This is the highest-altitude wine bar in the country

And there are 950 bottles of wine to try…

By Lynda Ingham-Brown

The “Scottish Highlands” of South Africa have long been a favourite weekend destination for international visitors, Joburgers in need of some time out, and anyone perhaps looking to do a spot of trout-fishing. Stephan Spamer and Karl Schoeman are two such people, who had been visiting the small Mpumalanga village of Dullstroom since 2010 when they bought a house there. They grew to love it so much that they decided to build a small rental cottage so they could share their love of its peaceful lifestyle with others. “We now live here permanently, have seven cottages, a lifestyle centre and a restaurant!”

When asked what inspired them to open a restaurant, Stephan says, “When we started visiting, there were only two or three restaurants in Dullstroom, and we found ourselves going out to have a meal and being back home in an hour. We didn’t feel as if we could linger.” So, they opened a restaurant where you can do exactly that. “We wanted to create a space where people could relax over a few hours with a bottle of wine, with no pressure to go anywhere.”

At Vine Restaurant & Wine Bar, it’s all about settling in for as long as you want to. Stephan and Karl have created a unique “lounge-to-table” concept, where guests can book a “lounge”, complete with its own fireplace and comfy armchairs or a couch and a small table, where they can sit for as long as they like over a bottle (or two…) of wine and snacks. If real hunger sets in, they’re free to move to the dining room to enjoy something more substantial, and then back to their lounge for dessert. The space is theirs for the duration and there’s nobody rushing them to vacate the table.

There are 950 different bottles of wine stocked – and Karl, who is the general manager, is aiming to get to 1 000 bottles soon. “I think I got a little excited when we first opened… I didn’t really know how it worked so when the agents sent me their brochures, I just chose everything!” says Stephan. That innocent inexperience has worked in their favour, as this is now one of the establishment’s greatest attractions. They stock only South African wines (except for a few bottles of French Champagne) and make a real effort to include bottles from lesser-known producers to support them. “We eventually had so many wines, we had to build a second, and then a third, wine cellar!” A selection of wines is available by the glass, but most are understandably sold by the bottle.

When it comes to the food, trout features strongly on the menu, as expected, and is one of their bestsellers. Since Dullstroom is one of the coldest towns in the country, comfort food is king here. Starters include plates such as bitterballen and snails, while mains embrace curries, slow-cooked lamb shanks, Guinness-braised beef, pork belly and pasta. Stephan is adamant: “We’re not a fine-dining restaurant. We offer relaxed, home-made, unhurried food. We’re a local place where people can just hang out and enjoy great wine and food.” If our experience is anything to go by, that’s certainly true.

Radio presenter and content creator Sibongile Mafu headed to Dullstroom to visit this spot; watch below to see her experience…