A night out...

 I booked 2 tickets months ago for Steenberg's winter theme movie night and decided to take my little sister, Rosanne, with.  Joanne had been already and I'd sent my parents on a date to one as well.  I'd been looking forward to this for ages and had forgotten when exactly it was booked for, so was thrilled when I got my e-mail reminder last week.  Gareth very kindly let me borrow his wife for the evening and we headed off to the beautiful Steenberg vineyard for our night out. 

 

Steenberg is one of Constantia's Big 5 wine farms and is 2 doors down from Buitenverwachting.  It's always a very surreal feeling for me to be back on a wine farm, especially one so close to "home".  I still feel like I'm part of that world and yet I'm not.  From the moment you drive through the farm's gates, the atmosphere changes.  There are big open spaces and the silence of vines as far as your eyes can see.  I still miss it so much.  Anyway... I am still very good friends with Steenberg's ex-wine maker, Ruth, who left wine making to go and do her MBA and now has nothing to do with wine.

 

Steenberg's wines have always performed well in competitions and they have a wide selection of superbly produced wines.  Their Brut is simply delicious and is definitely one of my favourites.  As is there Sauvignon Blanc...

This is their tasting room; boasting the most extravagant chandelier I've ever seen.  Behind and to the left of this photo, is their Bistro, which was busy and bright and serving tapas for dinner.  I almost stayed... 

 Upstairs, tucked in a quiet corner is their movie "theater".  They can't seat too many guests, so these movie nights were all sold out in April already!  Their theme for the season has been food movies and we saw the movie "Waitress", which both Rose and I enjoyed very much...

 Perfectly chilled Sauv Blanc...

 Hi Rosie.  I know I promised not to post pictures of you, but, well, you know me... I had to.  I love you...

 Part of the evening out, was a bento box style dinner.  An artichoke soup that was divine, pork keftedes with a coriander yogurt dressing, cheese, bread and home made crispy crackers...

 And home made wine gums made with their own wine.  I saved mine for Jake, but he wasn't impressed...

 Our movie was finished by 9, so Rose and I made a quick pit stop at Peddlars on the Bend.  It's a bar/restaurant that's been around forever.  It's one that Jacques and I used to frequent, since it's almost in the same road as Buitenverwachting.  They've changed it quite a bit inside, but the outside part is still gorgeous.  I ended up dragged here by the girls at my kitchen tea (hen night).  Dressed in a nightgown and smothered with chocolate pudding (pretty, I think not?), I was forced to beg male patrons for money to buy the girls a drink each.  Jacques was there watching rugby with some friends.  Was ever so slightly embarrassing... 

Anyway, it was a great evening out and it was awesome to spend some time with Rosanne.  Joanne was jealous that she wasn't included - next time Jo, I love you too.

 

Sue XXX