This Friday, in addition to their regular Friday evening market,  The Woodmill in Stellenbosch will be hosting a boutique beer festival, showcasing a selection of micro-breweries.

The Woodmill Boutique Beer festival is an organised indoor event during which a variety of micro breweries including Paulaner Brauhaus, Trigger Fish, Valley Brewery, Boston Breweries and Darling Brew will showcase their beers.
 
Beers will be available for tasting and purchase alongside a host of edible delicacies housed at the regular Woodmill market, which is open every Friday night.
 
Ample parking and a designated kiddie’s play area will be available.

In traditional beer fest style, there will be Oempa Band to keep things festive.

I haven’t yet been to the Woodmill Market, but if I didn’t already have plans for this Friday, I think an artisan beer tasting would have gone down very nicely indeed and been the perfect excuse to wander out thattaway.

Date & Time: Friday 3 February 2012, 5.30pm – 10pm.

Place:  The Woodmill, Vredenburg Road (off Adam Tas), Stellenbosch

Cost: The tickets are R30 which includes a Woodmill Beer Glass and 5 tastings.

limited tickets available:

Phone 0786257388 to purchase or visit the woodmill friday night market.

www.thewoodmill.co.za

The organisers of the Nitida ‘Degustazione’ Farmers Market in Durbanville have launched a new evening version of the lovely food market.

Now, in addition to the morning market, held on the last Saturday morning of every month, there is also a ‘sunset market’ which takes place the evening before. Both markets are now held at Cassia Restaurant rather than down on the lawn below.

From what I gather, the focus of the Friday evening market is on live music, prepared food and a chance to socialise and catch up with friends. The Saturday morning market is equally sociable, but with a stronger emphasis on fresh produce and the opportunity to stock up on staples.

I love the idea of night markets – they’re such a wonderful, laid-back way for people to gather without the formal environment of a restaurant. I haven’t yet been to this new Nitida offering, but I look forward to trying it out soon!

The evening market is on every last Friday of the month from 5pm to 9.30pm.

For more information, visit Nitida’s website, or contact Getha on 083 651 0699.

Summer is most definitely in attendance in Cape Town!  And I can’t think of many better ways to spend a sultry summer’s evening than lolling about on a lawn somewhere leafy, picnicking on a communal spread and enjoying the sounds of some local musical talents.

We’ve covered Picnic Baskets (the kind you order in advance, usually on wine farms), and we’re all set for Picnic BYO (great places for picnics, and some ideas on where to find awesome goodies to fill your own basket).  This time, though, it’s all about Picnic Concerts.

Click a link below to skip to that particular event, or scroll down to view them all!

• De Waal Park – Concerts in the Park
• Backsberg Picnic Concerts
• Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
• Solms-Delta Summer Concert Series
• Helderberg Nature Reserve Picnic Concerts
• Paul Cluver Summer Concerts

De Waal Park Summer Sunset Concerts

De Waal Park, Oranjezicht.  Cape Town.

A new series of summer concerts launched in De Waal Park last last year. The season continues in the new year until Sunday 1 April 2012. The concerts, free to the public, will be on every other Sunday afternoon at 4pm.

Venue / Location:
De Waal Park is located in Oranjezicht, with gates on Molteno, Upper Orange and Camp Roads. Entrance is free and patrons are encouraged to arrive from 15:00.

http://www.dewaalpark.co.za/events-in-de-waal-park/

Dates & Times:
SUNDAY 5th FEBRUARY – The Gugulethu Tenors
SUNDAY 19th FEBRUARY – The Rudimentals
SUNDAY 4th MARCH – Ike Moriz
SUNDAY 18th MARCH – Saudiq Khan
SUNDAY 1st APRIL – Nomfusi *starts at 3pm, not 4pm.

Cost:
None, it’s free!

kykNET Backsberg Picnic Concerts

Backsberg Estate, near Paarl. 

It’s lovely out at Backsberg Estate, and spending a Sunday afternoon lolling about drinking their fantastic wines and listening to great artists sounds pretty good to me (dress for hot weather, it’s cooking this time of year).  Audiences can choose to pre-book a special Backsberg picnic to enjoy with these sunset acoustic performances, or buy one of their (apparently) famous lamb burgers at the venue. http://backsberg.co.za/picnicconcerts/

Dates & Times:
Admission to concert venue starts at 3pm, with the opening act starting at 4pm and the main act at 5pm.  Sadly, the summer season is already over half-way through – but four concerts still remain:

• SUNDAY 29 Jan: Die Tuin Dwergies
• SUNDAY 05 Feb: Blues Broers
• SUNDAY 12 Feb: Laurie Levine
• SUNDAY 19 Feb: Francois van Coke

Cost:
Tickets are R85 or R170 with a picnic and R100.00 at the gate. Children under 12 years get in free when accompanied by their parents.

