1. D'aria
There are a couple of reasons why I love D'aria. Firstly, it is literally five minutes from where I am staying at the moment, they have an amazing wine called Blush, consisting of crisp Sauvignon Blanc flavours and Meerlot's red berry fruits and the tasting area, stretches out onto a wooden deck, under the trees, overlooking a dam. The wine, the view and the staff there, just deliver on every level.
Perfect for: Enjoying a bottle of wine with a friend after work on a Friday.
Tasting: R 20 pp
Food: Burgers and cheese platters
Location: Durbanville region
Info: www.diariawinery.co.za
D'aria tasting area
2. Warwick
The wide open lawns and shimmering lake make it a tough place to beat in Summer. The picnic pods dotted around the garden are a stunning feature and ensures some privacy. The gourmet picnic for two is absolutely amazing and will leave you struggling to finish the delectable fare. They have a wide range of award-winning wines to choose from, plus you can go on a big 5 vineyard safari, where they show you the different vines across the estate. Keep a whole day open to experience all that Warwick has to offer.
Perfect for: A special date/anniversary
Picnic: R 375 per basket(gourmet or vegetarian)
Location: Stellenbosch region
Info: www.warwickwine.com
Warwick Estate picnic set-up
3. Beyerskloof
Also known as the champions of South Africa's signature red wine. This top notch estate is a must-try for pinotage lovers. If do stop there to try their magnificent collection of robust red's, do not leave without grabbing lunch at the Red Leaf Restaurant, where they have items on the menu such as the very popular pinotage burger and pinotage ice cream. They also have a tasting room where you can try up to ten different pinotages.
Perfect for: Taking family/friends out to a gourmet lunch and wine experience.
Food: Ranges from R 100 - R 120 pp
Location: Stellenbosch region
Info: beyerskloof.co.za
Entrance to Beyerskloof Wine Estate
4. Arra
Perfectly positioned in the shelter of the Klapmuts Mountain where water and sunshine are in abundance. This smaller wine estate, has the most beautiful view, which you can admire from comfy couches on the veranda. The wine tasting experience at Arra is made unforgettable with friendly staff, a wide selection of wines all accompanied by a cheese, cracker and preserve platter. Try their Viognier a favourite of mine,which I can only describe as tasting of Summer.
Perfect for: A family outing over the weekend.
Tasting: R 30 pp
Location: Stellenbosch region
Info: www.arravineyards.com
Tasting area at Arra
5. Blaauwklippen
This wine farm has so much to offer any wine and food lover. Foreigners can have a formal wine tasting conducted in their mother tongue and the tasting room can fit up to eighty people. The informal tasting can be enjoyed indoors or outside in the idyllic gardens, complete with a duck pond. Historic wine cellar tours are also available, as well as a chocolate and wine pairing and won't you know it, if you are in the mood for something stronger, you can try their potstill brandies. They also have The Bistro, which will provide excellent food and service, or if you want to stay outside in the nice weather, they also have picnic baskets on offer.
Perfect for: Showing off our beautiful country to foreigners.
Tasting: R 20 pp
Food & wine pairing: R 150 pp
Wine & chocolate tasting: R 80 pp
Location: Stellenbosch region
Info: www.blaauwklippen.com
Dining area at Blaauwklippen
6. Eaglevlei
A picturesque view of the Stellenbosch mountains will enchant visitors, while they enjoy a wide range of wines in the tasting facilities or whilst enjoying a culinary experience in their restaurant. I really enjoyed their Berghaan Blanc de Noir that accompanied my mushroom risotto and for the meat lovers the pork belly, is a firm favourite. They also have a jungle gym outside that will keep the young ones busy, while you enjoy your vino.
Perfect for: Keeping everyone in the family happy on a day outing
Food: Weekly specials range from R 70-R 80
Location: Stellenbosch/Klapmuts region
Info: www.eaglevlei.com
Eaglevlei patio
7. Delheim
There is no better place to unwind, than at Delheim's tranquil gardens, where traditional German and South African inspired cuisine is sure to revive you. Delheim has been producing internationally acclaimed wines for over sixty years, so you know it is pure quality that will be poured into every glass. Take a guided cellar tour, do a wine tasting in the quaint downstairs cellar, dine al fresco in the garden or cosy up inside next to the fire in the winter.
Perfect for: If you want to be transported back in time to an old world traditional wine farm.
Picnic: R 200 pp
Food: Ranges from R 65 - R 110
Location: Stellenbosch region
Info: www.delheim.com
Delheim's downstairs cellar
8. Doolhof
Doolhof lies comfortably nestled in the lap of the Bovlei valley. Personally, one of my favourite picnic spots, because you can choose to enjoy your picnic on the the beautiful manicured lawns or find a quiet spot in the trees next to Kromme river. There is also a river walk, which will take you several kilometres along the river to choose your picnic spot or you can do a ten kilometre walk through the vineyards. On your walk, you may also come across small mammals in the form of buck, baboon and the odd porcupine.
Perfect for: If you enjoy some exercise with your wine & dine.
Tasting: R 20 pp
Food: picnic or light lunches
Location: Wellington region
Info: www.doolhof.com
The Bovlei valley surrounding Doolhof
9. Laborie
Laborie has been producing fine wines since 1698, making it one of the oldest operational farms in the country. This supreme estate will satisfy the senses, with breath taking views, delectable meals prepared by internationally acclaimed chef Matthew Gordon, award winning wines and the sound of nature residing in your ears. My favourite part of this estate, is definitely the different taste pairings. The chocolate from the chocolate and wine pairing is specifically made to compliment each wine.
Perfect for: Tempting the palate and gaining knowledge into the world of wine & food pairing.
Tasting: R 30 pp
Olive & wine tasting: R 35 pp
Charcuterie & wine tasting: R 50 pp
Chocolate & wine tasting: R 45 pp
Macaron & Method Cap Classique tasting: R 50 pp
Location: Paarl region
Info: www.laboriewines.co.za
The Laborie Estate
10. Fairview
Known for their cheese, as well as, their wine. Fairview never ceases to amaze me, from the tasting pods in their wine tasting area, where a host will guide you through tasting six of their wines, to the cheese tasting area, which will leave you lusting for more, in which case you can simply purchase some of their delicious cow- and goats milk cheese or you can enjoy lunch at the Goatshed restaurant. The actual goats that are roaming around, creates a rustic atmosphere and you can watch over their antics while dining al fresco on the terrace outside the Goatshed.
Perfect for: Those who have teetotallers in the group(they serve an amazing non-alcoholic EGA drink at the Goatshed made from rooibos)
Tasting: R 25 pp
Beryl Back tasting: R 60 pp inc. 8 wines, cheeses and olive oil
Cheese tasting: R 12 pp
Location: Paarl region
Info: fairview.co.za
If you feel I missed a particularly special wine farm, holla at me with a mail lana.francis47@gmail.com, otherwise enjoy.
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