Willow Creek Vineyard reopened in 2017, after a dramatic makeover. The property now contains a lavish 46-room hotel known as Jackalope; Flaggerdoot, the hotel’s bar; and Rare Hare, a warm, communal restaurant that looks onto the 11-hectare vineyard.
As for Doot Doot Doot – one glance through the restaurant’s doors will give you a clear idea what it’s all about. The ceiling is covered in 10,000 golden, undulating lights installed by artist Jan Flook, to represent a wine mid-ferment. Expensive? Yes. Extravagant? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely.
Get comfortable in one of the inky banquettes – you’ll be here for a while. The wine cellar runs to 1200 bottles and the set menu demands five courses’ worth of your time. As befits this sort of restaurant, you can opt for matched wines or juices with every course.