How to book tickets:
Online bookings can be made at www.ticketbreak.co.za/backsberg.  Contact Details: picnicconcerts@backsberg.co.za

Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Rhodes Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town)

Dates & Times:
Season runs from 20 November 2011 – 1 April 2012. SUNDAY evenings, concert starts at 5.30pm (gates open at 4pm).
View full lineup.

Cost:
Ticket prices vary from R60 to R125 (adults), depending on concerts and whether you are a member of the Kirstenbosch Botanical Society. See here for individual prices.

How to book tickets:
Online bookings can be made at www.webtickets.co.za. Redeem your e-ticket at the Kirstenbosch Ticket Office. Over-the-counter tickets go on sale on the Tuesday preceding each concert, from the Visitor’s Centre Ticket Office only. On Sunday tickets will be available at all three entrances. Telephone bookings (021 761 2866) can be made from the Tuesday before each concert, with an administration fee of R10 per ticket applicable.

Solms-Delta Summer Concert Series 2012

Solms-Delta Estate, Franschhoek

Enjoy a feast of rural Cape food, music and dance each Saturday evening from 14 January to 10 March 2012.  Sample the estate’s wine and tuck into a hearty Fyndraai Kaapse Braai Buffet in a beautiful setting.

Listen to the Solms-Delta Music van de Caab’s homegrown bands and the Delta Soetstemme and Delta Valley Entertainers perform alongside some of South Africa’s favourites, such as much loved Hannes Coetzee, Les Javan, Hot Water, Tribal Echo, House of Davids, Kaapse Affodille and Pieter van der Westhuizen.

Dates & Times:
SATURDAYS. 14, 21, 28 January;
4, 11, 18, 25 February;
3, 10 March.
From 7.00pm to 9.30pm.
Cost: R195pp (food and music). Kids U 12yrs R95.
More info/bookings:
To book call Henry 021 874 3937 or email: restaurant@solms-delta.co.za and follow them on Twitter @solms_delta and Facebook.com/solmsdelta, for updates.

Helderberg Nature Reserve Picnic Concerts

Helderberg Nature Reserve, near Somerset West

This series of summer concerts is held to raise funds for the nature reserve’s Environmental Education (EE) projects.

Dates & Times:
The season is already more than half way through, but three concerts still remain: SATURDAYS – 5 February 2012, 19 February 2012, 11 March 2012.
All concerts start at 17:30.

Tickets at the gate: R40 Adults, R10 Scholars, Free for children under the age of five

Enquiries: call the Information Centre  (021) 851-4060.
Or email helderbergfriends@telkomsa.net.
www.helderbergnaturereserve.co.za/events/concerts/

Paul Cluver Sunset Concerts

Paul Cluver Estate, Elgin

Only an hour or so out of Cape Town (less, if traffic is kind) is Paul Cluver Estate, in Elgin. During the summer season, Saturday evening concerts are held under the trees at the estate’s lovely wooden amphitheatre. Concert tickets are limited, so it’s not too crowded, and you can order a picnic in advance, or bring your own food (but not your own wine).

Dates & Times:
Selected Saturdays during the summer season.  Gates open at 5pm (seating is unreserved), and concerts start at 7pm.  Five more concerts remain for 2011/2012:

• SATURDAY 4 February 2012 – FreshlyGround (R325)
• SATURDAY 11 February 2012 – Share The Love (special concert) (R200)
• SATURDAY 18 February 2012 – Elvis Blue (R200)
• SATURDAY 25 February 2012 – Watershed (R325)
• SATURDAY 10 March 2012 – Vusi Mahlasela (R325)

Cost: Various (depends on concert price)

Bookings:  Book concert tickets via Computicket.  Book picnic hampers directly with Paul Cluver Estate:  021 – 844 0605  or email tourism (at) cluver.com

Time really flies. It seems like it was only a blink or two ago that I first found out about The Market Place at Hathersage Farm. But, unbelievably, the market is already celebrating its second year, and will be holding a special market this Sunday (29 January 2012) as part of the festivities:

To help us celebrate our 2nd birthday, participating traders are showing appreciation for you, our supporters, by slashing prices and throwing in a few freebies along the way! We’ll have new exhibitors and even a chance to WIN amazing hampers on the day. You’d be forgiven for thinking its Christmas!

