Located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa is sure to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One of the destinations to look forward to in a trip to Africa is Cape Town. For this episode, Andy McNeill & Todd Bludworth interview The Wine Fairy, Katie Barratt, a Cape Town wine expert, and a certified tour guide. Sharing the stage with her is Luis Pinheiro, general manager of The Silo Hotel – the standard for luxury accommodation in Cape Town, housing exotic African contemporary art pieces. Tune in as they explore the exotic luxury centered around Cape Town, South Africa.
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Watch the episode here
Cape Town
South Africa is the world in one country – it’s like diversity and sunshine in a glass. With 11 different soil types, from the mountains to the rivers, and ocean sea breezes, Cape Town is home to the richest and finest wines in the world. With Cape Town’s great scenery and unrivaled contemporary art, it is undoubtedly one of the must-visit destinations in South Africa.
Katie’s Wine Journey
- Moving to South Africa at the age of nine
- 14-day wine tour on the first year of hotel school
- Consultancy business in the hospitality industry
- Understanding the wine supply chain
- Wine tourism & setting up Wine Fairy Tours
- Making her own wine
South African Pride
- 10,000 wineries
- 2,000 wine brands
- Different soil types that can cultivate international wine varieties
- Locally sourced ingredients
- Gorgeous scenery
Katie’s Fine Wine Factors
- Personal mood
- Wine temperature
- What you’re eating
- The company you’re with
- Seasons: best in spring or fall
Katie’s Wine Rules
- If you like the way it smells, put it in your mouth
- If you like the way it tastes, swallow it
- If you like the effect, repeat
Katie’s Ideal Itinerary
- 3 nights in Cape Town
- 2 nights in Winelands
- Head on to South African Safari
- More wine
Andy and Todd’s Cape Town Destination Favorites
- Wine culture in western Cape
- Table Top Mountain
- Green Point District & Cape Town Stadium
- Mandela House in Johannesburg
- Oranjezicht City Farmer’s Market
- Bo Kaap
The Silo Hotel’s Accolades
- Five-star luxury status
- Best City Hotel in Africa 2020 by Travel and Leisure Magazine
- Tallest structure in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1930-1960
The Silo Hotel Architecture & Amenities
- Four-story in-hotel museum
- Bulging 15-feet tall windows
- Rooftop pool
- 360-degree view of Cape Town
- Art concierge
- 25-meter glass-paneled atrium
Luis’s Must-try Activities
- Hiking to the Tabletop Mountain
- Getting down from Tabletop Mountain through cable cars
- A drive to the Chapman’s peak
- Boat ride to Robben Island
- Visit the Winelands
- Cape Town’s botanical gardens
- Hopping on red-top buses to interact with locals
About Katie Barratt
Katie Barratt was born in the UK but has made South Africa her home for 40 years now. South Africa is considered the land of milk and honey, and Katie’s family took this opportunity to spread their wings around its beautiful countryside.
Katie’s wine experience started with a simple wine tour that she absolutely fell in love with. Setting science aside, Katie believes her passion for wine is rooted in the lifestyle, the people, and the stories beyond the glass. As she settled into the beautiful Winelands of Cape Town, she planted her roots and continued to grow and share her knowledge around her love for wine.
About Luis Pinheiro
Luis is the general manager of The Silo Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa. Luis’s 39 years of experience drove his desire to look for and be involved in something new and exciting, all of which The Silo Hotel represented. The Silo Hotel is a five-star luxury property in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront located at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art. The Silo Hotel stands in a building established in the 1920s and was then considered the tallest structure in Sub-Saharan Africa until the late 1960s. Luis takes pride in the hotel’s architecture, housing rooms for accommodation and windows showcasing the magnificent South African views and the contemporary works of art that thrive in its four-story museum.
