Summer has well and truly arrived in warmhearted Stellenbosch. If you’re looking for a way to appreciate the season in all its glory, why not lay out a blanket on the lawn, enjoy a basket overflowing with delicious goodies and a fantastic bottle of wine and savour every moment of a relaxing picnic?
We’ve put together a list of the best picnic spots and experiences to enjoy this summer.
Quoin Rock
Indulge in farm-fresh deliciousness in a custom-made, private picnic pergola when picnicking at Quoin Rock. Along with the delectable nibbles inside your pre-packed basket, you’ll enjoy superior service, bottomless still or sparkling water, and a selection of the estate’s most delectable wines to complement the assortment of flavours on offer.
Tuck into a freshly baked French baguette with Namysto sweet wine butter, biltong pate and cashew pesto, a diverse cheese and meat spread, an assortment of crisp and refreshing salads, and succulent pork belly confit, all finished off with a delicious dessert.
Cost: R400 per adult. R180 per child.
Bookings: +27 (0) 21 888 4750 or winelounge@quoinrock.co.za
Spier
Spier Wine Farm is best-known for its sprawling natural beauty, meaning there’s plenty of choice when it comes to deciding where to settle down for your picnic. Sit on the banks of the dam, relish in the soft grass on the lawns, or seek shelter from the sunshine underneath the oak trees.
All Spier picnics are inspired by the seasons and boast plenty of ingredients sourced from the farm and other local producers. Along with the classic option, Spier also caters to vegan and vegetarian picnickers, as well as offering a kiddies’ picnic basket, chockfull of child-approved favourites!
The classic spring/summer picnic comes with a selection of cheese with preserves and lavash, country pâté with a baby salad, roast Farmer Angus beef rump and pickles, and much more.
The vegetarian option includes herbed falafel with chickpea hummus, Vietnamese rice-wrapped vegetable spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce, a selection of vegetable crudités from the Spier Food Garden, with roast garlic and herb dip and much more.
Cost: R345 per person. Kiddies picnic at R160 per child (under 12)
Bookings: Book online here or call +27 (0) 21 809 1159
Hartenberg
Hartenberg Wine Estate is another top spot for a family-friendly afternoon of laughter, bonding, and delicious eats. The sizable picnic gardens are ideal for letting the kiddies run free while the adults sit back, relax, and relax with a glass of white or red.
The Hartenberg pre-packed picnic basket is over-flowing with farm-baked breads, local cheeses, seasonal salads, dips, their famous snoek paté and more, along with a sweet treat to finish. Vegan and vegetarian options are available on request, and there’s something special on the menu for the kids too. They’ll munch on crumbed, free-range chicken strips with sweet potato fries and honey mustard mayo dipping sauce, a jar of baby veggie crudités and a homemade chocolate brownie as dessert.
Cost: R340 – R400 per adult. R125 per child.
Bookings: Book online here or call +27 (0) 21 865 2541
Hazendal Wine Estate
If you’re in the mood for a picnic with a twist, then Hazendal Wine Estate’s Babushka picnics are sure to go down a treat! Settle down in the fragrant gardens or alongside the wetlands, giving the little ones the chance to splash around and explore.
The Babushka-inspired baskets are filled with a hearty mix of both Russian and South African delicacies, from pickled herring in sour cream, onions, herbs and dill cucumber to garlic and lime Asian salad, promising a truly diverse adventure for the senses.
Hazendal also offers special menus for vegetarians (the highlight is undoubtedly the falafel balls and aromantic cumin roasted baby carrots with tzatziki) and vegans.
The kiddies’ menu is also always a hit, including mini beef meatballs with a BBQ dipping sauce, crispy potato wedges, mini sweet treats pack and more.
Cost: R350 per adult. R175 per child.
Bookings: Book online or call +27 (0)21 903 5034
Jordan Wine Estate
Nature lovers and foodies flock to Jordan Wine Estate to take full advantage of its private picnic pods, expansive green lawns, and breath-taking views of the Stellenbosch Kloof Valley and Stellenbosch Mountains.
The food is also nothing short of incredible, with luxuries like in-house baked focaccia, locally sourced charcuterie, a cheese selection, homemade preserves, spreads, aubergine atchar and whipped butter, and something sweet. Separate kids’ baskets are on offer too, featuring a petit beef sausage roll, a mini margarita pizza, a packet of crisps, a juice box, and a giant cookie.
Cost: R625 per basket (feeds 2 adults). R169 per child.
Bookings: +27 (0)21 881 3441 or reservations@jordanwines.com
Zevenwacht Wine Estate
Who wouldn’t want to tuck into Stellenbosch’s finest on Zevenwacht’s tree-shaded lawns, sloping down to the lake? All baskets are packed to the brim with bread and biscuits, cold meats, cheeses, and salads, with vegetarian and children’s options available.
Braai masters who are keen to fire up the grill instead can also request a classic Farmhouse Braai Basket, packed with everything required to make their own braai under the shade of the large oak trees. Wood, firelighters and a braai grid are all provided.
Cost: R500 per basket (serves 2 adults). R95 per child. Braai picnic R600 per basket (serving 2 adults)
Bookings: +27 (0)21 900 5800 or restaurant@zevenwacht.co.za
Koelenhof
Relish in the wonders of the Winelands with a picnic at Koelenhof. It’s a go-to for both romantic and family-friendly picnics, promising gorgeous scenery and even better food and drink.