Draws for hamper give-aways will take place on the 29th at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm, and you can still enter! Just drop me an email with your name and contact number, and I’ll pop your details into our Lucky Draw Box. Winners must be present.

If you haven’t yet been, it’s quite a laid back way to spend a morning/afternoon. There’s a mix of food and more crafty items, some along the side of the river, some indoors and more out under the trees. It can get quite crowded, but if you can find a good spot on the lawn in the shade you’re on to a good thing (send out runners for champers and nibbly bits).

The market runs from 9am until 2pm. Find out more at The Market Place Facebook Page.

Location
Hathersage Farm, Gordon Road, Somerset West
GPS: 34° 5′ 0.6612″ S, 18° 52′ 3.9864″ E

A very promising looking market will be held at Gabrielskloof Estate this weekend, starting this evening at 5pm. The wine (and olives and lavender!) estate is located off the N2 not far from the Houw Hoek Pass (after the Hermanus turnoff, but before the Greyton/Genadendal exit) – just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town central.

Gabrielskloof is hosting the ‘Our Favourite Things’ market today and tomorrow, and here’s what is apparently in store for visitors:

On Friday 16 December, the “opening” night of the market will be celebrated with a super talented live gypsy jazz band from Stellenbosch – Manouche. The evening kicks of at 5pm and stallholders will be ready to welcome friends and guests with their crafts, delicacies, and fresh produce.
 
We’ve selected the very best in (as much as possible) local talent and passion – handmade chocolate by von Geuseau chocs from Greyton, amazing charcuterie from Luddite in Botriver, Genevieve MCC, oysters, ‘Food from the Karoo’, french crepes, goat’s milk cheeses from neighbouring farm “Anysbos” (and much more, and of course a fantastic selection of stylish crafts from as far as trendy design capital Cape Town.
 
We repeat all the magic on Saturday 17 December, when the market starts at 12pm and finishes around 5pm. We will have a play area for the kids with a jumping castle (and supervision, of course), so bring the whole family – including dogs

Sounds awesome – and if you’re in Hermanus, as so many Capetonians seem to be at this time of year, it’s only half an hour away!

Our Favourite Things Market – Event Details

Location: Gabrielskloof, Bot River (directions and map here)
Dates & Times: 16 December 2011, 5pm onwards; 17 December 2011, 12pm to 5pm
More info: www.gabrielskloof.co.za

Every year, Slow Food groups around the world celebrate Terra Madre Day, a day dedicated to promoting good, clean and fair food.  Every group does things differently, some hold canning parties, others focus on the importance of water, still others engage the public in tasting workshops of local specialty foods.  In Tanzania, a gathering was held to discuss the importance of traditional food for human health (read more Terra Madre stories here).

Here in Cape Town, a farmers market will be held as a contribution to the Terra Madre celebrations:

Piccolo Mondo (Small World) Farmer’s Market is a Mother Earth Market with a distinct difference! Be part of the greater whole and come and visit us at Oude Molen Eco-Village, Alexandra Road, Pinelands on Sat 10 Dec 2011 from 10am to 5pm.
 
A range of organic produce which includes vegetables, fruit, berries, raw honey from Napier, cheese, artisan breads from the Millstone Resturant at the Eco Village. Organic deli meats which has been slow cured without preservaqtives, organic oak smoked chicken, organic chocolates from Cocoafair that have been gift wrapped and many more……..
 
A broad selection of food that will have you queuing at different stalls like Panini Breads with different fillings, boerewors rolls and bacon and egg rolls, sweet and savory pancakes, hot mielies, savoury breads and pate’s and slow- cured deli meats are some of what you can expect!
 
Piccolo Mondo Farmer’s market will take place in a tented space on the grass surrounded by lots of trees in partnership with Cape Town Talent Exchange Vendors. There will be child friendly entertainment to keep your young ones amused, pony and horse rides for the more adventurous ! Bring the swimsuits as there is a swimming pool for the swimmers and lots of friends to meet
 
Come and hear Samuel Mxolisi Pono, a Jazz Saxophonist from the Ntonga School of Music in Gugulethu, blowing the sax with your favouring music!

I love the Millstone Cafe – ever since my first visit back in 2009 – and don’t visit nearly often enough (especially as I live pretty close to it), so I’m hoping to check out the Piccolo Mondo market this weekend, and see what local food goodies can be found there.

