Vineyards at Steenberg in Constantia, Cape Town in winter.
Winter in the Cape Winelands is certainly not a time to hibernate, but rather to get out and experience all the wonder that our gorgeous wine estates have on offer. The Winelands come alive with their own special magic that transforms them into tranquil, relaxing and cosy winter wonderlands.
From winter pairings to warm, hearty meals, or simply a glass of red wine beside a roaring fire, here are 10 wine farms to get to this winter.
1. Soup and wine pairing at Spier
Spier in Stellenbosch is well known for their vineyard Segway tours and delicious picnics under the weeping willow trees, but this winter head there to try their soup and wine pairing.Known as the Seaward Sip and Soup Tasting, their coastal-grown Seaward range has been paired with 4 delicious homemade soups to enjoy as you sit right next to a roaring fireplace.
The Seaward Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is paired with a white bean velouté topped with a dash of cream and freshly sliced parsley. The Seaward Chardonnay 2019 is paired with a carrot and citrus soup served with Foxenburg goats chevin, Cape gooseberries and crunchy almonds. The Seaward Shiraz 2020 is served with a spicy lentil soup garnished with cucumber, spring onions, and Jersey feta. Lastly the Seaward Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 is matched beautifully with an earthy mushroom broth with sautéed exotic mushrooms, coriander, and peppered cream. The soups are all vegetarian friendly.
The tasting costs R150 per person and is valid until 30 August 2022. Bookings are essential.
Spier Seaward Sip and Soup Tasting at Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch.
2. Neethlingshof's winter flash food and slow wine pairing
I don’t know about you, but I like to eat more in winter, especially when the food warms you up from the inside. So to satisfy this need, try Neethlingshof's Winter Flash Food and Slow Wine Pairing, as it won’t disappoint. The cost is R150 per person and it is very well paired across the board to include both savoury and sweet.
The pairing consists of:
3. Luxury getaway at Steenberg
Synonymous with winter is red wine and cosy fluffy blankets, and so introducing the Red Wine Rendezvous and Five Lives Winter Package at Steenberg Vineyards, Constantia. Think a back and neck massage, followed by a mushroom risotto and roasted onion soup for dinner, then under a cuddly fluffy duvet.
Steenberg has a luxurious 5-star hotel with their Five Lives Winter Package running until 31 August. It includes 1 night's accommodation for 2 guests; a classic wine tasting; winter dinner special menu; a 45 min back, neck and shoulder massage; followed by breakfast the next day at either Tryn or Bistro Sixteen82, or in your room. The Five Lives Winter package is R5 880 per couple sharing.
Steenberg also has their Red Wine Rendezvous event, which will ward off the chills of winter with a delicious 3-course winter-inspired menu and a variety of red wines that will be free-flowing during the evening. The date for the next Red Wine Rendezvous is 25 August at the cost of R495 per person.
Lounging on the bed with a glass of Steenberg red wine at Steenberg Hotel, Constantia.
4. Wine tasting at Tokara
Even though it may be cold and stormy outside, imagine a wine tasting next to a roaring fire but being able to look out of the large glass windows and watch the glorious rain and the beauty it brings...
At Tokara outside Stellenbosch, the floor to ceiling windows lets you keep the view and the glorious vista of a rain-soaked vineyard from the warm fireside as you sip on Tokara’s award-winning wines. They have a variety of wine tastings to choose from and the staff are super friendly and informative. I felt warm and welcome, and I was able to enjoy the unique beauty that our winters bring.
5. Delheim jazz and cheese fondue festival
Fancy a jazz festival to warm you up? Delheim Wine Estate's Jazz and Cheese Fondue Festival is your chance to sway your hips to the beat, nibble on a cheese fondue, and enjoy Delheim’s award-winning wines. These mini festivals are hosted in partnership with the Cape Town Music Academy and take place every Sunday from 3 July to 28 August. The cost is R450 per person and includes live entertainment, complimentary gluhwein on arrival, a cheese fondue for two (including breads and vegetables), and a sweet treat to finish off. The show runs from 12h00 to 15h00, and reservations are essential.
