the rarefied kitchens of Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in Yountville, California.

“The menu at Gåte is about playing with the senses as much as possible. I don’t want this to be just a meal. It should be a complete experience for all of your senses,” says Ò’Donnchü, who promises everything from hands-on dining and tableside preparation to interactive experiences. A drinks pairing with each course – using both estate wines and Ò’Donnchü’s own creations – is also offered.

The setting is contemporary urban and the food surpasses its pricing. On a balmy evening, the tables at Gåte spill out onto a broad terrace shaded by an eye-catching pergola of laser-cut aluminium, the intricate design replicating the dappled shade of vine leaves.

“The whole visit to Quoin Rock should be an experience that ties in with the natural beauty of the estate,” adds Julia Gaiduk, who also reimagined the adjoining warehouse space into an airy light-filled events space, capable of welcoming up to 200 guests. Here, brick walls were replaced with soaring panels of glass, allowing panoramic views of the winelands.

There are more of those unforgettable views at the Manor House, where the interiors have been entirely overhauled to create a modern country escape surrounded by classical European gardens and indigenous fynbos. The Manor House offers four spacious double en-suite bedrooms, alongside a private honeymoon suite and separate guest cottage. The Manor House is fully serviced and booked on an exclusive-use basis only.

Situated in the midst of some of South Africa’s finest terroir, and with a bold new vision for the future, Quoin Rock is ready to delight visitors to the winelands.

Quoin Rock is situated on the Knorhoek Road, seven kilometres outside Stellenbosch. Wine tastings of the complete Quoin Rock and Namysto ranges are offered daily in the elegant Quoin Rock Wine Lounge. Tastings are priced from R350 per person, and bookings are advisable. For more information, visit www.quoinrock.co.za, or call 021 888 4740.