THE BEST PICNIC SPOTS IN

Some favourite picnic spots in the winelands PICNIC PERFECT I f you feel like a day out in the country, with a little romance and sophistication thrown in, but have to tag the kids along, then we can de nitely recommend a picnic in the winelands.  ey are a great way to relax in a beautiful setting, and all have space for the kids to roam and enjoy nature while you sip your Chardonnay.

OVER-SIZED CUSHIONS UNDER UMBRELLAS Picnicking around a dam can’t be much better than at WARWICK WINE ESTATE. You are guaranteed relaxation because there is a child-friendly area with a jungle gym to entertain the kids. You can either sit back under their umbrellas and on over-sized cushions, or try a picnic pod. Price: R500 basket for two. Kids basket: R80. Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00. In the basket… Beef fi llet, home-made mayonnaise, charcuterie, Moroccan salad, local cheeses, chutney, pâtés, pretzel and ciabatta, home-made chocolate brownies, and grapes. Vegetarian option: phyllo tart, a British salad, barley, beetroot, yoghurt, toasted nuts and pâté. Contact: www.warwickwine.com

ART IN THE GARDEN The setting at SPIER WINE FARM is hard to beat; from art in the garden and a dam with resident ducks, to a post-picnic walk around the estate or a viewing of birds of prey. Pre-book your picnic 24 hours in advance, just bring your own blanket or tablecloth. Price: R550 basket for two. Kids basket: R140 (includes a fun bag with crayons). Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 10.00 to 16.30. In the basket… Baguette, home-made hummus, cheeses, preserves and home-made crackers, cold cuts with mustard and home-made chutney, droëwors, olives, Greek salad, potato salad, seasonal fruit salad, and dark chocolate brownie fi ngers. Contact: www.spier.co.za

NAT U R E WA L K S Choose a secluded spot by the dam for your romantic picnic, although any spot will do. HIDDEN VALLEY WINES has vineyard views and lush gardens throughout the estate. And to really get your appetite going, why not try a nature walk before your picnic? Picnics must be ordered 24 hours in advance. Price: R440 basket for two, no kids basket. Opening times: Daily from 09:00 to 18:00 (summer months). In the basket… Cheeses, charcuterie, preserves, relish, quiche, green salad, fruit, crackers, nuts, baguette, estate olives and olive oil, hummus, caramelised onion, and something sweet. Contact: www.hiddenvalleywines.co.za

UNDER THE OAKS Soak up the summer shade while relaxing under the oaks, in a landscaped garden overlooking the vineyards at GRANDE PROVENCE. It couldn’t get more romantic than this. Price: R580 for the Grand Country Picnic Basket for two people. R325 for a single basket. No kids basket. Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 14:30. In the basket… French baguette, artisanal Brie, locally-cured saucisson, home-made preserves and butter, a garden salad, chocolate brownie, a bottle of Angels Tears wine, and a bottle of still or sparkling water. Additional addons are on offer too: parfait, fruit, quiche, salad and macaroons. Contact: www.grandeprovence.co.za

BLANKETS SUPPLIED Another beautiful picnic area set around a dam is at MONT ROCHELLE. They offer various picnic options and provide blankets for you. If you don’t like to sit too close to the ground, grab a table alongside the boules court in the garden. Price: From R360 basket for two, with various options. Kids basket: R110. Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. In the basket… Cheeses, cold meats, condiments, smoked salmon with herb cream cheese, capers and lemon, pan-fried prawns, sticky chicken wings, roasted vegetables, pâté with cranberry compote, a tomato, salad, brownies, crackers and home-made bread. Contact: www.montrochelle.co.za

Photo by Claire Gunn TRACTOR RIDES TOO Now here’s one the kids will defi nitely love; at SOLMS DELTA a tractor takes you to the various available picnic spots—what a ride! Each spot is quite private, and there is also a stream and dam for the kids to play in, which is a welcome relief on the very hot summer days. Price: R395 basket for two. Kids basket: R95. Opening times: Daily, picnics available September - April. In the basket… Firebaked roosterkoek with wild rosemary butter, Camembert with pineapple chutney, beef biltong and snoek pate, and dessert is malva pudding and custard. Contact: www.solms-delta.co.za

SOUTH AFRICAN CONNOISSEUR 1 3 C H O I C E O F T WO Le Pique Nique at BOSCHENDAL remains an old favourite and offers two picnic experiences. The Rhone Rose Garden Picnic offers a more traditional style picnic around the vineyards, set at a table or on a blanket under the shade. Werf Farm Picnic is under the trees of the Pavilion lawn and is a more relaxed affair—but bring your own blankets and chairs. Price: R580 basket for two, R540 for vegetarian. Kids basket: R125. Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 12:00. In the basket… Pâté, chicken liver parfait and onion jam, country bread, seasonal salad, Coronation chicken, a selection of meats, wholegrain mustard, artisan cheeses, and cheesecake. Vegetarian option: hummus pâté and a garden vegetable frittata. Contact: www.boschendal.co.za