The line-up is as follows:
- 17 July - Babalwa Meintjies and Quartet
- 24 July - Mark Fransman Homage Quartet
- 31 July - Bongani Sotshononda Quartet
- 7 August - Sean Sanby Quartet
- 14 August - Thandela Dladla and Trio
- 21 August - Keegan Steenkamp
- 28 August - Nobuhle Ashanti
Cheese fondue at the Jazz and Cheese Fondue Festival at Delheim Wine Estate, Stellenbosch.
6. Badsberg Winter Wine Festival
Mark your calendars to attend the Badsberg Winter Wine Festival taking place on 30 July on the Badsberg estate in Rawsonville. It’s a day filled with amazing wines, their famous mushroom and port soup, and a variety of delicious comfort food vendors. The festival takes place from 9h00 to 16h00 and tickets are available via Webtickets.There is also a kids entertainment area and music to keep you moving all day long. If it starts to rain, there is a huge tent to keep the party going.
If you can't make it to Badsberg on 30 July, there is always their winter platter to enjoy next to a crackling fire. It includes a cup of soup, bread rolls, jam, biltong, and a selection of three cheeses, and costs only R70 per person.
7. Zevenwacht's winter special
While you listen to that blissful rain outside, how about a hearty delicious winter special menu at to keep the chills away? Zevenwacht Wine Estate in Stellenbosch is offering a feast this winter: You can choose between a 2 and 3 course meal, and these include the likes of roasted peanut and butternut soup to braised beef and onion pie. To end off this deliciousness is either a sticky toffee date pudding or warm apple tart with cream or custard. The three-course option is R225 per person and the two-course option is R195. All of this while sipping on their velvety Syrah, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, or smooth Merlot. This winter special is running until the end of August and you can order this special for both lunch and dinner.
8. Fine dining at Constantia Glen
Constantia Glen has a new head chef on the block with 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry – he's even cooked for the likes of Wilbur Smith. Johann Roux is ready to delight you with his culinary expertise and has added some hearty winter dishes such as lamb shank with mash potato, and beef fillet on a potato rosti with a delicious red wine jus.
Johann and winemaker Justin van Wyk have also teamed up for their exclusive Winter Winemaker Dinners on the first Friday of every month. Their older vintages of Constantia Glen wines are paired with 5 gourmet courses and includes water, coffee/tea, and gratuity. The dates of the remaining winemakers dinners are 5 August and 2 September, and the price is R1 150 per person. Bookings are essential.
9. Winter pamper and stay in the Elgin Valley
Winter provides that perfect opportunity to spoil yourself, so how does a winter pamper and stay in the picturesque Elgin Valley sound? Elgin Vintners’s winter package includes 2 nights' accommodation in their 4-star country house, daily breakfast, a 35-minute massage, a complimentary wine tasting, and a bottle of their Cloud Haven Merlot/Shiraz. If you choose to stay over the weekend (Friday to Saturday) it is R2 000 per person. Or you can stay during the week (Sunday to Thursday) for R18 00 per person. They have thought of everything to keep you warm and feeling pampered this winter!
10. Yonder Hill's soup and wine pairing
Yonder Hill has brought back their famous homemade soup and wine pairing to keep you warm. They have paired the Yonder Hill Danilo Rosé 2021 with a mushroom soup; followed by the Yonder Hill Ella Merlot 2020 with a tomato and cheese topped soup; and then lastly the Yonder Hill Nicola Bordeaux blend with a lentil and chorizo soup. Enjoy these for only R155 per person and warm up this winter as you look out at the gorgeous Helderberg Mountain.
Yonder Hill's homemade soup and wine pairing.
So, although it may be tempting to stay at home this winter, there is so much beauty and many adventures waiting for you right outside. Put your scarf on, grab a glass of wine and let’s get to these Winter Wonderlands to experience all they have to offer. See you there?