Best Picnic Spots in the Cape Winelands and Surrounds

Sit back, relax and enjoy an outdoor lunch at one of these beautiful wine farms

Summer and picnics. They go hand-in-hand. There is nothing quite like celebrating the warm weather with friends and family while relaxing under a shady tree with a basket full of foodie delights and a couple bottles of wine. And fortunately for us Mother City folk there are plenty of spectacular locations in and around Cape Town perfect for enjoying an alfresco feast.

What’s more, many wine farms situated around Cape Town are extending their hospitality to cater for the much-loved summer picnic combo. Offering ready-packed or create-your-own food hampers full of scrumptious savoury and sweet treats (not to mention a bottle or two of vino), guests are able to enjoy the outdoor spread at one of their favourite wine estates showcasing some of the most breathtaking settings in the country. All you have to do is call and book and they do the rest for you – it is that easy. The most difficult part in fact is deciding which wine estate to visit first!

WINE ESTATES IN FRANSCHHOEK

Boschendal Wine Estate
With a key focus on natural and seasonal products, this Franschhoek winery takes pride in using only naturally grown produce from the estate’s gardens or locally sourced artisanal fare to create their delicious and wholesome picnic baskets. The estate offers guests two alfresco dining experiences namely the Rhone Classic Picnic and the Werf Classic Picnic. The Rhone Classic Picnic happens on the Rhone Homestead lawns where guests can either sit at the tables or on a blanket under the trees. The Werf Garden Picnics are situated under the trees on the Pavilion lawn and offer visitors a more laid-back and informal setting – think hammocks, bean bags and cushions. The pre-booked foodie baskets contain freshly baked breads, an assortment of pâtés, salads, meats and cheeses and desserts among other goodies. There is also a vegetarian and kiddie option available.
When: Rhone Classic Picnic: Monday – Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
Werf Garden Picnic baskets:  Wednesday – Sunday: 12m – 5pm
Price: R360 – R440 for two people | R195 – R240 for one person | R85 for the kiddie option

Boschendal Wine Farm | reservations@boschendal.co.za | +27 (0) 21 870 4272

Solms-Delta Wine Estate
Situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands region, 15km outside of the little town of Franschhoek (and approximately 50 minutes’ drive from the Mother City), lies Solms-Delta Wine Estate. Expertly created by chef Shaun Schoeman and his team, the winery offers guests freshly packed picnic baskets perfect for one or two people. Please note that the hampers do not come with beverages and guests are encouraged to purchase drinks before walking down to the designated picnic areas. The farm has a wide variety of picnic spots available, such as the large grassy lawns alongside the forest, the sandy river bank and the shady spots under the trees overlooking the farm dam. If available, the estate’s tractor and trailer will transport picnickers to the picnic area; otherwise, it is only a short, five-minute walk from the basket collection area to the picnic spots. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic blankets and chairs, or can choose to hire blankets from the farm. Vegetarian and children’s baskets can be catered for on request.
NOTE: The picnic sites work on a first-come-first-serve basis. Guests are welcome to swim in the river.
When: Daily: 12pm – 5pm (until April 2016)
Price: R185 for one | R300 for two | R75 for kiddie option | Booking is essential
Solms-Delta Wine Estate | restaurant@solms-delta.co.za | +27(0) 21 874 3937

WINE ESTATES IN STELLENBOSCH

Spier Wine Estate
Guests wishing to have a picnic on this stunning Stellenbosch farm can purchase a pre-booked picnic basket and choose between the summer picnic, the plant-based picnic or the kids' picnic from the Farm Café. The picnic baskets offer visitors a wide selection of local and natural produce – food grown on the Spier farm is preferred. Visitors can expect everything from Curry spiced chickpeas & cashew nuts to Harissa grilled chicken strips with lemon. Patrons are also able to create their own picnics from a selection of cold cuts, cheeses, salads, breads, pâtés and dips sold at the café. Kosher and Halaal picnic options can be arranged on request. There are also various sweet treats on offer such as meringues, cupcakes, brownies, honey and jam. Guests can bring their own chairs, cushions and blankets or hire from the deli. Please note that the picnics need to be booked at least 24 hours in advance and the farm does not allow customers to bring their own picnic baskets.
When: Daily: 12pm – 2:00pm
Price: R295 | Children's Picnic: R160
Spier | info@spier.co.za | +27(0) 21 809 1188