Piccolo Mondo Farmers Market – Event Details

Location: Oude Molen Eco Village, Pinelands
Dates & Times:   Saturday 10 December 2011.  10am to 5pm.
Contact : Petrina on Cell: 074 302 3254 / or 021 761 2373
Email : menngos@mweb.co.za

There is something almost magical about discovering heirloom vegetable varieties.  The colours, the textures, the wide variety of flavours.  I used to order an heirloom tomato mixed-pack from The Drift Farm, and marvel at the amazing kaleidoscope of colours that would arrive.  Black cherry tomatoes, stripey tigerellas, bright orange/yellow pear cherries.  Even green striped ones!

Each one tasted completely different.  Some were best for cooking, some were gobsmackingly delectable in salads with no adulteration required.  Some were just so pretty to look at I could hardly bear to eat them (but I did, of course!).

Compared to such abundance and variability, ordinary shop-bought tomatoes pale horrendously.  They lack the flavour (usually they’re picked green, and ripened artificially), and they certainly lack the fun factor.  A tomato salad made from black, yellow, green and pink varieties looks (and tastes) SO much better than a plain ol’ red one.

But, heirloom tomatoes (and other heirloom vegetables and fruits) are a little harder to come by than their more storable and transportable counterparts.  So, this year I will be growing my own.

I’m no urban farmer.  I have limited space, mostly pots, and am not nearly as attentive as I should be.  But, cherry tomatoes are really easy to grow, as are lettuces and chillis – so I will be taking advantage of the Summer Seedling Share from Harvest Share.  In fact, being one of the creators of The Food Collective, which runs Harvest Share, I have a bit of a vested interest in the project!

Basically, we source seeds from local companies specialising in open-pollinated heirloom seed varieties, and get someone green-thumbed to grow them for us. Last time, we worked with Soil For Life – this time with Alfa Variegata Nurseries, based in Klapmuts.

When the seedlings are big and strong, we offer a limited number of ‘shares’ to anyone interested.  By growing from a seedling, you have a bit of a head start (as anyone who’s attempted growing from seeds will know!) and should have an awesome crop of tomatoes, lettuces and chillis during the main summer season.

We’ve carefully selected the tastiest of summer’s bounty, which are all very easy to grow. You don’t even need a vegetable patch for this share, as these seedlings can be grown in window boxes or grow-bags.

With each share you buy, you will receive THREE 6-pack seedling trays containing the following heirloom vegetables:

• 1 x Heirloom Tomato 6-pack
  (Containing a mix of: Black Cherry, Tigerella & Principe Borghese)
• 1 x Heirloom Chilli 6-pack 
  (Containing a mix of Purple Maui, Fish Peppers, Malawian Peppadews)
• 1 x Heirloom Lettuce 6-pack
  (Containing a mix of Merveille des quatres saisons, Parris Island Cos & Mizuna)

Shares cost R105 each (total number of shares limited to 30), and will be available for pickup at the Starlings Urban Farmers Market next week (14 December 2011).

I can’t wait to get mine – tigerella tomato salad, here I come!

To find out more, visit the Food Collective website.

Cherry picking season has begun! Klondyke Farm in Ceres has just announced that they are now open for day visitors to come and pick-your-own-cherries.

I’m a sucker for foraging of any kind, and the sight of cherries of all kinds and shapes and sizes was almost too much for me last year… Wandering through the cherry orchards at Klondyke is great fun – as I quickly discovered there are quite a few different varieties to be found, and it becomes quite an adventure matching the colour-coded trees with the provided list.

This year the entry fee is again only R15-00 per person, and children under 5 years are free. The price for the cherries you pick is R45-00 per kg. Klondyke does provide PVC punnets for pickers to use, but you might prefer to bring your own containers instead (get them weighed at the office before you start to pick). Cash only – no credit card facilities are available.

The farm is open every day during the season (that’s 7 days a week – except for Christmas Day when they will be closed). Klondyke’s trading hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The season is likely to run through until New Year’s Day.

There’s a shady picnic/braai area available for visitors, so once you’ve picked your fill of cherries, you can relax with friends before heading home (or back to a guest house, if you’re staying nearby).

Klondyke Farm – Directions

From Cape Town and the N1:
Travel through the Huguenot tunnel and just before Worcester, turn left onto the R43 to Ceres.
The R43 joins the R46 at Michells Pass. Drive straight through Ceres, and after 12km turn right onto the Bo-Swaarmoed Pass road.
Travel a further 18km until you come to our line of pine trees.
Klondyke Cherry Farm is on the right hand side.

