Sunshine & Wine At Barrington’s

For many sunseekers, the beautiful coastal town of Plettenberg Bay’s white beaches and cobalt blue waters is the place to be this summer. But with a young and vibrant wine route and many new restaurants, it is also a culinary destination for those in the know.

The grand entrance to Barrington’s

New Kid On The Block

One of the new kids on the block, is Barrington’s, home to the town’s first craft brewery, as well as a magnificent kitchen garden, restaurant, bar, small hotel, bakery, grocer and boutique nursery. The grocer is the place to stop for freshly baked bread, gifts and a wide selection of wines to take home.

The restaurant is the best place to relax under the huge Coral Tree (Erythrina caffra) with a glass of wine paired with innovative summer dishes.

Pick up freshly baked bread and grab a cold one at the craft brewery

Sustainability

Sustainability is key here and the magnificent 1 000m² white walled, organic kitchen garden is not only a joy for visitors to walk through, but the kitchen staff pick fresh ingredients here daily.

Barrington’s installed a 120 000 liter underground grey water reservoir used for irrigation. Support for locally farmed, ethically produced meat and produce from within a 30km radius and Barrington’s very own daily harvest further keeps their carbon footprint small.

Stay over in the small hotel and walk to the beach or enjoy a round of golf, before settling in at the bar.

Find a memorabilia from your time at Barrington’s at their gift shop

History

Barrington’s pays homage to Henry Frederick Francis Adair Barrington, who helped shape the future Knysna and Plett when he settled in the area in the mid-1800’s, says the owners, Simon Ash and Hilton Nagel, in recognition of his significant part in the heritage of the Garden Route’s development. Discover another great place to stay in Plettenberg here.

Gorgeous interior in the standard rooms

The Wine

Apart from craft beer, Barrington’s also offers an extensive wine list with carefully selected wines from a variety of regions. Preference is given to smaller producers, and it offers multiple options by the glass, at least one from each varietal.

A year ago a wine boutique was added to the offerings at Barrington’s and the aim is to surprise and delight. They have wonderful fun curating the always changing collection of top quality, special finds from micro-producers to forgotten heroes from well-known big estates.

The wine shop

Wine Events

Says general manager, Anelle van der Vyver who hails from the Cape Winelands: “We regularly host up to four winemakers at a time on the first Wednesday of every month. Our ‘Wine Wednesdays’ have a loyal following throughout the year, and wherever possible always include one of our very own Plett Winelands estates.  When time allows, delicious winemakers’ dinners during the quieter winter months are a welcome distraction from the cold.”

Anelle spent many years in the wine industry and has made it her mission to give good wine and talented winemakers a home and platform in the Garden Route right here at Barrington.

Barrington’s is very proud of their own annual Barrington’s Wine Festival, every December right at the start of season, allowing holidaymakers and locals alike to stock up ahead of the festivities.

This year it will take place on December 18 featuring estates from all over the Cape Winelands as well as local Plett farms. Sip and taste some incredible wines from well-known estates such as Chamonix, La Vierge, Raats, Thelema, Waterford and Zevenwacht.

The Wine List

Some of the wines you can enjoy in the restaurant or buy in the wineshop, include Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon, Beaumont, Jakkalsfontein Pinotage, Eagles’ Nest Viognier, Glen Carlou Unwooded Chardonnay, Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc, Raats MR de Compostella & Family Cabernet Franc, Rijk’s Touch of Oak Chenin Blanc, Rustenberg Malbec, Steenberg Merlot, Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauvignon Blanc, Waterford Rosemary and the Zevenwacht Old Vine Chenin Blanc. Buy South African wines here.

Exceptional wines await at Barrington’s

Barrington’s Pan-fried Prawns

Barrington’s pan-fried prawns (enough for 15 if you want to have a summer party), the perfect match for the Beaumont Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc.

Barrington’s pan-fried prawns

Ingredients:

• 1kg butter
• 3 thumbs ginger (Roughly chopped)
• 15 cloves garlic (Roughly chopped)
• 90ml Sambal Oelek
• 2L water
• Lots of ice

Method:

Melt the butter in a pot. Place garlic, ginger, Sambal Oelek in a blender with 200ml melted butter and blend until fine.

Place the remaining butter on a high heat, whisking every now and then to ensure it doesn’t burn. Once hot add all blended ingredients and fry off for 3 – 5 minutes until nice and fragrant.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Place contents into metal bowl. Place water and ice in a separate and bigger bowl.

Whisk the butter over the ice water (submerging the base of the bowl in the ice water bowl) in   order to cool the butter. Once slightly firm, roll the butter in cling rap and place in the fridge to set

Sautee prawns (6 per portion) in a hot pan then add the butter and finish off with fresh cream and roughly chopped coriander leaves. Serve with fresh lime or lemon wedges, spring onion or chives. To be served with Steamed basmati rice or toasted baguette.

Barrington’s at night

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BY Maryke Roberts | September 23, 2022

Maryke is an award-winning, Cape Winelands based journalist who has been writing about local and international wine and travel for over three decades. When she's home, her days are almost exclusively concluded with a walk on the beach and a glass of South African fine wine or spirits.