Ellerman House Launches Curate in Its Iconic Wine Gallery

All phtotography by Felix Studios

There are meals you remember for what you ate, and then there are meals you remember for how they made you feel. At Ellerman House, the latter has long been the goal. With the introduction of Curate, the storied Cape Town, South Africa, property deepens that philosophy, inviting guests into a slower, more contemplative dining experience, set within its striking Wine Gallery, designed by renowned sculptor Angus Taylor.

Curate feels like a natural evolution for Ellerman House, where wine, art, and storytelling have always been inseparable. In collaboration with Angus, property co-owner Nell Harris—along with Natalie Haarhof of Just Design and Christoph Karl from Guideline Design—worked together to blend natural textures and refined aesthetic elements throughout the interior design of the space, transforming the Wine Gallery into an immersive dining environment. Home to more than 10,000 bottles, the Wine Gallery is not simply a backdrop—it’s an active participant in the experience.

Designed as a space of intention and reverence for provenance, Curate sets the tone immediately, surrounding guests with a sense of craft, history, and quiet conversation. The tasting menu, expertly crafted by Chef Kieran Whyte, unfolds deliberately, shaped by subtle seasonal shifts rather than dramatic reinvention. Instead of recreating heritage dishes, Kieran draws inspiration from landscape, climate, and local produce—allowing South Africa’s diversity to emerge through restraint, balance, and clarity of flavor. His approach mirrors the measured pace of the dining experience itself. He brings Afrikaner flavors and local fare to life with a modern twist.

At Curate, wine pairings are treated as narrative companions rather than supporting acts, chosen to echo, contrast, or gently challenge what’s on the plate. The close collaboration between kitchen and cellar ensures that dishes and pairings evolve together, creating moments where a single sip can completely reframe a course.

Art completes the circle. Sculptural collaborations, including works by Angus, help define the emotional rhythm of the space, encouraging guests to slow down, observe, and engage more deeply.

“Curating is about bringing together the right elements,” Angus says. “Using regional materials—stone, soil, wood—I wanted the space to speak to terroir, where every detail is considered, and nothing is exactly the same.” It’s a continuation of Ellerman House’s belief that dining should be layered, immersive, and quietly profound.

Curate isn’t about spectacle or performance. It’s about presence—about paying attention to what’s on the plate, in the glass, and in the design all around you. In a city as visually arresting as Cape Town, that kind of understated confidence feels like the ultimate luxury.

—Murrye Bernard