GPS:
S 33°18’55.51
E 19°34’53.76

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Summer has returned and, with it, the urge to venture outdoors and spend as much time as possible lazing in the sunshine.  We Capetonians are pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to summer activities, but one of my favourites is enjoying a leisurely picnic in a beautiful setting.  It’s informal and laid back and there are so many different ways of doing it that suit all kinds of budgets and taste.

And so once again I find myself creating a list of picnic options in Cape Town – split into three different groups:  Picnic Baskets (the kind you order in advance, usually on wine farms), Picnic Concerts (picnics at concerts) and Picnic BYO (great places for picnics, and some ideas on where to find awesome goodies to fill your own basket).

In this post, it’s all about wine farms and other picturesque locations offering picnic basket options.

The list below will morph and grow with time, as I discover and try more picnics – so if there’s something I’ve left out, please share the info by leaving a comment below, and I’ll see about adding it to the list! Please please treat this list as a guide only – ALWAYS phone the picnic organisers (most require bookings anyway) before you go, to avoid disappointment.

Picnics in Cape Town

Click on the links to view the full details.

• Buitenverwachting ‘The Picnic Basket’ (Constantia)
• Casa Labia Picnics (Muizenberg)
• Roundhouse Rumbullion Picnics (Kloof Nek)
• Steenberg Winery picnics (Steenberg)

Picnics in the Cape Winelands

Click on the links to view the full details.

• Allée Bleue Picnics
• Boschendal’s ‘Le Pique-Nique’ (Groot Drakenstein)
• Delheim Riverside Picnics (Stellenbosch)
• Solms-Delta Picnics (Franschhoek Valley)
• Spier Lakeside Picnics (Lynedoch, near Stellenbosch)
• Warwick Gourmet Picnics (R44 between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts)
• Zewenwacht Picnics (Kuilsriver)

Buitenverwachting ‘The Picnic Basket’

Buitenverwachting Estate, Klein Constantia Rd,  Constantia.
www.buitenverwachting.co.za

Relax under the beautiful oaks of Buitenverwachting Estate… A veritable feast!  Tables and chairs are provided (if you want them) and there’s a very strictly applied maximum number of picnics allowed (which means it doesn’t get overcrowded).

Cost:
R125 per person. Picnic hampers for children under 10 years of age: R45.00 per child. No credit cards accepted.
Dates & Times:
Open November to April; Monday – Saturday. Closed on Sunday & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. Closed over Christmas and the New Year. Picnics served from 12 midday to 4pm (closing at 4pm)
Bookings:
Adrienne (021) 794-1012 Cell: 083 257 6083

Casa Labia Picnics

Casa Labia, 192 Main Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town
www.casalabia.co.za

Children’s menu includes a sugar fruit stick, a whole wheat cheese roll, a cup cake, fruit juice and a little surprise toy for R50.00.

Cost:
Picnic hampers cost R285 per couple. Cash bar available on the terrace.
Bookings for a family of four (2 adults and 2 children) qualify for a special price of R335.00 for the adult basket and two kids packs.
Dates & Times:
Every Saturday from 12noon to 3pm during the summer period.
Bookings:
Picnics work on reservations only. Bookings for the baskets would need to be made and confirmed by Friday at 10am.

Roundhouse Rumbullion Picnics

The Roundhouse, Kloof Nek, Cape Town
http://www.theroundhouserestaurant.com/on_the_menu.html

The Roundhouse Rumbullion offers ‘tapas picnics’, where you select what you’d like from a list of possible options (varying from jars of pickled olives to cheese burgers with wedges).

The views from the Roundhouse lawns are spectacular – go early to secure a good table (and book for more than two, if you want a table to yourselves).

Cost: Variable, depending on what you order (view Menu)
Dates & Times:
Wednesday to Sunday, lunchtime.
Bookings:
Tel. 021 438 4347 / Email info@theroundhouserestaurant.com

Steenberg Winery Picnics

Steenberg Vineyards, Steenberg, Cape Town

Steenberg Vineyards now offers gourmet picnics for visitors. The menu looks fantastic! It’s put together by Food Fanatics, with ingredients sourced locally from fantastic ethical producers like Cure Deli (charcuterie) and Dalewood Fromage (cheeses, yum).

And, I’m happy to report that everything in the picnic hamper is biodegradable: from the recycled wine cartons to food containers and cutlery. I’ll be going along soon to try it out myself and will report back on the experience!