Uitkyk Wine Estate
Located on the lush lawns at the estate’s beautifully restored Georgian manor house; Uitkyk Wine Estate offers visitors a Georgian picnic basket complete with a selection of artisanal breads and cheeses, various pâtés, olives, a charcuterie selection, smoked salmon as well as fresh fruit and decadent chocolate brownies for dessert. The picnic basket serves two people and includes mineral water and a bottle of Uitkyk wine. What’s more, should you wish, there is the option to upgrade your picnic basket to the Carlonet Picnic, which includes a bottle of the estate’s flagship Carlonet wine, or to the Glass Memoires Picnic which includes a bottle of their new MCC. The winery’s setting includes a few romantic hidden-away corners, beautiful giant ancient trees and lush green lawns (guests are also welcome to play a game of boules or croquet on the grass). Please book at least 24 hours in advance. Children are welcome and are also catered for.
When: Daily: 9am – 5pm | Baskets can be collected half an hour after opening time.   
Price: R450 – R480

Uitkyk Wine Estate | info@uitkyk.co.za | +27(0) 21 884 4416

Warwick Wine Estate
This family owned and run winery aims to give guests a truly unique picnic experience that offers six completely different picnic locations – the lawns, the forest courtyard, the pods, the deck, the penthouse (ideally suited for private group picnics and corporate functions) and the boardroom (perfect for private dinner parties and wine-focused functions). The child-friendly lawn area, complete with a jungle gym, allows moms and dads to sit back and relax under the estate’s umbrellas on over-sized cushions while the kids are run around and play. The fully serviced forest courtyard area is slightly more formal and visitors are welcome to unwind under the winery’s beautiful trees. The fully serviced pods were created with privacy in mind and provide a combination of sophistication coupled with high design and rural country ambience. There are eight pods all perfect for small groups with tables seating up to 12 people in shaded comfort. The deck – ideal for formal or informal functions – has spectacular views of the estate lawns and dam, and guests are invited to enjoy their picnic under the shade of the oak trees. The wine farm offers picnickers a gourmet picnic basket for one or two – think succulent beef fillet, a selection of local charcuterie and cheeses, and various fresh salads to name but a few of the basket delights. Vegetarian and kiddie options are available on request.  
When: Daily: 11pm (basket collection is from 12pm) – 5pm
Price: R400 for two |R250 for one (a surcharge of R50 applies for single baskets) | Kiddie option: R60

Warwick Wine Estate | visit@warwickwine.com | +27 (0) 21 884 4410

WINE ESTATES IN CONSTANTIA

Buitenverwachting
Sitting pretty on the east-facing slopes of the magnificent Constantiaberg, this historic Cape Dutch farmstead and winery offers guests a beautiful setting and a yummy pre-booked summer picnic spread on their lawns under the oak trees. Guests can expect their picnic baskets to be packed with delicious food items including snoek pâté, quiches, biltong, various salads, a selection of cheeses, freshly baked breads, fresh fruit and chocolate truffles. A small basket is available for children under the age of 10. Please note that the menu is seasonal and is subject to change. Booking is essential as the estate can only host a maximum of 50 guests. No groups larger than 15 people are allowed. Tables and chairs are provided with blankets for children.
When: Monday – Saturday: 12pm – 4pm (Until April 2016)
Price: R150 | Kiddie Basket: R50
Buitenverwachting | info@buitenverwachting.com  | +27(0) 21 749 1012 | 083 257 6083

Groot Constantia, Simon’s Deli
Next to Simon’s Restaurant on Groot Constantia wine estate is Simon’s Deli, a coffee shop and gourmet food market that boasts a wonderful selection of meat, cheeses, pickles and preserves. But what’s important here is that Simon’s Deli serves picnic baskets to be enjoyed on the gorgeous grounds. Guests can either request a pre-packed picnic basket, or choose to design their own foodie hamper from the deli’s wide selection of food and drinks. In a pre-packed basket patrons can expect to find a selection of pâtés and dips, a fresh baguette, a selection of cured and home cooked meats, classic coronation chicken salad, potato salad and green salad, as well as a selection of local cheeses, biscuits and preserves, and dessert. There is a kiddie option too. Please note that the menu is subject to change. Vegetarian baskets can be made on request.
When: Daily: 9am – 4pm
Price: R350 for two | Kiddie option: R75

