Bubbling under: Simonsig has opened a new restaurant in Stellenbosch

There are surely few better places to raise a glass of bubbles than the estate where South Africa’s Cap Classique story began. And now there’s another reason to linger at Simonsig Family Vineyards in Stellenbosch, with the opening of Vonkel at Simonsig, a brand-new restaurant alongside the estate’s tasting room.

This year marks 55 years since Frans Malan produced the first Kaapse Vonkel in 1971, creating South Africa’s first (ever!) bottle-fermented sparkling wine at a time when most local fizz was carbonated and sweet. Malan kick-started a movement that has seen South Africa produce some of the world’s finest sparkling wines (even if we still can’t call them champagne). Today, the Stellenbosch estate is run by the third generation of the Malan family, with Michael Malan taking over as cellarmaster in 2022. 

And while the bubbly is reason enough to visit, we now have Vonkel, which marks the return of a full restaurant to the estate. The restaurateur (and sommelier) behind it all is Marc Botes, who brings an unfussy, Mediterranean-inspired menu built around seasonal produce and top-notch ingredients.

That means locally made burrata and mozzarella from Puglia Cheese, San Marzano tomatoes (chefs swear by these Italian beauties), imported Italian 00 flour, and Simonsig’s own extra-virgin olive oil. Pizza dough undergoes a 36-hour sourdough fermentation before being hand-stretched and baked in the wood-burning oven. 

What’s on the menu?

Vonkel opens at 9am for brunch, with everything from banana bread – topped with espresso butter! – to house-baked bagels and a potato rösti topped with crispy bacon, mushrooms and a poached egg.

If you’re feeling more extravagant, look for the Royale Roll: butter-poached crayfish tucked into brioche with creamy scrambled eggs and a Cap Classique beurre blanc.

Lunch kicks off at noon, with a choice of plates to share – smoked salmon blinis, crispy fried artichokes, pork scratchings, and cheese and charcuterie boards – before you move on to salads, burgers, pasta, and wood-fired pizzas.

The pizza selection changes seasonally, but expect classics – hello, Margherita – alongside the likes of white mushroom with confit garlic; spicy nduja; and a burrata pizza loaded with tomato, Parma ham, rocket and parmesan. The pasta is made in-house too, with dishes including tagliatelle with artichoke and cherry tomato, and pappardelle with slow-braised lamb shoulder.

And, of course, there’s wine

The wine list at Vonkel is exclusively Simonsig, covering Cap Classique and still wines, with older vintages available from the cellar.

And, here’s some good news: Vonkel offers all the Simonsig wines at tiny mark-ups (to cover service and glassware): just R10 above cellar-door price per glass and R30 per bottle. Might as well order another then, right?

If you’re not familiar with Simonsig wines, perhaps start your day with a flight in the tasting room next door, where you’ll also find snack platters on the menu. Remember that restaurant and tasting-room reservations are made separately, and this spot is sure to get busy as summer gets underway. 

Vonkel at Simonsig: need to know

Address: Simonsig Family Vineyards, Kromme Rhee Road, Stellenbosch
Open: daily 9am–noon (brunch), noon–5pm (lunch)
Bookings: Via Dineplan, or call 021 888 4915
Find out more: simonsig.co.za

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