Cape Town - Steenberg Estate is just outside Cape Town, tucked neatly beneath the mountains.
As the final stop on the ultimate golfing road trip, it was ideal – a charming, yet devilish course coupled with a wine and gastronomy estate to rival what had come before.
Having taken the scenic drive from George to Cape Town, with majestic views all the way, and then avoiding the CBD traffic, a welcome tipple at the majestic Steenberg Hotel was enjoyed with the sun setting in the background.
The Manor House at the hotel is a provincial heritage site, steeped in Cape Dutch elegance, and all the rooms have a charming sense of home as soon as you set foot in them. The complimentary port in the room doesn’t hurt either.
Each room is sumptuously decorated, from the standard luxury rooms and Premier suites, to the ultra-special Heritage ones – namely, the Khoi Khoi, Cape Colonial and the Dutch East India.
The trademark furnishings pay homage to the storied past of the region, and many visitors book them for extended periods, turning them into homes from home.
Inviting as the plush beds in the suites are, Catharina’s restaurant is the place to while away the early evening. Named after the legendary Catharina Ras, the founder of the estate in the 17th century, it is a cosy pocket of cuisine and character.
The produce of the vineyards flows freely at the bar, and is enhanced by drinking it by the fireplace on winter nights. In summer, al fresco dining is the order of the day, the grounds providing a wonderful setting.
The menu is precise and elegant, the classics done outstandingly. Many Capetonians make the drive just for a special meal off the beaten track. I dined with the estate’s director of golf, Justin Roux, along with his wife, Angelique (herself a chef), and their newborn twins.
Despite enjoying every bite of the fillet I ordered, I still had food envy looking around the table.
The next morning, bathed in sunlight, Catharina’s rustled up an exquisite breakfast.
Not for the first time on this trip, I plumped for the Benedict, and was left salivating as they took the clean plate away.
While Catharina’s offers a modern dining experience, there is also Bistro Sixteen82 for a more relaxed setting.
The estate is bracing itself to be especially festive this summer – the Barmy Army cricket fans have booked a table for 20 and warned that they will arrive thirsty.
Of course, my main business was the golf. Steenberg underwent a serious touch-up during the winter, with several holes being shifted to improve the club’s drainage. Now, as it comes into peak season, those changes are coming into full bloom, making for a terrific test.
The course itself is a tricky mix of some short holes, with well-protected greens, as well as some proper testers.
The par-fives, for example, all require a daring tee-shot to be reached in two, and the wind is always a factor.
As a course within an estate, the design factors in playability for the residents, as well as a sterner challenge for those who come to take on its full might. The back nine is particularly memorable, with the 18th hole providing a fitting finale.
Water is in play off the tee for the long hitters, and then the green is surrounded by water and a bunker. To make the shot more daunting, you play it with the clubhouse veranda within earshot, the members keeping an eye out for any splashes in the water.
Happily, I put my chip close to the pin, signing off a terrific stay beneath the mountain in some style. And, thankfully, the real Cape wind behaved that day. Just as well, as I was down to my last ball of the trip.
l Call 021 713 2222, or visit www.steenbergfarm.com
First Car Rental is proud to be the car hire company of choice to drive the Sunday Tribune’s Lungani Zama to experience the best in luxury lifestyle. He experienced South African heritage, vintage wines and world-class golfing at the Steenberg Golf Club, in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. Steenberg offers top-notch golfing in idyllic surroundings. Experience the Western Cape with First Car Rental – www.firstcarrental.co.za
Lungani Zama, Sunday Tribune