Event Recap: Wine Dinner with Thomas Webb of Thelema Mountain Vineyards

On Wednesday, September 24th, we had the honor of welcoming Thomas Webb, owner of Thelema Mountain Vineyards, all the way from Stellenbosch, South Africa, to Ando’s Market for an unforgettable wine dinner.

Back in March 2024, I had the privilege of visiting Thomas, his family, and the breathtaking Thelema estate tucked against the Simonsberg Mountains. Walking the vineyards, meeting the family (and even the vineyard dogs!), and tasting the wines where they’re grown was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To bring a piece of that magic back home and share it with our community felt truly special.

🍷 The Wine

Guests enjoyed a lineup that showcased the diversity of South Africa’s terroir—from crisp, cool-climate Sauvignon Blancs to rich, structured Cabernet Sauvignons from Thelema’s reserve collection. Each pour carried a story, brought to life by Thomas himself.

Thelema Mountain White: This vibrant aromatic wine exhibits beautiful passionfruit and gooseberry aromas which merge with hints of apricot and melon on the nose. The palate is medium bodied with a crisp clean finish. The Sauvignon blanc provides fresh natural acidity, while the Viognier adds palate weight, layers of complexity and depth to the wine.

Sutherland Cool Climate Sauv Blanc: Beautiful purity of limes and ripe gooseberry, with tropical, floral and fine herbal notes. This is cool climate Sauvignon Blanc – vibrant, mineral, elegant, balanced and delicate, with a long, layered and complex finish.

Thelema Chardonnay 2022: Fermented and matured in French oak barrels, the 2023 vintage offers a finely balanced expression of Stellenbosch Chardonnay. Aromas of lemon zest and white blossom lead into subtle notes of stone fruit and toasted almonds on the palate. Medium bodied with bright acidity and a refined mineral core, the wine finishes with a long, creamy texture and gentle oak integration.

Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: Complex and stylish, with aromas of blackcurrant leaf and coffee bean which progresses into a palate that’s structured and racy with hints of leather, dark chocolate and sweet blackberry. The firm tannins yields a gripping mouthfeel from the first sip through to the long lingering finish.

Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon The Mint 2022: The source of the “mint” character is attributed to the airborne transfer from the Eucalyptus trees, which border this specific Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard, to the grape berries. The berries outer wax layer adsorbs Eucalyptol, a compound responsible for the aroma, released into the air by the trees. It subsequently becomes dissolved during the fermentation process, which takes place on the skins, inevitably giving the wine a “minty” character unique to this vineyard.

Thelema Vin de Hel Muscat Late Harvet 2022: A golden dessert wine with classic Muscat aromas. The nose shows layers of citrus, apricot, pineapple and a touch of honey, supported by subtle floral notes. The palate is rich and concentrated, with a fine balance of natural sweetness and fresh acidity.

🍽️ The Menu

To complement the wines, we served a thoughtfully crafted four-course dinner:

Seared Scallop, Citrus Beurre Blanc, Cilantro Oil, Micro Green

Lobster Salad, Sweet Roll

Lamb Ragu, Yogurt, Mint, Fettuccine

White Chocolate Mousse, Ginger Apricot Granola, Pistachio, Poached Stone Fruit

✨ The Experience

What made the evening truly memorable were the stories and insights Thomas shared. His passion for winemaking and stewardship of his family’s estate came through in every glass, reminding us that wine is as much about people and place as it is about flavor.

It was an intimate, joy-filled evening of food, wine, and connection—and a reminder of why we love what we do at Ando’s.

A huge thank you to Thomas Webb and Thelema Mountain Vineyards for making the journey, and to our guests for helping us bring a little slice of Stellenbosch to White Marsh. 🍷🌍