Groot Constantia Wine Estate | info@simonsdeli.co.za | +27 (0) 21 794 1143

Eagles’ Nest, Constantia
Nestled in a secluded valley high up on the slopes of the historic Constantiaberg (which forms part of the World Heritage Site, Table Mountain), Eagles’ Nest offers guests the Teddy’s Picnic (for adults) and the Bug’s Picnic (for children). The Teddy’s Picnic includes freshly baked breads, a selection of four local cheeses and deli-cut meats, free range chicken liver pâté, garlic and rosemary marinated olives and sundried tomato pesto, fresh caprese salad, seasonal fruits, tossed new potatoes with garlic aioli and fresh herbs, and Huguenot chocolate brownies. Should you wish to add something more to your basket, there are a few other drinks and treats on offer at an extra cost. Although the estate does offer small tables and benches, visitors are invited to bring along their own picnic blankets – the winery will supply everything else. Please note that no outside food or drink is allowed.
NOTE: A bottle of wine must be purchased with every Teddy’s Picnic (the picnic will not be served without a wine purchase). Booking is essential. Limited to smaller groups only. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
When: 10am – 4:30pm | Picnics are available throughout the summer months but are weather dependent.
Price: R395 for two | Kiddie option: R95
Eagle’s Nest Constantia | info@eaglesnestwines.com | +27 (0) 21 794 4095

WINE ESTATES IN NOORDHOEK

Cape Point Vineyards
This award-winning winery situated in Noordhoek – a mere 33km from the CBD – is located in a unique setting with a 360-degree view of mountains, fynbos, vineyards and spectacular sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean. The estate’s picnic baskets include freshly baked ciabatta and crackers, various salads, potted chicken liver pâté, roasted aubergine with tahini and toasted cashew nuts, Atlantic Coast seafood patties made with salmon, snoek and pink prawn tails, a selection of charcuterie and salami, and salted caramel and brownie trifle in a jar, to name but a few of the delicious items to look forward to. A vegetarian and kids option is available on request. Hampers are to be collected from the Cape Point Vineyards deli where a runner will be available to assist you to choose your picnic spot. Should you wish, the vineyard will set up a special picnic area for you prior to your arrival. This is at a fee of R200, which will is paid directly to the runners. Booking is essential and baskets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
NOTE: Payment is required in order to secure your basket; full refunds are offered on cancellations made 24 hours prior to a reservation.
When: Monday – Wednesday: 12pm – 5pm | Friday – Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
Price: R395 for two | Kiddie option: R65

Cape Point Vineyards | bookings@cape-point.com | +27 (0) 21 789 0900

WINE ESTATES IN PAARL

Rhebokskloof Wine Estate
Situated in the historic Paarl Valley, Rhebokskloof Wine Estate is tucked tightly between the granite hills of the Paarl Rock Mountains and is well-known and much-loved for its Shiraz wine. Offering guests four picnic options in the form of the Pearlstone Picnic, the Gourmet Picnic, the Vegetarian picnic, and the Banting and Gluten-Free Picnic, the winery truly ensures that there is something for everyone to enjoy. In the Pearlstone Picnic basket guests can expect to find treats such as a sourdough baguette, a selection of spreads (chicken liver pâté, hummus, basil pesto), local cheeses and meats, pickled fish, sticky chicken wings, mini gourmet beef sliders, baby potato salad, butternut and feta quiche, roasted vegetable couscous salad, preserves and crackers as well as Belgian dark chocolate brownies. The Gourmet Picnic basket serves two people and while it contains mostly the same goodies as the Pearlstone basket (there are just a few more extra treats such as a quiche Lorraine, lamb koftas and strawberry cheesecake), it also includes a bottle of cellar selection wine. As mentioned, the farm also caters for visitors who are vegetarian, on a low-carb diet or are gluten intolerant, which is sometimes a rare provision. What’s more, owing to the estate’s breathtaking natural beauty, the vino farm also offers trail picnics in backpacks and has had various picnic events including outdoor picnics, moonlight picnics and concert picnics. Kiddie baskets are available too.
NOTE: The Pearlstone, Vegetarian, and Banting and Gluten-Free baskets exclude beverages.
When: Daily: 9am – 5pm
Price: R185 for one | R400 for two | Kiddie option: R85

Rhebokskloof Wine Esate | info@rhebokskloof.co.za | +27 (0) 21 869 8386

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Bring the kids (and even pets) for a picnic and hike at Loch Lynne Wine Estate

If you are interested in wine tasting on a Sunday, then check out our overview of Wine Farms around Cape Town that are Open on a Sunday for tastings. Or perhaps you are looking for something like our list of 47 Awesome To-dos while the weather is still warm and of course, don’t forget our bucket list of 50 Things You Have to do in Cape Town Before You Die. Have Fun!

Have a picnic overlooking the Stellenbosch Winelands at Delheim Wines, or experience watching a classic movie under the stars in the Winelands with The Galileo Open Air Cinema.

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