South African wine bosses to open London Restaurant

Two South African winery bosses have teamed up with the founder of restaurant Vivat Bacchus to open a wine restaurant in London’s City.

Gary and Kathy Jordan from Stellenbosch-based Jordan Wine Estate have teamed up with ex Vivat Bacchus owner Neleen Strauss to open High Timber, a 70 cover restaurant and 40,000 bottle wine cellar near St  Paul’s cathedral.

Although wine from the Jordan Estate will feature on the list, including Cobblers Hill, Nine Yards and Mellifera NLH from the Reserve range, Gary said the restaurant is to offer a global variety, not just wine from South Africa.

“Prices will start at £13-14 a bottle and go up to how ever much people want to pay.

We hope to attract winemakers to the restaurant and diners could be rubbing shoulders with top Burgundy and Bordeaux producers,”

said Gary.

The restaurant will also feature a private dining area, cheese room and off-sales.

The Jordans are also opening a restaurant at the winery in Stellenbosch.

“We don’t expect this one to open until later in the year because we are concentrating on High Timber at the moment,” added Gary.

He claims High Timber is the first wine producer-owned restaurant in London and doors are set to open in spring.