In my earliest picnic memories, light-haired limbs and blonde and brown ringlets roll over each other down endless grassy hills in bollemakiesie races. They flip upside down in handstands, curls washing the earth. Longer limbs chase us, dribbling a ball low across the field. Large hands take ours and lift us onto strong backs. And when the itch from the lawn takes over, limbs, ringlets and hands collapse together on blankets under umbrellas. Arms criss-cross one another to reach paper plates. Orange juice and potato salad, cold meats and kebabs with prunes from yesterday’s braai, toasted cheese and watermelon balls – because Mom’s just discovered a new kitchen utensil. The big people’s beer cans and wine glasses smell strong as the sun drops. We make wishes blowing out dandelions, nick grapes from the hot vines and lie back on our blanket, trying to fit whole boiled eggs in our mouths. Van Morrison is playing somewhere. Although that might just be my memory playing tricks. When the day is done, I curl up with the dog and pretend to sleep so I don’t have to help pack up, opening an eye here and there to watch Mom and Dad hold hands.
Picnics have marked many special times for me… Weekends camping in the Cederberg, eating on sleeping bags beside rock pools; outdoor concerts at Kirstenbosch and New Year’s Eve parties on Clifton beach, watching the fireworks; Sunday mornings at Bakoven Beach with that one boy and our dog, Ringo; dates with that other boy who taught me the difference between Cheddar and Gruyère and the meaning of Gewürztraminer; baby showers and 30th birthdays of childhood friends, the owners of those light-haired limbs and ringlets.
Groot Constantia, back gardens, seaside rock pools, my doll house… It’s the whole package that makes a picnic stand out (the food, the wine, the laughter, the great outdoors, en plein air…) but location matters. I prefer watermelon balls to Camembert squares and white wine to red, but give me vineyards and I’m happy. A football wouldn’t hurt, since somersaults don’t go down well in a summer dress. Although nor does football, really. How about a croquet set, swing ball, badminton rackets…? Or the farm dog. However you like to picnic, we know of a few places in Cape Town and the Winelands that will make it a picnic to remember. Bookings are essential.
The Cape’s Best Picnic Spots
Steenberg Vineyards
“It is the philosophy of Steenberg that the enjoyment of wine should be spontaneous and de-cluttered, yet still offering an exceptional experience. This is exactly what the Steenberg picnics are about, and this summer there will be little to beat the simple pleasure of a day spent enjoying the magical setting of this working wine farm in the heart of the Constantia Valley!”
The Steenberg Vineyards in the the Constantia Valley were the inspiration behind this blog, after I spent a recent Sunday there, lying in near 40 degree heat with a glass of white wine (bad idea) to celebrate a 30th (not mine, thankfully). The estate blew me away… the architecture of the winery and Bistro Sixteen82, the good-looking Polo crowd seated outside, the shallow reflection pools (not for swimming, they told me as I dipped a leg in), the green lawns and vineyards that bear-hug it all. From October to March the Summer Picnic season at Steenberg opens for weekends. Take along a blanket and settle in on the lawn. Kiddies picnics available on request.
Steenberg Rd, Tokai | Tel 021 713 2211 | www.steenberghotel.com
Cape Point Vineyards
It’s not often that you find a vineyard with sea views, so you’re going to have to try this one too. They welcome you to enjoy a “relaxed picnic on our wine farm accompanied by magnificent wines and breathtaking views.” Well, ok, if you insist. The kids’ picnic contains exciting things like cheese and bacon pinwheels, while the adults’ one is equally exciting with bobotie wraps, smoked coronation chicken salad, Caprese skewers, honey glazed bacon lardons, double chocolate and almond brownies. That sold it, didn’t it? Open Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 8pm (closed on market days).
Silvermine Rd, Noordhoek | Tel: 021 789 0900 or 083 444 7088 | www.noordhoekvineyards.co.za
Delheim
At Delheim Wine farm, on the slopes of the Simonsberg mountain near Stellenbosch, gourmet goes green when it comes to picnics, with aptly named… Green Picnics, to enjoy on the lawns beside the Klip River. “A chance to enjoy good food and get back to nature…what’s there not to love about a picnic. What’s more to love about our picnics, is the fact that we do it in a sustainable, low-waste manner by swapping the usual plastic wear in your basket which significantly adds to our carbon footprint with natural goodies wrapped in eco-friendly bamboo packaging,” says their chef, Christine Claasen. The Delheim Green Picnic includes a bottle of their Heerenwijn or Pinotage Rosé and hand-woven baskets with treats like cream cheese salmon rolls, ostrich steak salad, pork rillettes and farm fresh bread. Vegetarian options and a kids’ menu are available on request.
