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The Great Turnabout: An Evening of Portuguese Flavours and Paarl Wines
The Great Turnabout, a one-night-only Winemaker’s Dinner at The Bistro at Brookdale Estate in the Paarl Winelands, will see Chef Gary Coetzee and winemaker Xander Sadie swap their usual roles for an informal celebration of the relationship between food and wine. Taking place on 27 August 2026, guests can expect a blend of storytelling, laughter, plenty of kitchen banter and a few surprises as the two share their respective passions from a rather different perspective.
The Portuguese-inspired menu draws on Xander’s time working in the cellar at Luis Seabra Vinhos in the Douro, bringing the flavours and traditions of Portugal to the Paarl Winelands. Each course will be paired with Brookdale Estate wines, including a selection of Mediterranean-inspired blends.
The evening begins with Tabua de Pães, featuring toasted baguette with sardines, Bacalhau fritters and marinated roasted red pepper, paired with Brookdale Sixteen Field Blend 2025. This is followed by Caldo Verde, a traditional potato and kale soup with grilled chorizo, served alongside Brookdale Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024.
For the main courses, roasted line fish (Asado ao Forno de Peixe) is paired with Brookdale Bradbourne Estate Blend 2025, followed by Arroz de Pato – shredded duck and rice with duck breast smoked over French oak – matched with Brookdale Grenache Noir 2025.
The savoury finale is Beef a Portuguesa, featuring fillet of beef and Brookdale Twenty Field Blend 2025. Dessert takes a decadent turn with Abade de Priscos, a rich Portuguese-style caramel flan.
More than a traditional wine dinner, The Great Turnabout is designed as an intimate and entertaining evening where the people behind the food and wine take centre stage. With limited seating, early reservations are recommended.
For those wanting to turn the evening into a Paarl Winelands getaway, accommodation is available at the Manor House at R3 525 per person sharing, including breakfast.
The Great Turnabout Winemaker’s Dinner Details
📅 Thursday, 27 August 2026
📍 The Bistro at Brookdale Estate, Paarl Winelands
💰 R1 150 per person, including wine pairing
🏡 Manor House accommodation: R3 525 per person sharing, including breakfast
🍷 Reservations: Dineplan
🌿 Brookdale Estate