WeeklySA_AdminGino’s in Robertsham has a double celebration this month.
The family-run business has reclaimed its title as South Africa’s best pizza restaurant in the Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge in the same month that it proudly celebrates its 40th year of trading.
The Johannesburg restaurant, an old favourite that has stood the test of time, won the inaugural competition two years ago, but was knocked from top spot last year by Cape
Town-based Ferdinando’s Pizza, so was more determined than ever to take the top prize in its ruby anniversary month.
Owner Gino Mazza was delighted with the victory: “We were overjoyed to hear the news of our winning again this year! It was a tough competition with so many restaurants participating. We are so proud to hold up the gold plaque once again and to celebrate the victory with our customers and staff.”
Although Gino’s – which opened its doors on November 1, 1983 – was the brainchild of eldest son Gino, the entire family, from father Guiseppe (Babbo) to mom Antonia as well as sisters Carmela and Maria and youngest brother, Domenico (Dom), were drawn into the business in true Italian style.
Today there are two family-run restaurants. The original Gino’s still remains in the heart of Robertsham and is run by Mazza, his sister Carmela and daughter Giulietta. Other family members help out on weekends and school holidays and several of the first staff members are still loyal employees. Many original customers now visit with their children and grandchildren.
Anthonij Rupert Wyne Unveils Optima 2020
Franschhoek wine estate, Anthonij Rupert Wyne, has recently released Optima 2020, a wine crafted using only the finest grapes sourced from its best terroirs and made with the most advanced winemaking techniques available.
The Optima forms part of the premium Anthonij Rupert range, named after the late Anthonij Rupert. The 2020 vintage is a blend of Merlot (34%), Cabernet Sauvignon (32%), Cabernet Franc (30%), and Petit Verdot (4%).
This wine underwent a lengthy post-fermentation maceration after being dry-skinned fermented. This process guarantees good tannin structure together with deep colour extraction. French oak and stainless steel tanks were used for fermentation to enhance complexity. The malolactic fermentation was finished in the barrel, and then the wine was racked off the lees. Before the final blend, each component was matured separately for 20 months in 225L French oak barrels, with 30% of those barrels being new oak.
Optima Winemaker Vernon van der Hoven describes this vintage as “showcasing complex upfront aromas, dark red fruits, cedar, cocoa, and aromatic hints of lavender. This carries through to a beautifully soft, rounded, and silky palate that shows cohesion and refinement with impressive density and concentration without being overwhelming.”
It retails at R250 per bottle on the farm.
EVENTS
MASLOW PICNIC
The Sunday Society Picnic with Graham Beck takes place at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton on Sunday, from 1pm.
Treat yourself and a loved one to a day of laughter, vitamin D, and a delicious Sunday picnic in the lush green gardens of The Maslow. “Bring your partner and come relax in the heart of Sandton and let The Maslow team take care of you at one of our monthly Sunday Society picnics,” said The Maslow’s food and beverage manager Mongezi Radebe.
The picnic basket, which costs R1 300, serves two people and includes a welcome drink and a chilled bottle of Graham Beck Cap Classique. Tuck into Asian beef kebabs, seasonal veg quiche, peri-peri chicken drumsticks, a butter chicken, lettuce, tomato and coriander salsa filled wrap, roasted butternut and rocket salad topped with blue cheese crumps and toasted pumpkin seeds, mini chilli bites of biltong, followed by white chocolate éclair and vanilla bean sponge with glazed berries. The all-white dress code picnic will feature live entertainment from 14h00
DURBANVILLE GUIDED TOURS
Durbanville Hills announces the launch of an engaging self-guided visitor centre that offers a captivating journey into the world of winemaking, from the vineyard to the bottle. Guests are treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process, gaining a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into creating our award-winning wines. The visitor centre features an interactive map that highlights the unique contours of tje area, the close proximity to the ocean, and the location and information on member farms. This insight provides visitors with a comprehensive view of the cool climate terroir and the distinctive features of the area.
The visitor centre welcomes guests daily without the need for prior bookings. After their immersive journey, guests can choose to savour innovative tastings, dine at the internationally acclaimed Tangram Restaurant, or enjoy a relaxed meal at the Olive Grove, making their visit to Durbanville Hills a complete sensory experience. The art of crafting cool-climate wine at Durbanville Hills awaits to be discovered over a bottle of wine and a great meal with family and friends. The visitor centre and tasting rooms are open on the following days: Monday: 12:00 – 18:00; Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 – 18:00; Saturdays: 10:00 – 17:00; Sundays: 11:00 – 17:00: Public Holidays: 10:00 – 17:00.
WINE AND DRUMS
Drumstruck, the hit African music & wine tasting experience returns to Silvermist Wine Estate for its second season in Cape Town from tonight.
Drumstruck has been entertaining audiences across the globe since its humble beginnings in Johannesburg in 2002. Producer Warren Lieberman explains that he brought the show back to South Africa after Covid to give locals and tourists access to the transformative and unifying magic of drumming together, while learning something about traditional African music.
The show will run every weekend from December 1 until April 2024, the show will run twice daily from Wednesday to Sunday, with shows starting at 11am and 5pm. The show runs for 110 minutes (50 min wine tasting, 60 min drum show) and SA rates are R350 (Adult wine tasting & show); R200 (Kids U12); R275: (Adult, show only).
DURBANVILLE’S RECORD
The Durbanville Harvest Festival takes place from March 1-3 next year; and the Sauvignon Soiree – a pinnacle event to celebrate International Day of Sauvignon Blanc – on May 3. Wine aficionados agree – if the bottle says Durbanville, then it’s world-class. This is the conclusion from a record local and international highs that have set the tone for a range of upcoming developments.
The past 12 months has shown the excellence of Durbanville wines hailed, not only at the highest levels of some of the world’s most authoritative competitions, but also across vintages and varieties. “It has truly been a year in which the world of wine has welcomed Durbanville as one of the world’s best,” says Natasha de Villiers, manager of the Durbanville Wine Valley organisation. Locally, new attractions have also ensured it remains front of mind with visitors to the Cape. These included a new self-guided tour at Durbanville Hills; and new tasting facilities at Meerendal and for De Grendel, on Table Mountain. Save the date for these events: the Durbanville Harvest Festival takes place at D’Aria from March 1-3, from 10:00 to 18:00 daily. The Sauvignon Soiree will be held at Nitida’s Cassia Restaurant on May 3, from 17:00 to 20:00.
