Le Grand Bistro Americain in Kirkland hosts wine safari to savor on Sept. 21

Le Grand Bistro Americain proprietor Ted Furst and executive chef Shawn Martin will be hosting a special five-course dinner featuring seven wines from South Africa, where wine has a history dating back more than 350 years – possibly the oldest wine tradition in the New World. The event will take place at 6 p.m. on Sept. 21.

September 10, 2014 6:38 pm
Le Grand Bistro is located in Kirkland.
Le Grand Bistro is located in Kirkland.

Le Grand Bistro Americain proprietor Ted Furst and executive chef Shawn Martin will be hosting a special five-course dinner featuring seven wines from South Africa, where wine has a history dating back more than 350 years – possibly the oldest wine tradition in the New World. The event will take place at 6 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the Kirkland location at 2220 Carillon Point.

Joining them will be winemakers Paul Cluver of Cluver Wines, Angela Jordaan of Jardin Wine Estates and Kathy Jordan of Radford Dale, to share stories about their “wine farms” and the status of winemaking in South Africa. The event starts with a reception in the South Dining Room, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase wines from the dinner at special reduced prices.

The South African wine culture has grown parallel to the country’s social development. While they are seventh in the world’s wine production, their output did not have a presence in the USA until the 1990’s after apartheid ended, due to product boycotts.

Paul Cluver is a family-owned, family-run wine business, located in the cool-climate Elgin Valley, a little more than 43 miles south-east of Cape Town. The property has been in ownership of the Cluver family since 1896. Recognized as pioneers of wine in the area, the focus is on producing elegant wines that are expressive of the terroir.

Gary and Kathy Jordan have been making world-class wines since 1993 on a farm with a 300 year-old history. He’s a geologist; she’s an economist.  Gary’s parents bought the 146 hectare Stellenbosch property in 1982, and embarked on an extensive replanting program, specializing in classic varieties suited to the different soils and slopes. Jardin is the trade name for Jordan Wine Estate in North America.

Radford Dale combines modern winemaking and traditional values to create some of the finest, rarest wines in the Cape. These wines are strongly site-driven, natural and balanced. This world-class range is made with the utmost care and in exceedingly limited quantities.