Updated on 20 January 2022

From majestic mountains to spectacular vineyard views, these are the places you should be visiting for gourmet picnics in the Winelands.

The Cellar Door at Jordan (Stellenbosch)

Plan a trip to The Cellar Door at Jordan for a picnic on the lush lawns overlooking the stunning Stellenbosch Kloof Valley. For R595 for two adults, the picnic basket contains a selection of hard and soft cheeses, charcuterie including Ryan Boon biltong, breads, olives, homemade preserves and spreads, a pastry option from the bakery, and free-range chicken tart. They also have a kiddies’ picnic for R159 per child.

 

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Boschendal (Franschhoek)

Enjoy breathtaking mountain and vineyard views under the trees of the Pavilion lawn at Boschendal Estate. Guests can choose between being seated at a table (note that limited tables are available), or book a picnic blanket and lawn chairs, or bring their own. The Werf picnic basket is filled with items such as freshly baked bread, green salads from their Werf Food Garden, beef and pork meatballs, Boschendal butchery smoked Angus beef, Dalewood camembert, and one of their celebrated desserts. A single basket costs R320 and a double is R620. A kiddies’ picnic is also available as well as a vegetarian option for both adults and children. Be sure to book online – it’s especially popular on Saturdays and Sundays when live music acts form part of the fun!

Groote Post (Darling)

Cured meats, salads, a quiche and a local cheese selection alongside a dessert are what you can expect in a R225 Groote Post picnic basket for one. A special kiddies’ picnic is also available for children under 10 years. Book online to escape the city for a tranquil afternoon. Note that baskets must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

Hartenberg Wine Estate (Franschhoek)

Enjoy a picnic packed with local produce such as breads and spreads, cheeses, charcuterie, their famous Scotch egg and a lemon square for R300 per person on the expansive lawns at Hartenberg. Vegan, vegetarian, halaal and no-pork options are also available on request.

Hazendal Wine Estate (Stellenbosch)

The rolling lawns make for an ideal Winelands picnic, or book a picnic spot in the gardens or alongside the lush wetlands. Enjoy a Babushka picnic basket for R300 per adult and R140 per child, both of which can be booked online. It has all the favourites you can expect in a picnic basket, including artisanal breads, snoek pâté, cold meats, chicken kebabs, salads, cheeses and the dessert cup of the day.

 

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The Manor at Nederburg (Paarl)

Along with breathtaking views of the Drakenstein Mountains and the farm’s vineyards and gardens beyond, enjoy a lovely garden picnic for R540 for two. The baskets come with a selection of cheesy canapes paired with wines from the farm to start, followed by lamb sliders, chicken wings, vegetable spring rolls and a salad, and ending with something sweet from the chef’s selection. Each picnic includes a bottle of MCC or wine, and a vegetarian option is also available. Bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance, by contacting Nederburg on 021 862 3104 or info@nederburg.com.

Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard (Franschhoek)

Enjoy a picnic by the dam. Think a cheese selection, cold meats, homemade bread, fishcakes, salads, arancini and Malva-flavoured truffles – the Chardonnay Basket costs R490 for two adults. For R590 for two adults, you can choose the Miko Basket, which comes with all of the above plus pork kebabs, a beef teriyaki salad, and dark chocolate brownies. A kiddies’ basket is also available at R140 per child as well as vegan and vegetarian baskets. They also cater for all other dietary requirements – simply let them know when you book by emailing countrykitchen@montrochelle.virgin.com or phoning 021 876 2770.

Mooiplaas Wine Estate (Stellenbosch)

Enjoy a picnic in the historic gardens at Mooiplaas for R400 for two people, or select a cheese platter for R85 for one and R165 for two guests. The gourmet picnic includes freshly baked baguette, cheeses, a pasta salad, beef or chicken wraps, spreads and preserves, a sweet treat and a bottle of wine. The cheese platters come with a selection of crackers, salami, olives, preserves, fruit and, of course, two cheeses.

Quoin Rock (Stellenbosch)

Join for a stylish picnic in a scenic natural environment. Picnics are priced at R400 per person and R180 per children’s basket. They cater for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dietary requirements. Picnics include freshly baked baguette, spreads, cheeses, charcuterie, salads, beef fillet and dessert, with unlimited still or sparkling water. Book online for an elegant picnic that truly pulls out all the stops.

The Restaurant at Grande Provence (Franschhoek)

While away a summer’s day under majestic oaks in Franschhoek. Single picnic baskets cost R350 while a double basket costs R600. They include freshly baked ciabatta with spreads and preserves, a seasonal vegetable salad, roasted chicken and rosemary pie, trout and corn arancini, charcuterie and cheeses, and a seasonal fruit jar and chocolate brownies for dessert. A vegetarian picnic option is also available as well as a kiddies’ picnic for R150 per child under 10 years.