Bring your own blanket and choose from two pre-packed baskets based on your preferences. The Koelenbosch basket is the most indulgent, including a cheese platter, biltong pate, roosterkoek, olives, dry wors, seasonal fruits and Belgian chocolate.
The Koelenhof basket is filled with similar, yet fewer nibbles. Both baskets are served with a bottle of Koelenhof wine or grape juice.
There’s also the Koel Kids basket on offer, boasting highlights like roosterkoek, fruit snaps, and dry wors.
Cost: R300 – R450 per basket (feeds 2 adults).
Bookings: +27 (0)21 865 2020 or sales@koelenhof.co.za
Zorgvliet Wine Estate
Marvel at the historic, white-washed Cape Dutch architecture, inhale the fresh air of the Banghoek Valley, and bask in the warm, welcoming sunshine when you decide to picnic at Zorgvliet Wine Estate.
Lay out your blanket (remember to bring your own) in the thick of the shady oak trees or grab a table to admire the view as you peruse the picnic basket menu (it’s definitely one of the town’s most extensive) ahead of embarking on your memorable culinary journey.
Some of the delightful baskets on offer include the Family for Four (R960), the Silvermyn for Two (R555), the Meaty for Two (R595), and the Veggie for Two (R605), to name just a few. The kiddies’ basket is available at R140 and suitable for little ones under the age of six.
Cost: Between R595 – R960 per basket. R140 per child under six.
Bookings: +27 (0) 21 885 1399 or info@zorgvliet.com
Hidden Valley Wines
It’s all about nature, colourful birdlife, thriving indigenous gardens, and, of course, South African wine at Hidden Valley Wines. Appreciate the magic of the setting by sitting down to a hearty picnic at a secluded spot next to the dam.
You’ll be able to dip into a picnic basket for two comprising sweet and savoury treats like Schoon Ciabatta, Olive oil & olives, selections of cold meats( Coppa & Pastrami) as well as Brie, Boland and Hugenot cheeses accompanied by preserves, green figs and biscuits. Ending of your picnic experience with Mini pies and something sweet. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are also available on request.
Cost: R530 per basket (feeds 2 adults).
Bookings: +27 (0) 21 880 2646 or winetasting@hiddenvalleywines.co.za
Boschendal Wine Estate
Let the sunshine revitalise your mind, body, and soul on the Pavilion lawn at Boschendal Wine Estate, celebrated for its farm-to-fork philosophy and unrivalled kid adventure spots. Feel free to bring your own blankets or chairs for a picnic made up of the best seasonal produce. It’s a must-visit for families, especially considering that The Tree House Playground and legendary Pump Track are both accessible from the picnic lawns, perfect for keeping children aged between 5 and 14 years entertained while mom and dad relax.
Highlights include food made from our natural farm produce including freshly baked bread, green salads from our Werf Food Garden, free-range charcuterie cuts from the Boschendal Butchery, homemade preserves and one of our celebrated desserts. Vegetarian and children’s menus are available.
Cost: R680 Basket for 2 | R355 Basket for 1 | R195 Kids basket (3 – 12 yrs)
Bookings: +27 (0) 21 870 4273/4 or reservations@boschendal.co.za or book online.
Mooiplaas Wine Estate
It’s sure to be a summer afternoon well-spent when tucking into a pre-packed gourmet picnic basket out in the beautiful Mooiplaas Wine Estate garden overlooking the vineyards.
Visitors have a choice between a classic gourmet basket and a charming cheese platter. The basket features a baguette, pasta salad, hummus, preserves, fresh fruit, a bottle from the estate’s Collection wines, and more. Each cheese platter comprises crackers, salami, olives, preserves, two cheeses, and freshly picked fruit.
Cost: R430 per basket or R175 per platter (both feed 2 adults).
Bookings: +27 (0) 21 200 7493 or info@mooiplaas.co.za
Blaauwklippen Vineyards
Celebrate summer to the fullest with a Blaauwklippen picnic box at the Farm Shop & Deli. Filled with seasonal delights and delicious eats and treats, you can choose between a Deli Menu or a Cheese Menu for your next family day out or a romantic date.
Cost: R245 per box
Bookings: Email farmshop@blaauwklippen.com to book your picnic
Cavalli Estate
Who doesn’t love a picnic? Sit back and relax on our manicured lawns, with Cavalli’s new picnic offering. Each basket will entice you with an assortment of local flavours – carefully selected and lovingly put together by Chef Lucas Carstens.
Each basket is themed around this particular focus; on locally and sustainably sourced ingredients.
The basket entices with an assortment of local flavours – which includes Smoked Stanford cheese, pickled grapes, caramelized red onion & ricotta quiche , Smoked local Franschhoek trout pâté, a hearty portion of free range sesame and ginger chicken sosaties and a decadent Basque cheesecake, citrus madeleines and much more. Award winning Cavalli Wines can be purchased on the wine tasting terrace by the bottle to complement the picnic.
Cost: R600 (serves 2 pax)
Bookings: Email office@cavalliestate.com to book your picnic
Haskell Vineyards
Magnificent views and lush green lawns create the mood for a fun and relaxing family picnic and are available from November to April, 09h00 to 18h00.
Picnic baskets consist of home baked breads, a selection of cheeses and preserves, locally cured meats and roasted summer vegetable salads rounded off with some seasonal fruits and chocolate desserts.
Cost: R399.00 for two people
Bookings: Email longtable@haskellvineyards.co.za or call +27 (0)21 881 3746
