HISTORY

It was in 1687 that Europeans German, Dutch and French first settled in the area around Rhebokskloof. The main town of the area, Paarl (pearl) came into being thirty years later - in 1720 - when a church was built and a main street laid out. Paarl is the third oldest town in South Africa, a historians delight and just 5 minutes away from Rhebokskloof. In 1657 Abraham Gabbema led an expedition to find more Khoi groups to barter from and to search for the legendary treasures of Monomotapa. On the day that they arrived in the Berg River Valley, the granite boulders towards the west side of our town glistened in the sun after some rain showers. This inspired Gabbema to promptly name this mountain the Diamond and Pearl Mountain from which the name Paarl was later derived. The graceful gabled architecture, the hallmark of buildings in the area at that time, gave way to British building styles during the British occupation of the Cape between 1795 and1802. This style favoured larger windows, double storey buildings and slate roofs. Many Cape Dutch homes were converted to express this new fashion. The latter half of the 19th century heralded major commercial development in Paarl and, at the same time, the Victorian style became popular. Rhebokskloof itself dates back to 19 August 1692 when Simon van der Stel, then Governor of the Cape, gave a free grant of land to Dirk van Schalkwyk. It was originally one very, very large piece of farmland, but sometime between the First and Second World Wars it was divided into six separate farms Waterpoel, St Felix, St Peters, St Martins and Sonne Espoire which were sold off. It was not until new owners bought Rhebokskloof in 1986 and were subsequently able to buy back the other five farms that Rhebokskloof was returned to its original size. An early dwelling built around 1692 has since been restored as the main homestead. A later dwelling dated 1797, built by one Petrus van der Merwe, still bears his and his wifes initials in the distinctive Cape Dutch gable. This once graceful home has also been restored to its original Cape Dutch splendour and offers guests a welcome escape from the maddening rush of city living. The area surrounding Rhebokskloof has extraordinary scenic beauty throughout the year. In the autumn months of March, April and May the trees lose their leaves in a dying burst of extravagant reds and golds, followed by a cold winter that sees snow falling on the highest peaks. Spring comes in September with an amazing show of wild flowers and hot, sunny summers see the vineyards heavy with fruit. The Estate is renowned for its top quality wines, which you can sample in our exquisite tasting room situated in the original Cape Dutch building next to the restaurant. We take as much pride in our award winning meals served in the Rhebok Restaurant as we do in our superb function venues and warm winelands hospitality. Rhebokskloof also produces grape juice and olives and boasts beautiful examples of Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture. In April 2006 Rhebokskloof was sold again, this time to a group of South African business people. Their collective vision is to restore and renovate the existing buildings, grounds, vineyards and dams to their former glory.

BREAKFAST
Breakfast basket Homemade selection of muffins, toasted breads, and croissants served with cheese and jams R 50.00 Rhebokskloof Breakfast Crispy bacon, boerewors sausage, grilled cherry tomatoes, baked black mushrooms served with pot bread toast and 2 eggs of your choice R 58.00 Salmon trout omelet Smoked salmon trout and cream cheese omelet served with toast and brown butter capers R 54.00 Fresh fruit and yogurt Nutty crunch muesli served with seasonal fruit and plain yogurt R 38.00 Please note that breakfast is served until 12h00 only

TEA MENU
Scones
Homemade scones served with a selection of jams and whipped cream R 26.00 Grated cheddar cheese R 7.50 extra Waffles Waffles served with fresh seasonal fruit and ice cream, drizzled with maple syrup R 38.00 Chefs Cake of the Day Please ask your waitron for our freshly made cake R25.00

STARTERS
Camembert Salad Crumbed camembert served on a rocket, beetroot and pickled mushroom salad finished with chilli dressing R 55.00 Calamari Salad Calamari steak strips sauted with ginger, chilli and lemongrass, finished with a soy and sesame seed dressing set on sliced avocado R 58.00 Fish Cakes Homemade fish cakes served with garden salad and tartar sauce R 58.00 Grilled Chicken Salad Flame grilled chicken fillets marinated with coriander, chilli, garlic and lemon juice, served with a bulgur wheat and roasted butternut salad with fresh greens R 58.00 Ostrich Carpaccio Lightly smoked ostrich fillet served with a young leaves, shaved pecorino cheese, marinated oyster mushrooms and snow pea salad with truffle oil and lime dressing R 60.00 Butternut Soup Tom yum flavoured butternut soup served with pumpkin fritters and fresh coriander R 38.00 Rhebokskloof Deli Platter A platter of Parma ham, smoked ostrich, smoked kudu and Italian salami. A marinated vegetable salad with olives, goats cheese and sun dried tomato pt, toasted crostinis with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, olive tapenade, basil pesto, chilli salsa and pecorino cheese R95.00 (for 2 people)

MAINS
Catch of the day Pan fried fish served on baby pea risotto with a pecorino cheese, broccoli and almond salad with lemon and parsley sauce R 110.00 Black Marble Hill Beef Fillet Biltong rubbed, grilled beef fillet served with Black Marble Hill Syrah sauce served with farm chips and roasted peppers and butternut. R 140.00 Venison Fillet Grilled venison fillet served with charred polenta, wilted spinach and red onion confit. Served with a fig and port sauce R 130.00 Roasted Pork Fillet Pork fillet marinated with dukka and yoghurt, pan roasted with confit of garlic, sliced on a potato and bacon rosti topped with fresh rocket leaves and tzatziki sauce R 100.00 Chicken and Avocado wrap Flame grilled Cajun chicken with avocado, fresh baby spinach leaves and mozzarella cheese wrapped in a tortilla wrap served with sweet potato wedges R 90.00 Butternut and caramelized onion burger Roasted butternut, beetroot, mushrooms, walnuts with caramelized onions and fresh rocket leaves served on a toasted ciabatta roll served with spicy potato wedges R 70.00 Mushroom Fettuccini Fettuccini tossed with sauted forest mushrooms, garlic and finished with Pecorino cheese R 70.00

DESSERTS
Chocolate Pudding Light chocolate pudding with a melted chocolate centre, chocolate ice-cream and a Kahlua chocolate shot R 48.00 Vanilla Ice Cream Drizzled with Black Marble Hill Syrah and dark chocolate sauce R 30.00 Crme brle Citrus flavoured crme brle Served with lemongrass biscotti R 30.00 Lemon and Strawberry Tart Freshly baked lemon tart topped with fresh strawberries and Cointreu glaze served with a Chantilly cream R 35.00 Cheese Platter (for 2 people) A selection of local cheeses served with savory biscuits, preserved figs and homemade chilli jam. Dalwood Brie, Forest Hill Camembert, Zevenwacht mature Cheddar, Fairview Blue and Black Pepper Kwaito R 65.00 Hot Chocolate Homemade creamy hot chocolate made from real chocolate, served with delicious chocolate brownies R 25.00 Iced Coffee Freshly brewed espresso coffee with vanilla ice cream and cream, garnished with chocolate twirls. R 25.00 Milkshakes Mixed berry, chocolate, vanilla or strawberry R 25.00