If summer in the Winelands equals sipping chilled white wine in the shadow of a rosy-hued mountain at sunset, it makes sense too that the epitome of winter is sharing a velvety bottle of red in a warm and cosy cellar in front of a roaring fire. In case the onslaught of cooler, wet weather has thwarted your enthusiasm for weekend wine farm exploring, South African wine farms have come up with some innovative ways to get you out of bed this winter. Here we name our top seven winter wine initiatives that won’t break your budget.
- Jazz and Cheese Fondue – Delheim, Stellenbosch
A feast to rival even the best Sunday Roast, Sundays at Delheim make getting out of bed easy. A ticket buys you a warming glass of Gluhwein on arrival, followed by a lazy afternoon in the cosy downstairs cellar sharing a traditional cheese fondue of Swiss Emmental and Gruyere with your table, whilst grooving to the sounds of live, soulful jazz music. Pre-booking is essential.
Cost: R200 pp, every Sunday from 10 July to 18 August 2016
- Pancake and Wine Pairings – Uitkyk, Stellenbosch
Pumpkin and brie with your chardonnay? Dark chocolate ganache with your cab sav? If these combinations have your taste buds in a twist, make sure you book your spot at one of 14 tasting sessions taking place inside Uitkyk’s glorious 18th-century neo-classical manor house. Receive a complimentary drink upon arrival, followed by a 5-course lip-smacking pancake and wine pairing session.
Cost: R100 pp, second and last Saturday of the month, June – August 2016
- Winter Feast Table (+ 1000 Runner Ducks) – Vergenoegd, Stellenbosch
Vergenoedg has swapped its successful Summer Harvest Table for a wondrous Winter Feast Table, offering a multiple course banquet style menu that can be enjoyed by the warmth of the fire in their restaurant, or outside on their lawn on those balmy Cape winter days. Upping the ante in the entertainment stakes is their resident army of over 1000 Indian runner ducks who, after a hard day’s work in the vineyards keeping snails at bay, treat guests to a quacking parade as they traipse home to rest. Reservations are essential.
Cost: R275 pp (drinks excluded), every Friday/Saturday/Sunday until 31st October 2016.
- Souper Deal – Constantia Glen, Constantia Valley
The elegant yet relaxed wine bar at Constantia Glen with its sweeping views of the mountain and valley is arguably one of the most blissful wine sipping spots in the Cape. Add a piping hot bowl of soup to the mix and you may just find yourself in winter heaven. The winter ‘trio of soups’ special consists of French onion, beef goulash and honey-roasted butternut and sage and is served with a freshly baked baguette.
Cost: R90 (trio) and R85 (one flavour), R90 (pie), until 30th September 2016
- Tea Tasting – Anthonij Rupert Wine Estate, Franschhoek
Although not technically an offer restricted to the rainy season, tea tasting in the recently refurbished Manor House is a perfect winter pastime that can also be enjoyed in conjunction with the estate’s renowned High Tea banquet, showcasing freshly-baked scones and pastries, delightfully dainty sandwiches and Franschhoek salmon blinis. On offer is either a Speciality Rooibos Tea Tasting or the Premier Grand Cru Prestige Tea tasting from the TWG Luxury Tea Company. Both options include a selection of four teas.
Cost: R30 pp (tea tasting), R140 pp (high tea based on two people sharing)
- Winter, Wine and Music – Neethlingshof, Stellenbosch
Following on from the success of their mid-week summer concerts, the kitchen at Neethlingshof has tweaked their menu to offer a winter warmer menu of tapas, cheese and charcuterie platters, which can be enjoyed in front of the fire, while enjoying the sounds of live rock ‘n roll and folk music.
Cost: free entry, select Wednesday evenings between 5-8pm in June, July, August 2016
- Breedekloof Soetes & Sop 2016 – Rawsonville
Sip away your winter blues with a mushroom & port soup tasting at this year’s Breedekloof Soetes & Soup Festival! Over 14 wineries are participating in the annual event and will be offering complimentary homemade country soup and wine pairings in their tasting rooms and cellars. Other highlights include: live entertainment, a farmer’s market, cooperage demonstrations, hiking trails, craft beer, an art exhibition, various stalls and children’s entertainment.
Cost: R120 for a weekend pass, 22-23 July 2016
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Wine.co.za has made every effort to ensure that the information in this post was correct at the time of publication. However, we do not assume any liability caused by errors, such as price, cost, time, and location.