I am also one of those who does not really like to leave home when the weather gets nasty, but living in the Cape means that you don't really have much choice, else your duvet and sofa will be doing overtime!
We have a few lovely choices for you - from Stellies to Cape Town to Franschhoek, some with yummy burgers, some farmy food, some top end cuisine and generally a great selection to suit any palate.
If you live in the city (Cape Town) that is, then without getting too far out - head for Steenberg Winery. Go for a brisk walk in the Tokai forest first and then nip in to Steenberg - perhaps even to their Spa for a hot stone massage and then once your appetite is seriously tantalised - enjoy at drink at their bar and then tuck in to one of their Winter Specials - 2 courses for R165 or 3 for R195 at Catharina's restaurant - which has a lovely chalkboard menu and fireplaces to boot.
If you are feeling brave enough, you could also nip down the N1 from the city and then take the R44 & R45 towards Franschhoek. Just before the town, on the left, you will find Hanneli Rupert & Hein Koegelenberg's beautiful farm La Motte.
Hanneli has put in countless hours and also spent a considerable fortune on bringing the Pierneef artworks under one roof - so well worth a visit to that first, then a tasting and then relax into some plush chairs, sit near the fire and enjoy their Cape Winelands cuisine in the Pierneef restaurant. Look out for the delightful crockery chandeliers.
If you are looking for a casual lunch - pop in nearby to Richard Branson's new winelands purchase - Mont Rochelle Mountain Vineyards. There is plenty of upgrading going on, but do visit their tasting room which has used corks very creatively for their decor. Their Country Kitchen is also situated at the tasting room, and you can enjoy good country fare on their sunny north-facing stoep with a view of the Franschhoek mountains.
If understated and classy is what you are looking for, then on your way back from Franschhoek, coming down the Helshoogte Pass, you will find the relatively new classic modern Neil Ellis winery on your right. Their charcuterie platter and their elegant wines are a perfect combo in front ot the fire.
Keep going down the pass and turn right into the R44 and continue along for about 10km. Turn right up towards Delheim & Muratie and if you have never been to Muratie you are in for a treat. It is a real farm with old cobwebby tasting room and persian rugs in the cellar. It is very cosy by their fire, and their Farm Kitchen has really good winter traditional kos! Look out for their mini Port Festival on Sat 25th July. See our Diary Entry for a chance of winning 2 tickets!
As you leave Muratie and you get onto the R44 - just cross the R44 and go down the Kromme Rhee road to Simonsig, where they have a host of Winter warmers for you in their Tasting room, as well a their award-winning Cuvee Restaurant. One of the pricier wines on the South African wine list is the Simonsig Garland at R1375 per bottle recently released. If you arrive there on the last Saturday of the month, (get there early), you may be able to taste some of this very special wine when they open just ONE bottle per Saturday (while stocks last). There is a lovely fireplace in the tasting room and it is always seems to be buzzing and convivial.
You could also go back to Stellenbosch and out the other side on the R310, where you will find the well-known Spier Wine farm. It has undergone a serious overhaul in the last 2 years. Moyo is no longer there, but you can still get a picnic for those clear sunny winter days from Eight Restaurant at Spier, or if chilly - you can partake in their authentic farm-to-table dining experiences. For the young ones, Eight supplies a special kiddie's menu too. So get them fed and watered and then you can relax while they run around in the extensive gardens.
But don't miss their fabulous artwork. The Enthovens, who own Spier, must own the largest African art collection in the world I think, and the artwork in the tasting room is just so inspiring. Their massive mosaic works are awe-inspiring. As far as I know, the Infecting the City festival in Cape Town is a spin-off of their efforts and I applaud them!
You can learn a lot at Spier too - they have planted sample vineyards of most of the main wine grape varieties, just outside the tasting room, so take your time to browse through and learn the difference between a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Shiraz. For the young ones, Eight offers kid-friendly options and you can get them fed and then let them run wild in the extensive gardens, while you relax and enjoy a lazy afternoon by the fire.
If you are a keen red wine lover and want to have a really South African experience, head out from Stellenbosch on the R310 towards Koelenhof and about 5km out of Stellies on your left you will find Beyerskloof. This is the home of the King of Pinotage, Beyers Truter, who cut his teeth making Pinotage at Kanonkop many years back.
No excuses now as they too have a fireplace, so snuggle up with a Pinotage Burger, a few glasses of Beyerskloof Pinotage and the afternoon will just roll away.
Between Somerset West and Stellenbosch on the R44, if you drive up Blaauwklippen road, you will find a number of wine estates and near the top of the road you will find Waterford Wine Estate. The drive into the winery really is spectacular, and although you can't have a meal there, you can certainly enjoy an interesting chocolate and wine pairing right in front of the fire. I would suggest you purchase their Natural Sweet wine before you go - it is delicious! and for those of you who are driving, their coffee is not too shabby either!
On your way back to Somerset West from Waterford, stop in on the R44 on the left at Avontuur. Their restaurant is always full, so I would suggest you book!, Underfloor heating, fireplace and delicious food from their excellent chef Zunia Bucher-Myers. Their Early Bird special on Wed & Fridays looks good - 2 course menu - R150 | 3 course menu - R190. Orders must be in by 18h45.
We encourage responsible drinking & driving, so take a buddy or draw straws or call Uber and be careful out there.
So take a trip down the winery lane and let us know what you found!
OR... if it really is bucketing down out there and you just have to stay home - try out Leapard's Leap Gluhwein recipe
Let us know where you went and what you thought! Tweet us @winecoza #winterwarmers
Please take note of wineries closing for a few days in the winter
Please note that Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant, the La Motte Museum and the La Motte Farm Shop will be closing for a winter break from Monday, 13 July to Thursday, 6 August. We will reopen on Friday, 7 August.
The La Motte Tasting Room will be closed for renovations from Monday, 13 July and will reopen on Monday, 27 July. Please note that La Motte's wines will be available to purchase from neighbouring Leopard's Leap Family Vineyards.
Contact them if you have any queries +27 (0)21 876 8000 or info@la-motte.co.za