Cost: R300 for a basket for two, including a bottle of Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot (vegetarian option available at same price).
Dates & Times: Picnics served daily between 11am and 5pm.
Bookings: Tel. Lida – 082 954 8158
Menu: Steenberg-Picnic Menu (subject to change)

Picnics in the Cape Winelands

Allée Bleue

Intersection R 45 and R310, Groot Drakenstein (map)
http://www.alleebleue.com/en/allee-bleue/hospitality/picnic.html

Shaded by an historic oak tree, freshly made picnic baskets are served to you from the picnic gazebo and an ice bucket to keep your drinks chilled.

Menus are priced at R145.00 per person, which includes 0.5l mineral water, coffee or tea and a seasonal gift from the Allée Bleue Estate. Children are well catered for with a menu priced at R45.00 per child and the kids can safely play in the picnic area that is secured by an attractive Cape Dutch wall.

Available every day of the week, weather dependent, bookings for picnics at Allée Bleue Wine Estate are essential.

Cost:
R 145.00 per person, R 45.00 for children under 10 years
Dates & Times:
Open daily from 11h30 – 15h00
Bookings:
info@alleebleue.com / Tel. +27 (0) 21 874 1021/2/3

Boschendal’s ‘Le Pique-Nique’

Boschendal Estate, Stellenbosch
www.boschendal.com

During the summer months Boschendal’s Le Pique-Nique provides the ideal setting for simple French-Style country meals. Picnic hampers filled with simple country fare are served from a gazebo, relax and enjoy the fare at tables and chairs set in the shade of fragrant pine trees.

Cost:
R150.00 per adult excluding beverages and service – baskets packed in servings of 2, 3, 4, and 5 each. R59.00 per child (under 10) excluding beverages and service. Valid until May 2012.
Dates & Times:
1 October 2011 – mid May 2012 (weather permitting – cancelled if raining). Baskets to be collected between 12.15pm & 1.30pm. They may be collected later – by arrangement.
Bookings:
Tel.: +27 (0) 21 870 4272/3/4/5 | Email: reservations@boschendal.com
Menus: Picnic Menu | Vegetarian Menu
Good to know: Maximum seating capacity: 180. No BYO – No Bring Your Own Wine.

Delheim Riverside Picnics

Knorhoek Road, Stellenbosch
www.delheim.com

Enjoy a gourmet picnic on the scenic lawn at the riverside behind the cellar. No BYO – the full range of Delheim wines is available at cellar door prices.

Costs:
Basket for 2 people @ R260 (excl additional beverages), basket for 4 people @ R520 (excl additional beverages). Children under 12 @ R65. Vegetarian option available on request (same price).
Dates:
Available every day, Monday to Sunday until end April 2012
Bookings:
restaurant@delheim.com or (021) 888-4607 (book by latest 10h30 on the day)

Solms-Delta Picnics

Delta Road, Off the R45, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek Valley
http://www.solms-delta.co.za/restaurant/picnics/

Solms-Delta has ‘winefarm’ picnics available, made by Fyndraai chef Shaun Schoeman and his team. A personal guide will carry your basket and blanket and assist in selecting a quiet spot on the forested banks of the Dwars River or overlooking the private Solms lake.

Guests are more than welcome to cool off in the river shallows, so pack your costumes and towels! Numbers are limited to ensure a level of privacy.

Pre-booking is essential. The baskets are freshly packed upon your arrival, so please expect a short wait (maximum 15 minutes) before being escorted to the river.

Solms-Delta Lekkerwijn 2010, soft drinks or Solms-Delta Vogelvrij Spring Water bottled at source on the estate, is also included in each basket for two.

Costs:  
R135 per adult (view menu).  R65 per child. (View menu)
Dates:
Picnic season starts 1 September. Fyndraai is open seven days a week from 9.00am to 5:00pm
Bookings:
+ 27 (0)21- 874-3937

Spier Picnics

Spier Estate, Lynedoch, near Stellenbosch.
www.spier.co.za

Awesome picnics at Spier Estate, near Stellenbosch. Superb lakeside atmosphere (complete with plenty of ducks) and lots of gently swishing trees provide shade. Pony rides for kids.

The deli is currently closed for renovations (until 1 December 2011), so pre-booked picnics are currently only  available over weekends and public holidays.  These are catered by Eight, a wonderful ‘farm-to-table’ restaurant which serves delicious meals made from locally-sourced naturally-grown produce.  From the 1st of December, though, you will once again be able to book picnics every day of the week via an online facility.  No private picnics are allowed, but if you don’t want to buy a whole picnic basket, you can instead pick up items from Eight To Go, a ‘take-away’ version of Eight which is due to launch in early December (love the sound of that!).

