Terrarium Restaurant’s Wine List Earns Global Recognition

Cape Town, 24 April 2025 – Terrarium, the edgy fine dining restaurant at the Queen Victoria Hotel by Newmark Hotels & Reserves in Cape Town, has been awarded Silver in the Best International Newcomer Wine List category at the Star Wine List of the Year International Open 2025 — the global awards platform recognising outstanding wine programmes in hospitality. Terrarium is the only South African establishment recognised in this category, and one of just two South African venues acknowledged across this year’s nine award categories.

The award recognises the wine list curated by Newmark Group Sommelier Marlvin Gwese, featuring a considered selection of small, bespoke producers, Cape Winemakers Guild auction wines, and large-format magnums. Each wine is chosen for its character and sense of place, and carefully paired to complement Chef Patron Chris Erasmus’ menus, which focus on bold, seasonal flavours and locally foraged ingredients.

“Our aim is always to offer guests an outstanding beverage experience,” says Gwese. “For the Terrarium wine list to be recognised among some of the best in the world is a pure honour.”

Terrarium’s wine selections are closely informed by the restaurant’s focus on foraged ingredients such as wild mushrooms and coastal herbs.

“Foraged ingredients tend to be delicate, earthy, resinous, or floral,” explains Gwese. “These flavours often call for structured and full-bodied white wines, or mineral-driven reds that bring harmony to the plate.”

Looking ahead, Gwese and the Terrarium team are expanding their Cape Winemakers Guild collection and sourcing exclusive releases to enrich the wine experience further.

In addition to overseeing Terrarium’s wine programme, Marlvin Gwese leads wine curation across Newmark Hotels & Reserves’ broader portfolio. This includes developing a vintage cellar project, aimed at cellaring selected South African wines to offer matured vintages to guests in future years.

“Building a vintage collection takes time, but it allows us to offer rare and exceptional wines with maturity and character — something we are excited to share with our guests,” says Gwese.

Neil Markovitz, CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves, adds: “This recognition is a testament to the creativity and passion within our teams. At Newmark, we believe that every property should tell its own story — and Terrarium’s recognition reflects how authenticity, care, and bold ideas can resonate on a global stage.”

Terrarium’s award highlights a confident new voice in South African fine dining, where bold, seasonal cuisine meets a wine list crafted with care, depth, and a respect for place.

For the complete list of winners, visit Star Wine List. 

About Newmark Hotels & Reserves

Newmark Hotels & Reserves lives by the promise of “Experience Authentic”. It creates memorable and unique experiences for guests, authentic to the location, environment and people of each of its properties.

From gracious boutique luxury hotels to vibrant city hotels, inspiring safari lodges, and blissful island getaways, Newmark is a curator of occasions that excite, serve, soothe, and take care of its guests. Occasions that are complemented by sensorial cuisine, directed by Newmark’s Group Head Chef, and enhanced by the Group Sommelier’s selected wine choices.

Established in 2007, Newmark Hotels & Reserves has its roots in Cape Town and continues to expand throughout Africa. The hospitality management company’s South African footprint includes Cape Town’s iconic V&A Waterfront, the open skies of the Karoo, the rolling green hills of the UNESCO-designated Waterberg Biosphere, and the vast Kruger National Park, where lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards roam free. Further afield, Newmark’s guests can experience West African golf experiences, East African gorilla trekking experiences, and the opulence of Mauritian and Zanzibar beach resorts.