One of my all time favourite places for lunch or wine tasting in the Cape Winelands is Jordan. Tucked away between green hills, water dams, vineyards and fields, with the most amazing view of the Stellenbosch Mountain Range you’ll find Jordan. A little piece of serenity and perfection. Since 1993 Gary and Kathy Jordan have been making wines here. The history of the farm goes back over 300 years. Because of the unique location: the vineyards of Jordan lay North, South, East ánd West of the slopes of the Stellenbosch hills. This results in a variety of grapes and wines, including sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, riesling, chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah.

“The Jordan philosophy combines the vineyards’ natural assets with innovative management, creating a profound expression of terroir. Jordan Wine Estate – the perfect Synergy between Soul and Soil” – source quotation

The restaurant and kitchen is the domain of chef George Jardine. Seasonal ingredients and focus on vegetables, herbs together with fish and meat are his ’thing’. It’s a gastronomic experience wíth the views but without the fuss. On a hot spring day the Mr. and I enjoyed a light mussel lunch here & today I will give you an impression about this place you have to visit when ever in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Terrace with a view.

The bird nests alongside the water at Jordan are beautiful. ‘Weavers’ are the birds building those nests called. The male weavers spend days and days of their time to build a nest to impress a female bird. If in the end she choses another weaver male with another weaver nest/house to stay with, the male weaver is so upset that he destroys his own nest and starts all over again. Such a sad, dramatic fact, don’t you think?
Bread and dips to start with.
Pretty, and typical African: Strelitzia flowers (which is actually a plant). A more common name is bird or paradise flower. I love them! You see them often in South Africa and they bloom a few times a year.
The outside wine tasting area of Jordan

Besides The Jordan Restaurant you can also decide to have breakfast, tart, coffee or a simple lunch at The Bakery at Jordan.
Menu time at Jordan main restaurant. Because it was so hot that day we decided to only have the mussels and a glass of Jordan Sauvignon Blanc 2016 which is a fresh, light, dry and delightful white wine.
Steamed Saldahna Bay mussels, charred tomato and fennel velour, basil and garlic toasted ciabatta.
Make sure you book if you really want to have lunch at Jordan Restaurant. If you don’t want to get stuck too much in pre-book and plan your entire holiday in advance, you can also try the Jordan Bakery for a simple lunch (reservation not always necessary).
The views at Jordan.
“The Cheese Room” at Jordan. Free tip from me: If you like cheese as much as I do…. make sure you go in here to sort out your cheese platter and skip sweet dessert… (or have both)….

The Facts

Jordan Winery and Restaurant is situated in the farmlands around Stellenbosch, approximately 10 minutes drive from Stellenbosch center. Click here for road directions, and to make your reservation.
The winery is open Monday until Sunday from 9.30am until 4.30pm and during high season until 6.30pm. The Jordan restaurant is open for lunch daily and for dinner from Thursdays until Saturdays. The Bakery at Jordan is open daily for breakfast and lunch. One can stay every day of the week in one of the pretty Jordan Hotel Suites.

*Note: I have not been asked, paid or invited by Jordan. It was my own idea to write about this restaurant and winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa. All images are mine, taken with a Canon EOS M3 camera. 

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See you next time,
X Aukje