Cost:  R150 per person, or R240 for two (this cost may change when the online facility becomes available in December).
Dates & Times:  Currently available only on weekends and public holidays.  From 1 December 2011, picnics available every day of the week.
Bookings: Tel. 021 809 1100  (online bookings available from 1 December 2011)

Warwick Gourmet Picnics

On the R44 between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts.
www.warwickwine.com/picnic

“At Warwick we strive for simplicity but this doesn’t mean that you should compromise on flavour. Our Gourmet Picnic experience was designed to provide a balance between the freshest seasoned ingredients and a flavour profile that will satisfy the most sophisticated Gourmand.”

Costs:
Gourmet Picnic basket: R299.00 serving two guests
Vegetarian Picnic basket: R299.00 serving two guests
Kids Basket: R49.00 per child under 12 years of age

Dates & Times: 
Guests can collect and pay for their picnics upon arrival at the Bistro counter.
11:30 – 12:30, 12:30 – 13:30, 13:30 -14:30 7 Days a week – 365 days per year
Bookings:  
Call 021 884 3144 or email visit@warwickwine.com

Zewenwacht Picnics

Zewenwacht Estate, Langverwacht Rd, Kuils River
http://www.zevenwacht.co.za/zw_restaurant.html

Zewenwacht offers a variety of picnic options: the Estate basket, Vegetarian basket, as well as the kiddies hamper as well as two braai basket options (they provide the meat, wood etc – you braai it). Other goodies such as chips, chocolates, hot beverages and the estate’s wines can be purchased at the picnic kiosk. (View Picnic Menu 2011/2012)

The estate will be unveiling their recently upgraded picnic facility in early 2012. This includes “a superb brand new children’s play park, comprising of wooden jungle gyms, swings, slides and climbing ropes for the little Tarzans!” They have also laid down lawn over an extensive area, adjacent to their helipad, where patrons can either make use of picnic benches or alternatively use picnic blankets (available on a loan basis) to enjoy the “gastronomic delights that (the) chefs have put together in the baskets”.

Costs:  
Estate Basket – R280 per basket for 2 people.
Vegetarian Basket – R280 per basket for 2 people.
Kids Basket – R60 per child.
Braai Basket Option 1 – R280 per basket for 2 people
Braai Basket Option 2 – R360 per basket for 2 people.
Dates:
18 September 2011 to May 2012
Bookings:
Tel: (021) 903 5123 / email: restaurant@zevenwacht.co.za
Good to Know:
Conditions for the Braai Basket: Minimum of two baskets to be ordered / Order must be made 72 hours in advance / We supply wood, firelighters, grid & a braai area / Braai to be made & supervised by yourselves. / Please ensure that all fires are thoroughly extinguished.

Apart from all the regular exhibitors there will be many additional food, craft and gift stalls.

The annual steak dinner will again be held at the night market and tickets are already for sale at: 082 301 8561. Tickets are only available in advance. The cost per steak dinner will be the same as previous years (R125 per person). This includes a 300g rump steak, sauce, chips, two salads and a bottle of Eagles’ Cliff wine.

There are also a couple of special add ons to the market this year:

• Trevor Daly will do an outdoor movie screening free of charge, bring your own picnic blanket or camping chair. Only food and drinks bought at the market will be allowed.
• The South Roots group will be performing their dance routines, this show will also be free of charge. South Roots is an upliftment project – donations will be welcome.

Visit the website for more information, or contact Tharina via email – tharina@realevents.co.za

For more festive season market info, visit our Guide to Cape Town’s Christmas Markets for 2011.

The lovely Casa Labia in Muizenberg has just launched ‘Picnics on the Lawn’, offering Saturday afternoon picnic hampers to couples and families who’d like to enjoy the beautiful view from the cultural centre’s lush lawns.

On a sunny day, there really isn’t much to compare to the view from that lawn – I’ve not been for the picnic (yet), but have eaten at the cafe and couldn’t resist wandering out to stare out at the sea.

The picnic hampers look amazing, full of quality ingredients which, added to the perfect setting, makes this seem to me a very tempting picnic option indeed – I can’t wait to try it out for myself!

Even if you aren’t into picnics, the Casa Labia is a wonderful spot to visit – for its contemporary South African art gallery, its delicious food, and its tranquil atmosphere.  It’s located at 192 Main Road, Muizenberg.

Picnics on the Lawn – Details

Cost:
Picnic hampers cost R285 per couple, and there will be a cash bar available on the terrace.  Children’s menu includes a sugar fruit stick, a whole wheat cheese roll, a cup cake, fruit juice and a little surprise toy for R50.00.