Knorhoek Road, Stellenbosch | Tel: 021 888 4607 | www.delheim.com
Eagle’s Nest
The macaroons on the picnic menu sold me on this one, but the venue is truly magnificent too. Picnics are available from October – April (weather dependent), and include a bottle of the farm’s Sauvignon Blanc, Little Eagle Rosé or Little Eagle Red. Another reason to visit… Eagles’ Nest, like its name suggests, supports the Western Cape Raptor Research Programme to protect the last remaining nest of one settled pair of Verreaux’s Eagles in the Table Mountain National Park. The programme is part of the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology and has monitored the nest since 2003. Vegetarian picnic options are available on request, as well as kids’ picnics. Bring your own blankets.
Old Constantia, Main Rd, Constantia | Tel: 021 794 4095 | www.eaglesnestwines.com
Solms-Delta
Solms (we’re on a first-name basis) say it best: “No French cuisine, no wannabe anything, but a flavourful blend of the diverse and traditional Cape Cuisine: European, Asian and African. Not as revolutionary as it sounds: boerekos is strongly influenced by the food of the Malay slaves who accompanied their masters to South Africa.” This one’s a favourite – how can it not be when it has a tractor and trailer to help you to your picnic locale and little river shallows to wade around in. If the tractors aren’t operating, grab your basket from the Fyndraai restaurant and stroll down to the picnic area – a guide will help you carry and pick a spot – whether on the lawn next to the forest, by the sandy river bank spots or in the shady spots overlooking the farm dam. Pack your costume and towel and arrive early. Blankets are provided, as are tables and chairs should you prefer the higher ground. Vegetarian and kids’ picnics available on request. Picnics run from September – April.
Solms-Delta, Delta Road Off the R45, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek | Tel: 021 874 3937 Ext 115 | www.solms-delta.co.za
Warwick Wine Estate
The name Warwick is pretty much synonymous with picnics now. It’s not just because of the website’s enticing Instagrammy pictures of the estate’s many different picnic spots, but because it truly has it all when it comes to the perfect picnic. Their Executive Chef has set the bar for picnic food, with quality ingredients from locally sourced artisanal suppliers. Set up camp in a different spot every time you return – which you will – whether the forest courtyard, the lawn, private picnic pods, the penthouse or a Land Rover safari. Children’s menus and vegetarian options are available.
R44, Between Stellenbosch & Klapmuts | Tel: 021 884 3147 | www.warwickwine.com
Rumbullion at The Roundhouse
The Rumbullion offers a tick-box menu, for breakfast and lunch so you can create your own picnic experience from the list of tapas, salads, open sandwiches, burgers and pizzas, craft beer, wine and bubbly. Relax on the lawns of this Cape Town landmark while the sun sets over the Atlantic. You’re bound to be feeling pretty good about yourself right about now…
Kloof Rd, The Glen, Camps Bay | Tel: 021 438 4347 | www.theroundhouserestaurant.com
Le Pique Nique, Boschendal Wine Estate
We love Le Pique Nique, not only because it lets us feel a little French every time we say it – it is near the frenchy town of Franschhoek overall, but because it’s pavillion lawns in front of the Boschendal Manor House just make you want to take your shoes off and roll around like a toddler. This is a long-established picknicker’s favourite, with beautiful views and picnic baskets (the proper wicker kind) hiding freshly baked baguettes, snoek pâté, red-pepper humus, cold meats, cheeses, coronation chicken and other good things. Find a seat at the tables beneath the umbrellas or the pine trees. Bring your own blanket.
Boschendal Estate, Pniel Road, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek | Tel: 021-870-4272 | www.boschendal.com
Of course there are many other great spots for un pique-nique, if you’re happy to take your own basket along, such as Silvermine Dam, Groot Constantia, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Tokai and Newlands Forest and Cape Town’s beaches – Muizenberg, Llundudno, Clifton and Camps Bay. Tell us where you like to picnic in the Cape… those secret spots you shouldn’t whisper about but so badly want to.
For other great places to wine and dine in Cape Town and the Winelands, read Rhino Africa’s Top 5 Cape Town Restaurants & Bars 2014.
rhinoafrica SteenbergHotel SteenbergWines Franschhoek_SA Thank you so much!