The forest of camphor trees at Vergelegen in Somerset West is a magical place to enjoy a gourmet picnic complemented by wines from one of the very best cellars in South Africa

WHERE TO PICNIC in the winelands of South Africa, near a winery, not far from the vines? Here are the best spots to purchase a picnic basket full of good food and wine in the countryside when wine-routing in the Cape. The are all on farms associated with highly rated reds or whites, bubblies or sweet dessert wines, i.e. the venues are limited to South Africa’s top wine farms, producers of the country’s top-rated wines.

Booking ahead is essential at most of the venues, a number of which post their menus online – just click on the names/links below for more information and images of what to expect, if the weather doesn’t play up…

BREEDEKLOOF

Du Toitskloof off R101, west of Rawsonville, Tel 023 349 1601 – October to April, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3pm. R80 to R200 per basket depending on selection from the deli. Picnics enjoyed under umbrellas on the lawn. Mountain views. Jungle gym.

CAPE PENINSULA

Buitenverwachting off Klein Constantia Road, Tel 021 794 1012 – November to March, 12 noon to 4pm. Must be booked in advance. R135 per adult, R45 per child under 10 years old. Picnics served on the lawn under the oaks. Tables and chairs provided.

Cape Point Vineyards off Silvermine Road, Noordhoek, Tel 021 789 0900 – summer months, Tuesday & Wednesday, Friday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm (kitchen closes at 6pm). Pre-booking essential for picnic baskets (R330 per basket for two & R65 per hamper per child), no booking required for cheeses (R155 per platter for two) and meats (R190 per platter for two). Good views of the ocean (Noordhoek beach) from across the dam.

Eagles’ Nest off Old Constantia Main Road, Tel 021 794 4095 – November to April, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 4:30pm. Booking essential. R350 per picnic for two (including bottle of wine), R100 per child under 12 years old, meat and vegetarian options. Picnics enjoyed on lawn under the trees (need to take own picnic blankets).

Groote Post off Darling Hills Road (off R27), Tel 022 492 2825 – must be ordered at least 48 hours in advance. R350 per basket (serves two), three basket options available. Nature walks. Farm drives.

DURBANVILLE

Durbanville Hills off Tygerbergvalley Road, Tel 021 558 1300 – October to April, Monday to Sunday. Pre-booking essential (48 hours in advance). R315 per basket (serves two), R80 per child. Picnics enjoyed under olive trees where custom-made throws and pillows are provided. Children’s play area.

FRANSCHHOEK

Boschendal on R310, Groot Drakenstein, Tel 021 870 4272 – October to May, Monday to Sunday. Baskets collected between 12:15 and 1:30pm. Booking essential. R170 per adult, R70 per child under 12 years old. Picnics enjoyed on the lawn around the pavillion. Mountain views.

Grande Provence off Main Road, Tel 021 876 8600 – November to April, Monday to Sunday, must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance, R450 per basket (for two). Baskets include bottle of wine, enjoyed under oak tree in manicured garden next to vineyard.

Mont Rochelle off Bordeaux Street, Tel 021 876 2770 – Monday to Sunday. Choice of four baskets ranging from R170 to R480. Advance booking recommended. Picnics enjoyed at the dam or under an oak or weeping willow tree. Tables dotted around the garden for those who prefer them to blankets.

Solms-Delta off R45, Groot Drakenstein, Tel 021 874 3937 – September to April, Monday to Sunday. Pre-booking essential. R145 per adult, R75 per child. Vegetarian and Halaal catered for on request. Forrest picnic site (10 minute walk or tractor ride) on large lawn, river banks or shady spots overlooking dam. Picnic blankets provided (need to take own chairs if required). Swimming in river permissible.

PAARL

Backsberg off R45, Simonsberg, Tel 021 875 5952 – Monday to Sunday, 9:30am to 4pm. Booking essential (minimum of two people). R135 per person. Picnics served in the garden and at the restaurant.

ROBERTSON

Viljoensdrift off R317, Tel 023 615 1017 – Deli open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 3:30pm on Saturday, 10am to 3pm on first Sunday of every month. Cost varies according to type and size of food and drink order. Picnics enjoyed at benches on the deck, on a grass bank alongside the Breede River, or on catamaran (50 min river cruise at R50pp, R20 per child under 13 years old, advance booking essential).

SOMERSET WEST

Vergelegen off Lourensford Road, Tel 021 847 1346 – November to April, Monday to Sunday, Reservations essential. R199 per person (excluding entrance fee and beverages). Vegetarian option. Children’s menu at R95 per child (under 11 years old). Picnics served in camphor forest beyond the lawns and rose garden. Peacocks.

