Nuy ‘oasis’ showcases Inspiration, Mastery, Legacy… and top Muscadel

IT WAS ABOUT TIME! Long overdue, you might say… By far and away South Africa’s leading producer of fortified dessert wines over the past 30 years or so and with a reputation for great-value quaffers too, Nuy Winery east of Worcester had made do with a rather humble cellar-door tasting and sales facility until the new showcase venue, restaurant and deli opened in December 2015. Located on a slight elevation alongside the R60 at the turn-off to the Nuy Valley and cellars, ‘Nuy on the hill’ is a welcome oasis of sorts on the wine route between Worcester and Robertson and speaks of the local farmers stepping up a gear.

The restaurant – serving all week from 9am until late afternoon – offers a great view from indoor and outdoor seating, a menu comprising well-priced tapas, pizzas, burgers, steaks as well as banting dishes, with picnic baskets and blankets available from a deli that stocks cold meats, cheeses, breads, pastries, savouries and preserves. Nuy on the hill also features a mountain bike route and wash station, plus a play area for children that includes a jungle gym.

On the wine front, Nuy has undergone a packaging revamp together with the introduction of several quality tiers. There is a popular Chenin and Colombar among five whites priced at R36 to R43 a bottle and four reds at R50 a bottle in the Inspiration range. The Mastery range of Chardonnay (R75pb), Cabernet, Pinotage and Shiraz (all R95pb) promises more complexity, with the flagship Legacy range including a Cape Blend called Argilla from Shiraz and Pinotage, Nuy’s first Cap Classique sparkling wine named Celine and a non-vintage Muscadel (all R150pb), plus a potstill brandy (R175pb).

Incredibly, the separately-positioned vintage Muscadels – the only fortified dessert wines in the Top Wine SA Hall of Fame – are priced at just R48 a bottle for the current-release 2014 White Muscadel and 2015 Red Muscadel. Fantastic value for a couple of sweets that have won accolades aplenty at South Africa’s major wine shows. Delicious even in the heat of summer, served ice-cold!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

One comment

  • Cost of the food and drinks at Nuy on the hill?

    Tapas: from R25 per plate
    Pizzas: from R60
    Burgers: from R70
    Steaks: from R110

    Milkshakes: from R20
    Wine: from R36 a bottle
    Spirits: from R15 a glass
    Beers: from R20 a bottle
    Kahlua Coffee: R25

Want to have your say?