Culture Wine Bar’s The Wanderlist: Around the World in a Glass
A taste of the good stuff sans the snobbery.
With current restrictions on globe-trotting, Culture Wine Bar, together with its partner-in-wine Radford Dale, is offering patrons the opportunity to travel the world… through a wineglass.
So, what is The Wanderlist?
It’s a curated collection of more than 100 premium imported wines, presented in a state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled unit that dominates the entire wall behind Culture’s bar counter.
Owner Matt Manning explains the concept: “The pandemic has hampered our ability to travel internationally, and I believe there is a growing desire to relive the memories from our past travels and experience the world, in some or other way, shape or form.
“Together with Radford Dale, we are excited to be able to offer bar-goers the opportunity to enjoy some incredible wines from around the globe, which they can benchmark against the fabulous South African wines that they will already find on our menu.”
The collection of over 100 wines hails from Burgundy and the Rhône valley to California, Marlborough and many more “far-flung locations that will capture the imaginations of adventurous wine-lovers”.
Stellenbosch-based winery Radford Dale, renowned for its innovative approach to winemaking, has an imports arm, whereby it brings in wines from some of the world’s finest vineyards. Says founder Alex Dale: “We’ve aimed to make some top-drawer wines from around the world more accessible to locals. If the Covid era has taught us anything, it’s to be generous; to enjoy each moment and to indulge others.”
“Culture is the spot where lovers of wine will be able to find joy and adventure, in these torrid times, at uncommonly great value for money.”
About Culture
While Covid left Cape Town’s once-roaring restaurant industry in tatters, successful chef-restaurateur Matt Manning (33) had other plans: he opened a wine bar in what many would call scarily uncertain times.
Culture Wine Bar shares a roof with Matt’s other two concerns, Grub & Vine and The Chef’s Studio. Matt was adamant about what he wanted: great wine, great snacks, great music and was equally decisive when it came to what he didn’t want: “pretentiousness and snobbery, which sadly often accompany (good) wine”.
The moody interiors, courtesy of Monya Eastman of Stokperd, reflect the owner’s vision of creating “a warm and welcoming space that is contemporary and also timeless”. Think marble countertops and leather booths, wooden floors, high-beamed ceilings, and an exposed brick wall that runs down one side of the space.
Good to know Live music on Friday and Saturday evenings adds a buzz, while Tuesdays are hosted by resident “cork puller” Chris Groenewald. Culture Club is a bimonthly wine-tasting club that is a must for those wanting to expand their wine horizons, by comparing South African varietals and international wines.
Opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact details 076 256 8654, wine@culturewinebar.com
Address 103 Bree Street, Cape Town
