One&Only Cape Town Features Impressive Wine Collection

Over 5,000 bottles, from prestigious older vintages of Cape classics to newer wineries in emerging terroirs, will be showcased in a magnificent glass library, taking visitors on a tantalising journey through the Cape Winelands. With almost 100 labels available by the glass, tasting sessions will be offered at the Chef's Table, complemented by tapas-style dishes from Gordon Ramsay's maze restaurant.

One&Only's Group Sommelier Stephen Towler said, "We are very excited and proud to be launching the Wine Loft at One&Only Cape Town this spring. We believe that our extensive range of wines, our internationally experienced sommelier team and our unique approach to wine education set us apart from any other wine facility in South Africa. We hope that it will be a popular service for both our international guests and local visitors alike."

The Wine List

The One&Only Cape Town wine experience will be an educative, interactive, multi-faceted one, serving as an exceptional introduction to the region's vineyards. When creating the wine list, emphasis was placed on terroir and regional styles, rather than labels and brand names - a unique approach for New World wines. The list is arranged by district, with clear explanations of the different attributes of the wines and the part that geography has to play in this diversity of style (complete with maps).

Through the collection visitors can learn about new, up-and-coming South African boutique wines as well as savour prestigious older vintages. In addition to 450 South African wines of every possible variety and style, the list also boasts 150 international current trendsetters and all time classics (some previously unavailable in South Africa) from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, USA, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. There are wines in every price segment, for every budget.

Highlights include:
• Rare South African vintages - Columella 2003, Warwick Trilogy 1988, Kanonkop Paul Sauer 1991, Meerlust Rubicon 1993
• Vertical collections, sourced from private cellars and vinotheques – Raats Chenin Blancs, Bouchard Finlayson Pinot Noirs, Eben Sadies Palladius & Columella, Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir, Thelema Cabernets, Vergelegen ‘V', Villafonte, Grangehurst Cabernets
• Auction wines from the most prestigious wine auctions such as “Cape Winemakers Guild”
• Rare imports - Cheval Blanc 1985, Chateau Latour 1986, Chateau Lafit '79, Henschke Hill of Grace 2001

Dinners, Tastings and Events

The Wine Loft is located in a magnificent tri-level structure made of glass and steel, consisting of three levels – lower ground floor, mezzanine 1 and mezzanine 2. The moment guests step inside, the complex aromas combined with the depth of flavours will create an exceptional wine experience.

Guests will be served by two resident sommeliers and their team of qualified wine waiters who will be able to answer any questions they should pose about the region's vineyards. Guests dining at Gordon Ramsay's adjacent maze restaurant will be encouraged to use the loft as a ‘walk-in' wine list, led by one of the sommeliers.

The spectacular venue can also be used for wine tasting sessions and exclusive dinners, hosted by one of the sommeliers at the Chef's Table in the private dining room on the third floor. Diners can choose between the six, eight or ten-course maze tasting menu or a bespoke menu complemented by wines for each course.

The mezzanine tasting room offers almost 100 wines by the glass, available in 50, 150 and 250ml, including limited production and hard to find wines such as Eben Sadie's Palladius and a rare CWG offering from Philip Constandius, “The Guildsman”. Themed tastings can be arranged, from vertical tasting menus to wines from a particular district.

Local wineries will be invited to showcase their wines and to talk to visitors about the different vintages, explaining the particularities and challenges of each harvest, on a monthly basis. One&Only Cape Town will also co-ordinate tours of the local wine regions, including private cellar tours and tastings. For a deeper understanding, wine lovers can enroll in an "Introduction to the wines of the Cape" course which advises guests how best to gauge the balance of fruit character, acidity, tannins and body of the wine so they can confidently stock their cellars. Some of the wines will be available to purchase, and for larger quantities, guests can make use of One&Only's relationship with the wine industry to arrange for certain bottles to be shipped to their homes.

General hotel information

One&Only Cape Town is the brand's first urban resort and a significant landmark in Africa. With its bold, contemporary design, the exciting venture promises to transform the city's waterfront, marking the homecoming of Sol Kerzner to South Africa where he started his visionary career in hospitality. The hotel features 131 rooms - the most spacious in Cape Town - with captivating views of Table Mountain, and will be home to Africa's first Nobu restaurant by Nobuyuki ‘Nobu' Matsuhisa as well as a maze restaurant by Gordon Ramsay. It will also feature an exclusive Spa Island – a haven of serenity which offers the most expansive and comprehensive spa in Cape Town. www.oneandonlyresorts.com

More information: One&Only Resorts