Meat and Cheese Platters at Glenelly Wine Estate

A Stellenbosch wine tasting with true French finesse

With its first vines planted in 2004, Glenelly Estate in Stellenbosch may be young, but the innovative South African wine farm is also wise beyond its years. For one, it’s quickly cottoned on to the fact that the days when guests were content to sip and swallow with only a few dry crackers to cleanse the palate are long gone. Thus, the scenic property invites those on the hunt for a leisurely wine tasting experience to sample its award-winning reds and whites alongside a mouth-watering meat and cheese platter.

Available on Fridays and Saturdays, the snack board comprises Hartlief smoked beef, Namibian salami, Black Forest ham, Chevin, traditional Camembert and white rock with cranberry (all the cheeses are from Fairview). Plus, the platters come topped with two types of Olive Boutique olives and water biscuits.

The selection of nibbles costs just R65, is perfect for pairs and is a great way to get to know this special wine farm.

Glenelly, which lies in Ida’s Valley en route from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek, is the passion project of May de Lencquesaing, the former owner of the famous French winery Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.  Though approaching 90, the stately Madame decided to put down roots in South Africa based on her overwhelming confidence in the soil, the microclimate and the community.

With her team of spritely winemakers, the lady of the house has wasted no time in producing seven fresh and elegant wines, many of which have already reaped rave reviews and a handful of awards.

Visitors to the estate have the pleasure of sampling almost the entire offering (the flagship Lady May is the only exception) during the FREE wine tasting and can embark on a cellar tour or take a stroll through the Madame’s spectacular glass collection thereafter. The latter two options show off the venerable French finesse infused throughout the winery, with the collection boasting the type of old and modern pieces one would expect to find in a haughty European museum – there are even works by the whimsical Salvador Dali and the famous designer René Lalique.

What’s more, the vineyards themselves sprawl out across Heritage Site land, and the architecture of the main cellar building is revered for using gravity to reduce energy consumption.

In brief, for fine wine, fine art and a leading lady with big vision and a brave heart, pay a visit to Glenelly.

Pricing and booking info for the Glenelly Meat and Cheese Platters

The snack boards are only available on Fridays and Saturdays; they cost R65 and are ideal for two people. The wine tasting includes six wines (seven if the Lady May is opened) and is R15p/p (the fee is waived if guests buy wine). No booking is necessary. 

Similarly, there’s no cost associated with the cellar tours (which can be scheduled Monday to Friday) or a stroll through the Madame’s glass collection, but it is necessary to book the cellar tours in advance. To do so, phone +27 (0) 21 809 6440.

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Read more about our visit to Glenelly Estate in Stellenbosch. 

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