The winelands are looking good after the late rains we have had and at this stage in the year the wine farms are busy with visitors. 

It’s fun tasting wines in such beautiful surroundings and several of the Cape wineries are offering picnics to entice you stay a little longer.

Here are some of them that we visited recently and highly recommend.

Steenberg Vineyards

Situated in the Constantia Valley, Steenberg Vineyards have introduced decadent picnics for the festive season at R300 for a picnic box for 2 which includes either a bottle of Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot.

The bright red picnic box offers a selection of scrumptious goodies which includes mini French Style Baguettes enjoyed with accompanying home-made smoked salmon or mushroom and thyme pâté, as well as Cape cheeses from Dalewood Fromage in Klapmuts. 

The delicious charcuterie selection provided by Martin Raubenheimer of Cure Deli fame adds to the sensory delight, along with goat’s cheese tartlets, baby potato salad and baby bocconcini salad.

Melt-in-the-mouth chocolate brownies prove irresistible and end it all off on a sweet note.

All this is washed down with a bottle of one of Steenberg’s superb food wines served in decent glass stemware.

While you can opt for the Merlot, my choice for the picnic was their delicious Sauvignon Blanc! The eco-conscious will be pleased to know that whatever you can’t eat is biodegradable.

Childrens picnics are available on request.

To book contact 021 713 2211 or info@steenberg.co.za

Warwick Estate

The picnics at Warwick outside Stellenbosch have been attracting both new and repeat customers for several years now and deservedly so. Three style of picnic baskets are on offer:  The Gourmet at R299.00, the Vegetarian at R299.00 and one for children under 12 @ R49.00.

The baskets are brimming with delicious goodies and the Gourmet includes oak smoked Norwegian salmon, biltong paté, a selection of Charcuterie served along with oak smoked cheddar and sundried tomato purée as well as other tempting delights!

Before settling down to one of the designated picnic areas around the lake (called "pods") you can take the family for The Big 5 Wine Safari.

Younger children are most welcome and can enjoy many hours on the huge jungle gym provided.

There are lovely wines to choose from. We enjoyed the delicious Warwick Chardonnay with our picnic.

To book contact 021 884 3144 or jani@warwickwine.com

Hartenberg

Since the '80’s this delightful estate has been offering their superb picnic lunches on their beautiful lawns close to the wine cellar and tasting room.

The picnic baskets offer delicious wholesome and fresh country fare, and if you want to make a day of it, then you can enjoy a game of boules or croquet on the lawns.

At R135.00 per person, this summer picnic menu includes a carafe of Hartenberg wine, Eleanor Finlayson’s famous smoked snoek pâté and a selection of home-baked breads as a starter followed by a grilled rosemary and lemon chicken skewers, butter bean dip, locally cured cold meats, spinach and feta spanakopita, orzo salad with fine fresh herbs, roasted summer vegetable salads and a selection of crudités.

Local cheeses and preserves, mini baguette and fresh seasonal fruit are also included and last but not least the menu is rounded off with coffee or tea and koeksisters for dessert. 

Their range of excellent wines are available for the picnic and our choice was the Hartenberg Weisser Riesling.

To book contact 021 865 2541 or info@hartenbergestate.com  

Click to page two for the next three recommended picnic spots!