SALON BY LUKE DALE ROBERTS AND DE TOREN TO HOST UNREPEATABLE WINE DINNER IN SEPTEMBER
Cape Town, South Africa, 6 August 2025: In an unprecedented meeting of culinary artistry and vinous heritage, SALON by Luke Dale Roberts will host a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration dinner with acclaimed Stellenbosch estate De Toren on Friday the 5 September 2025. This exclusive experience is strictly limited and will feature an extraordinary vertical tasting of De Toren’s most historic vintages, some of which may never be opened again.
For one night only, guests will be treated to a six-course dinner designed by Luke Dale Roberts and Executive Chef Carla Schulze, each dish thoughtfully created to complement the character and story of each wine. The wines themselves are nothing short of historic, with vintages drawn from De Toren’s private library, including bottles no longer available to the public.
Most remarkably, the evening will be hosted by all three De Toren winemakers past and present: Albie Koch, Charles Williams, and Martin Fourie, each presenting their respective maiden vintage that they personally made. This is a rare opportunity to engage with three generations of winemaking talent in one room.
A JOURNEY THROUGH VINTAGES WITH THE DE TOREN WINEMAKERS
Fusion V 1999
Crafted by Albie Koch, this was De Toren’s very first release, South Africa’s first premium five-varietal Bordeaux-style blend from a gravity-fed cellar. Just 24 bottles remain, all held in the estate’s private library.
Fusion V 2009
Made by Charles Williams, this vintage comes from one of South Africa’s most celebrated harvests. A structured, expressive wine with depth and elegance. Only 18 bottles remain in De Toren’s private library.
Fusion V 2019
The first vintage by Martin Fourie, made after the drought years in cooler growing conditions. The result is a wine of restraint and freshness, layered, vibrant, and true to De Toren’s signature balance.
Book XVII 2017 (Magnum)
As the final pour of the evening, this ultra-rare wine will be served from one of only 20 magnums ever produced. Book XVII is regarded as one of De Toren’s finest and most collectable wines to date, with magnums never before released to the public.
THE SETTING: SALON
The dinner will take place at SALON, the elegant, story-driven dining room located within The Old Biscuit Mill. Since opening, SALON has drawn critical acclaim and was named Africa’s Best New Restaurant at the 2024 World Culinary Awards, followed by its win as Restaurant of the Year at the 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards.
SALON is known for its sensory, seasonally driven menus and immersive approach to dining. With its atmospheric Art Deco interior and deeply personal service, it provides the perfect setting for an evening of rare wines, meaningful conversation, and food with soul.
The evening begins with seasonal aperitifs and snacks, followed by a six-course menu paired with De Toren’s rarest wines:
Seasonal Aperitifs:
· Quince & Blueberry Gimlet
· Grapefruit & Wild Rosemary Mule
· Kumquat Marmalade Sour
· Salon Old Fashioned
Accompanied Snacks:
· Horseradish Oyster
· Yuzu Prawn Taco
· Slangetjie
1st Course – De Toren Delicate
Dish: ‘Pulpo a la Gallega’
2nd Course – No wine pairing
Dish: Branston Pickle & Cheese with Laminated Brioche Bread.
3rd Course – Fusion V 2019
Dish: Smoked 5 Spice Duck, Turnip, Cherry
4th Course – Fusion V 2009
Dish: Springbok, Mole, Beetroot
5th Course – Fusion V 1999
Dish: Quail, Cranberry, Foie Gras, Truffle
6th Course – Book XVII 2017 (Magnum)
Dish: Assiette of Lamb, Gruyere cauliflower cheese
Finale:
SALON chocolate macaron and bonbons.
Throughout the evening, guests will engage directly with each winemaker as they share insights into the vineyard, the cellar, and the evolution of De Toren’s house style.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Friday 5 September 2025
Venue: SALON by Luke Dale Roberts, The Old Biscuit Mill, Cape Town
Price: R3950 per person (includes all wines and food)
Seats: only 30 seats available
Reservations: Via Dinepaln https://salonct.co.za/reservation/
About De Toren Private Cellar
A pioneering winery based in Stellenbosch, De Toren is widely regarded for placing South African Bordeaux-style blends on the world stage. With a philosophy rooted in restraint, design, and innovation, its wines have become benchmarks of elegance and longevity.
About SALON by Luke Dale Roberts
SALON is an intimate, concept-led restaurant from internationally renowned chef Luke Dale Roberts. Located in Cape Town’s Old Biscuit Mill, SALON offers immersive menus in an evocative setting, where storytelling and fine dining meet.
For press and media assistance in South Africa, contact Lise Manley, of Manley Communications, via lise@publicity.co.za or call +27 (0) 82 828 5168.
ENDS