Welcome to Gate; a dialogue between art, culinary tradition and technical craft that takes place at Quoin Rock Wine Estate on the slopes of the majestic Simonsberg Mountain. Here, each ingredient is an invitation to discover the land, and each dish promises an unforgettable experience.
On the opulent Quoin Rock Wine Farm in Stellenbosch it’s Gåte that
commands attention; the setting and sculptures are secondary. Intricate
attention to detail dictates. It endures in every dish – all sustainable,
indigenous and boasting at least one ingredient from the estate. For
the chef, it’s all about bringing every component to its full potential.
Chef Paul Prinsloo is a master at playing with ingredients and presenting
them artfully on the plate. He has curated a variety of menus in addition
to a la carte, from three-course daytime dining to a comprehensive
seven-course dinner. All options impress the most selective epicurean.
The vegan menus are ingenious. Each course is paired with a Quoin
Rock or Knorhoek wine, or inventive teas crafted to enhance the journey.
The diner is asked to dedicate two hours for lunch, four for dinner to
fully appreciate the dialogue between the terroir and technique.
“The menu shows a lot of what the estate is about,” says Paul. “It must
look beautiful, taste good and be balanced – every menu needs to be
better than the last. We have good support from locals, some of whom
like bigger portions. There is more demand for healthy eating. We must
give a vegan the same experience, and making it as special commands
special attention.” Paul’s rendition of a melon as the main course on
the vegan menu is pioneering, a real wow. The orange cannelloni and
BBQ celeriac prove his commitment to vegans. His imagination runs
riot in the use of native ingredient alternatives, and elements like his
pickled mustard seed caviar, are as good or better than the imported,
expensive ingredients that he is replicating. His outstanding prowess
with artful plating, his presence at the table with slick and sophisticated
service, blend to provide a once-in-a-lifetime style of dining.