Steenberg Hotel Opens First Champagne Bar in South Africa

  • February 24, 2012
Steenberg Hotel Opens First Champagne Bar in South Africa
Called "Gorgeous by Graham Beck," the bar is a tribute to the late owner of the Steenberg Hotel & Winery, an entrepreneur, who began planting vines in 1984 at his farm outside of Robertson, South Africa and who became one of the country's leading wine producers.

The name "Gorgeous" derives from Beck's favorite term of endearment and applies, too, to the indulgent elegance of the bar which includes Vivienne Westwood's "Paper Jewelry" wallpaper and stunning Tom Dixon lighting fixtures above the bar. Guests can opt to linger in the comfortable lounge-style area or alongside the bar's Carrara-marble-topped counter.

Gorgeous is the latest addition to the world-class Steenberg estate, recently voted one of the Top 100 Experiences in the World by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. Steenberg's features include the award-winning Steenberg Hotel, a wellness spa, an 18-hole championship golf course, the Steenberg cellar door and Bistro Sixteen82 for casual dining, and Catharina's restaurant for fine dining.

Gorgeous by Graham Beck offers a full selection of Graham Beck Wines' award-winning bubbly (called Méthode Cap Classique*) along with sumptuous canapés prepared exclusively for Gorgeous by Steenberg's celebrated Executive Chef Garth Almazan of Catharina's restaurant, located in the same historic building. Among the tasty bites on the menu are fresh Saldanha Bay oysters; poached tiger prawn; and asparagus and goat's cheese risotto croquette. The canapés – one of which is a decadent dessert – have been created to complement the Graham Beck sparkling wines.

These wines will be the exclusive beverage offering at the bar, available either by the bottle or the glass, with prices starting at $5.20 per flute and $26 per bottle. Guests may also opt for a flight of three non-vintage Graham Beck sparkling wines, three vintage cuvées, or the iconic Cap Classique crown jewel, Cuvée Clive.

While Graham Beck makes and markets a full line of wines made from several varietals sold at several different price points, sparkling wine is the winery's flagship. It was the first wine produced in 1991, and it remains a significant and growing part of the business, aided by the revelation that it is a favorite of President Obama, who celebrated his 2008 election with a bottle of Graham Beck Rosé Brut.

Gorgeous by Graham Beck is open from 11am to 10pm seven days a week. Limited seating is offered in the intimate venue and no reservations are taken.