Mont Rochelle brand receives international attention

Franschhoek – Key team members at the luxurious Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards are to travel to Europe on two occasions over the next six months as fine ambassadors of South Africa and the well known Cape gourmet destination.

On 13 and 14 September, Managing Director Erwin Schnitzler, General Manager Kerrin Titmas, Executive Chef Ryan Smith and Winemaker Dustin Osborne will be guests of London’s famous The Goring Hotel (voted Top Hotel in London by Travel & Leisure Magazine – May 2007). The Goring Hotel’s private dining room will be the setting of three exclusive dinners hosted by Erwin Schnitzler and created by Chef Ryan Smith and matched with Mont Rochelle wines. Amongst the guests for the meals at the Goring will be top food, wine and accommodation journalists from the United Kingdom. The menu will consist of various traditional South African ingredients and will be a true reflection of the standard that Mont Rochelle represents.

The famous Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St Moritz, Switzerland also plays host to Chef Smith in January 2008 where he has been selected to cook at the St Moritz Gourmet Festival.

He will be in exulted company as some of the world’s top chefs will be present including Chef Dieter Muller (3 star Michelin) and considered the top chef in Germany; Chef Rennaud (2 star Michelin) from France; Chef Theo Randall of the Intercontinental London (former founder and chef of the River Café); Chef Tim Raue from Berlin (2 star Michelin and Chef of the Year 2007, Gault & Millau, Germany); Andreas Meyer (2 star Michelin from Schloss Prenzau, Austria), Chef Steffani (Shangri-la Kowloon, Hong Kong), Chef David Thompson(NAHM, London) and Chef Albergo Giardino Ascona (1 star Michelin and Hotel of the Year, Gault & Millau 2004).

Erwin Schnitzler has owned a number of Michelin rated restaurants in Europe and moved to South Africa seven (7) years ago when he and his business partner purchased what is now known as Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards. Titmas joined them at the offset and has assisted them to grow the hotel to the internationally recognised establishment it is today. In June 2006, Schnitzler decided that the time had arrived Mont Rochelle to be placed on the map as a South African gourmet destination, and he appointed top internationally trained Chef Ryan Smith.

Recently appointed as Winemaker of Mont Rochelle Vineyards, Dustin Osborne has worked in cellars in New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and California. Young and enthusiastic, Dustin has a humble approach to wine and aims to further improve the quality of the Mont Rochelle range. The vineyard is set to introduce an entry level range as well as a signature range. The first of these new wines will be a Rose to be released in September followed by a signature barrel fermented Chardonnay.

Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards is a boutique property located on a picturesque hilltop above the village of Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. The deluxe property offers twenty-two bedrooms and suites, the signature Mange Tout Restaurant, The Country Kitchen, the Colonial Bar and a Wellness Centre.

FREE  for 30 days

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