Idiom – A New Wine Destination in the Helderberg

Words: Crush

10 Shares

Despite the fact that we are very spoilt with a multitude of incredible wine estates on our doorstep in the Western Cape, we are always excited to welcome a new one to the fold.

The Bottega family marks a decade of Idiom wines with the unveiling of the wine’s new home. Set amongst the Helderberg mountain range on the outskirts of Somerset West, the new restaurant and wine tasting room are sure to become favourites for locals and international visitors alike. A long and winding road leads up through rows of Bluegum trees but the reward at the end is worth it – a stunning Italian-inspired building sits perched atop the hill, fronted by an immaculate lawn and an endless view. The positioning affords stunning panoramic vistas that allow visitors to appreciate the beauty of the Cape Peninsula in all its glory. The building and gardens are dotted with sculptures and paintings by local artists, father and son duo, Anton and Lionel Smit.

The building fuses the family’s Italian heritage with local flavour; designed by architect Thomas Leach who worked closely to realise the vision of owner Alberto and his son Roberto Bottega. The outside pays homage to that Italian heritage through the use of arched stone architecture, built using stones quarried on the farm. Inside a structure of wooden posts and beams have been cut from Bluegum trees and lend a beautiful neutral tone and natural texture to the space. Light filters in from the expanses of glass which enclose the building and the space is fresh, light and stylish.

The venue itself will open its doors in June 2016 and the fine-dining menu will offer fusion dishes of South African and Italian cuisine with a modern twist, all tuned to pair with the extensive Idiom wine offering. Chef Irwin de Vries joins Idiom from 5 star properties with fine dining pedigree – Morukuru’s AtholPlace in Johannesburg and Sir Richard Branson’s Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand Reserve.

The restaurant will offer a seasonal a la carte menu and one of the features will be the multi-course degustation menus which will available only by prior booking. Walk-in wine tasters will be able to choose from the lighter canapé and wine pairing selections. The venue also has a more casual, terraced outdoor seating area perfect for family-friendly weekend gatherings. A Deli menu featuring prosciutto platters, salumi and other charcuterie as well as gourmet pizzas, pastas and salads will soon be added to the offering. In the warmer summer months, guests will be able to order a picnic basket from the Deli to enjoy under the thatch-covered ‘lapas’ on the adjoining the venue.

Idiom is very much a family affair and the idea is to integrate their space with its surroundings and to provide a full sensory experience – to this end, many exciting things are planned.Father and son Alberto and Roberto Bottega have spent considerable time and effort in taking Idiom from a bare farm to a wine producing estate with many flourishing varietals. The first vineyards were planted in 1999 and in 2014 they harvested their first vintage. From there on out they have worked together with winemaker Reino Thiart to create an award-winning and multi-faceted wine range. Daughter Silvana works on the creative side, partnering with chef Irwin de Vries to create unique sensory experiences with the food offered. There is a luxury retail range curated by Silvana, as well as her overseeing the beautiful artworks.
Together the family brings a mix of skill and passion together to create a space that is harmonious with its environment and where the offerings link together to create an overall experience. Plenty more is planned for the space, so keep an eye on new developments. We look forward to the official opening of the estate and to seeing what the future holds.