 

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Rhebokskloof Wine Estate (Paarl)

Experience a picturesque picnic in the historic Paarl Valley surrounded by the hills of the Paarl Rock Mountains. It’s R650 for a basket for two and comes a bottle of red or white wine to enjoy with your feast of salads, cheeses and cold meats, and breads and preserves. A vegan picnic option is available as well. Book online, grab a picnic basket and a bottle of wine, and simply relax!

Spier Farm Kitchen (Stellenbosch)

Enjoy a picnic where the food comes packaged in 100% biodegradable and compostable containers. Bring along a blanket and enjoy a spread of delectable goods on the lawns beside the lake or under the oak trees. Book online. Picnics cost R295 per person and include a range of delights such as beef frikkadels, chicken drumsticks, potato salad, and cheeses and cold meats. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.

 

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Vergelegen Wine Estate (Somerset West)

The peaceful and beautifully shaded Camphor Forest at Vergelegen makes the perfect setting for a summer picnic. The price for a classic basket is R330 per person, but they also have kiddies, vegetarian and vegan options available. The classic basket includes tomato gazpacho, duck liver and snoek pates, plum and ginger marinated chicken, bacon and leek quiche and much more. Book online at least 24 hours in advance.

Vredenheim Estate (Franschhoek)

Grab a bag of goodies from Hudsons Restaurant and enjoy them in the beautiful gardens at Vredenheim Estate. A double bag for two costs R490 while a triple bag costs R735. Think cold meats, salads, a cheese selection and a caramel-chocolate brownie trifle. Children can get their own picnic, complete with an activity pack, at R65 a child. Check out their website to make a booking.

Warwick Gourmet Picnics (Stellenbosch)

Warwick has a wide range of picnic areas to choose from, with each offering a different view and experience. The gourmet picnic for R550 serves two (R300 serves one) and includes Warwick’s famous biltong pâté, homemade bread, a charcuterie box and a Cape honey cheesecake. There’s a children’s basket for R150, and vegan and vegetarian options are also available. House wines, MCCs, champagnes and non-alcoholic beverages are also available at additional costs.

 

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Zevenwacht Wine Estate (Stellenbosch)

Order a farmhouse picnic basket for R440 for a basket for two and enjoy it alongside lake views on the tree-shaded lawns at Zevenwacht Wine Estate. From snoek pâté to meatballs and strawberry cheesecake, there’s a little something for everyone. You can even choose a Farmhouse Braai Basket and make your own braai under the oak trees. Vegetarian and kiddies’ picnic baskets are also available. Call 021 900 5800 or email restaurant@zevenwacht.co.za to make a booking.

Zorgvliet Wines (Franschhoek)

Bring a blanket and pick a comfy spot under the oak trees as you enjoy a picnic basket for two. Various options are available, starting at R555 for the Silvermyn for Two basket, which has all the tasty morsels you would expect to find in any must-have picnic basket, including a bottle of Silvermyn wine. Other options comprise the Meaty for Two (R570), the Snack Basket for Two (R625) and Zorgvliet for Two (R605). There are also vegetarian and kiddies’ baskets available, as well as a Family for Four basket at R875 – note the latter needs to be booked at least 24 hours in advance. If these options don’t appeal to you, you can also create your own picnic basket. Call 021 885 1399 or email info@zorgvliet.com to book.

 

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Tables at Nitida (Durbanville)

Grab a cheese-and-charcuterie goodie box for R580 for two people (or R350 for one) and enjoy some wine and the views for a perfectly relaxed summer afternoon. If you prefer a more substantial meal, such as a gourmet beef burger, spicy vegan tostada or aubergine fattoush salad, you can choose from their special Outdoor Picnic Lawn Menu. A kiddies’ picnic basket is also available at R89 per child.

The Melting Pot (Elgin)

Relax in The Melting Pot’s tree-shaded garden while enjoying one of three picnic baskets. The Standard Picnic Box costs R460 and includes a bottle of water, ciabatta, cheeses, fruit chutney, hummus, marinated aubergines and olives, two salads and something sweet to round it off. For R640, you get all of the above plus chicken liver or smoked fish pate and half a roast chicken. A vegan picnic box is also available for R460.

Geuwels Restaurant (Croydon)

Enjoy a delicious picnic on the lawns at Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate, courtesy of the team at Bertus Basson’s latest establishment. For R530 for two people, you can tuck into smoked kalamata olive, Geuwels’ famous roosterkoek with Bovril and biltong butter, camembert, half a smoked free-range chicken, Richard Bosmon saucisson sec, Peppermint Crisp tart, and date balls.

Have we missed your favourite picnic spot in the Winelands? Let us know in the comments section below.