STELLENBOSCH

Delheim off Knorhoek Road (off R44), Simonsberg, Tel 021 888 4607 – October to April, Monday to Sunday. Pre-booking essential. R149 per adult, R70 per child. Picnics enjoyed under the oaks or on the lawn alongside the Klip River. Cotton blankets provided. Abundant birdlife.

Hartenberg off M23/Bottelary Road (off R304), Tel 021 865 2541 – October to April Monday to Sunday, May to September Monday to Saturday. 9am to 4pm. Booking essential. R175 per person (including bottle of wine per couple), R65 per child under 12 years. Picnics enjoyed in under the trees where tables and cushions are provided. Wetland walks. Children’s play area. Boules, croquet and Mega tower (Jenga).

Hidden Valley off Annandale Road (off R44), Helderberg, Tel 021 880 2646 – Monday to Sunday. By appointment only (three days in advance). R350 per basket (including bottle of wine). Secluded picnic spots at a dam. Indigenous gardens, nature walk.

Lanzerac on Lanzerac Road, off Jonkershoek Road, Tel 021 887 5516 – Monday to Sunday. Select from the deli’s range of sandwiches and platters or pre-book a Heritage Picnic and Wine Basket for R535 (serves two). Picnics enjoyed in deli’s garden overlooking vineyards.

Morgenhof on R44, Simonsberg, Tel 021 889 5510 – Need to book at least 24 hours in advance. Three menus available, each serving two and including a bottle of wine: Standard Menu at R170, Gourmet Menu at R335, Vegetarian Menu at R215. Children’s menu at R60 per child. Picnics enjoyed on the lawns.

Remhoogte on R44, Simonsberg, Tel 021 889 5005 – Summer, Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm. Pre-booking essential. R250 per basket (serves two), R60 per child’s basket. Rugs provided to relax on under the trees, or picnics can be enjoyed at a table on one of the verandas. Horserides through the vineyards and orchards available on request.

Spier on Baden Powell Road (R310), Tel 021 809 1100 – Eight to Go Deli operates Monday to Sunday. Need to book at least 24 hours in advance. Picnics enjoyed on the lawn and at tables in the garden. Basket choices include Gourmet (R298 for two, R150 for each additional person), Vegetarian (R270 for two, R140 for each additional person) and Relaxed (R240 for two, R150 for each additional person). R75 per child under 13 years old. Picnic blankets and table-cloths not provided.

Uitkyk off R44, Simonsberg, Tel 021 884 4416 – Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Advisable to book at least 24 hours in advance. R400 per standard basket for two people including water and bottle of wine, R450 for picnic including bottle of Carlonet wine, R460 for picnic including bottle of Glass Memoires Cap Classique bubbly. Expanses of lawn, shady spots under the trees, private corners. Picnic blankets and tables provided. Boules. Croquet. Children also catered for.

Warwick on R44, Simonsberg, Tel 021 884 4410 – Monday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. R350 per gourmet or vegetarian basket (serves two), children’s box for R49. Booking advisable. Picnic lawn with tables and umbrellas, cushions and jungle gym. Forest courtyard. Picnic pods. Penthouse (open-air boma) in mountain vineyards. Deck overlooking lawn and dam.

Zevenwacht on Langverwacht Road (off Zevenwacht Link Road, off M12/Polkadraai Road), Kuils River, Tel 021 900 5800 – September to May. Booking essential (at least three days in advance). Various baskets available (each serves two): Farmhouse and Vegetarian for R290, Gourmet for R500, Kiddies for R60. Braai Baskets for R290 and R360. Halaal options also available. Picnics on tree-shaded lawns sloping down to a dam. Braai basket option.

Zorgvliet on Helshoogte Road, Banghoek, Tel 021 885 1399 – Wednesday to Sunday (Monday to Sunday during school holidays), 9am to 4pm. Basket options range from R210 to R400 for two people. Children’s basket for R70. Tree-shaded lawns, umbrellas, benches. Family-friendly. Jungle gym. Picnic blankets provided.

WELLINGTON

Doolhof off Bovlei Road, Tel 021 873 6911 – Tuesday to Sunday, 12 noon to 3pm. Need to book at least 24 hours in advance. R200 per basket (for two people). Designated picnic sites on path meandering alongside Kromme River. Scenic views. Vineyard walks. Map available on request.