If you’re booking for a family of four (2 adults and 2 children) you will qualify for a special price of R335.00 for the adult basket and two kids packs.

Dates & Times:
Every Saturday from 12noon to 3pm during the summer period.
Bookings:
Picnics work on reservations only. Bookings for the baskets would need to be made and confirmed by Friday at 10am.  Contact the cafe at cafe@casalabia.co.za or 021 788 6062.

Today Fairtrade Label South Africa (FLSA) celebrates the start of their very first Fairtrade Week in South Africa, a campaign aimed at raising awareness about Fairtrade among the local public. Fairtrade Week’s slogan, ‘Taste the Change’, encourages South Africans to learn about the incredible potential of fair trading, and the significance it plays in improving lives in farming communities and in offering consumers the possibility of an ethical choice.

Amongst the activities planned for the week is the official product launch of the Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy Milk bars, which will finally be introduced to retail stores around South Africa (and the cost of a bar stays the same!)

Why buy Fairtrade?
Fairtrade creates more opportunities for those farming communities who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalised by the conventional trading system. Fairtrade benefits small-scale farmers and farm workers by:

1. ensuring better trading, working and living conditions through Fairtrade Standards
2. providing a Fairtrade Premium that small-scale farmers (in the case of a co-operative) and farm workers (in the case of a commercial farm) can invest in projects to improve their lives
3. supporting sustainable production and protection of the environment for a better future

Environmental standards focus on farming methods that are sustainable and safe. Amongst them: protection of sensitive natural areas, minimised and safe use of agrochemicals and ban of prohibited pesticides, safe and sustainable handling of waste and water, and no use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Perhaps one day this could even go a step further and support primarily organic and natural farming practices… a girl can dream, right?

Included in the media release were a number of examples of how Fairtrade is improving things here in South Africa, giving support to local farm workers, their families, and communities:

Bergendal Wine Farm – Western Cape

Location: Citrusdal, Western Cape, South Africa
Fairtrade certified for: wine grapes, rooibos tea, oranges, and soft citrus
Fairtrade products: Six Hats Fairtrade Wines

In 2006, three years after obtaining Fairtrade certification, 91 farm workers became shareholders with the creation of the Bergendal Workers Trust. Six months later a rooibos tea plantation was developed and in 2007 a packinghouse was built and a fruit exporting company, Everseason, established. At the same time the Carmien rooibos tea marketing company was started up. The trust holds shares from each of these ventures, ensuring diverse and profitable dividends.

Amongst other initiatives, farm workers’ homes were improved, a recreational hall and after care centre was built, and the local crèche was renovated.

Read full story.  Visit www.citrusdalwines.co.za

Dinaledi Farming Enterprises – Limpopo

Fairtrade certified for its oranges, lemons and grapefruit.

Money from Fairtrade premiums has been invested in schooling and education, the building of a recreation centre and the installation of hot showers.  Additionally, a portion of the 2010 Premium was also used to renovate a farm crèche and a number of beds were bought for the homes of workers on Grovedale farm. A small amount was set aside for low-interest loans afforded to farm workers, who used it to help pay for their children’s school fees.

Read full story.

Bosman Family Vineyards – Western Cape

Farm: Lilienfontein Estate (Bosman Family Vineyards), Wellington, South Africa
Fairtrade certified for: wine grapes
Fairtrade products: Appollis and Bosman Family Vineyards

At a milestone-marking event in January 2009, a joint venture between the Bosman family and the workers at Lilienfontein was birthed, forming the largest land reform partnership in the wine industry. “The Adama empowerment project turned [land reform] challenges into great opportunities: 260 permanent farm workers formed the Adama Appollo Trust of which they all are now beneficiaries. 430 hectares of [prime vineyard] land was included in the project, with Adama Trust acquiring a fifty percent share in the land,” Petrus Bosman, director of JC Bosman Farming, says. “The transaction also included a thirty percent share in the Bosman Family Vineyards cellar on Lelienfontein Estate and a five percent share in the operational farming concern, Lelienfontein Vinegrowers, Africa’s biggest vine nursery.”

Funds generated by the Fairtrade Premium has been invested in buying karate uniforms for the local karate squad (they attend the Bosman Farming Karate Club, an initiative started on the farm to keep farm workers’ children occupied) and plans for a fully-fledged karate club are in the pipeline. Other projects the committee has tackled include the renovation of two farm crèches, tiling of workers’ homes, stocking of a library on the estate and development of a computer centre.

Read full story.

A number of other inspiring worker case studies are published here.

A list of current and upcoming Fairtrade products in South Africa is available here.