IT WASN’T that long ago when the edibles in a Cape winery’s tasting room were limited to water biscuits or cream crackers. Today, some of South Africa’s best restaurants are located alongside some of the country’s top cellars and matching wine with food at the cellar door extends to a variety of different experiences, some offered even where there aren’t complete meals to be had.

Chocolate and wine marriages are the most plentiful and widespread; wine with cupcakes, macaroons or marshmallows are among the most unusual combos; and wine producers who specialise in three or more different pairings at their tasting rooms include Steenberg on the Cape Peninsula, Spier and JC Le Roux in Stellenbosch, KWV and Laborie in Paarl, and Van Loveren in Robertson.

See below for the wine and food pairings offered by South Africa’s Top 100 cellars – just click on the name of the wineries for contact info and more details about the nature of the tastings.

NOTE: almost without exception, it’s essential that you book at least 24 hours (if not 48 hours) in advance.

Biltong, Nuts & Wine

KWV in Paarl – R50 per person
Stellenrust in Stellenbosch – R50 per person

Charcuterie & Wine

Laborie in Paarl – R50 per person
Môreson in Franschhoek – R100 per person
Spice Route in Paarl – R75 per person
Van Loveren in Robertson – R50 per person

Cheese & Wine

Nederburg in Paarl – R50 to R70 per person
Steenberg in Tokai, Constantia Wine Route – R100 per person
Van Loveren in Robertson – R50 per person

Chocolate & Wine

Boschendal in Franschhoek – R40 to R70 per person
Groot Constantia – R80 per person
Hidden Valley in Stellenbosch – R75 per person
KWV in Paarl – R50 per person
Laborie in Paarl – R45 per person
Robertson Winery – R50 per person
Saxenburg in Kuils River / Stellenbosch – R35 per person
Spier in Stellenbosch – R65 per person
Stellenrust in Stellenbosch – R30 per person
Van Loveren in Robertson – R50 per person
Waterford in Stellenbosch – R55 per person

Cupcakes & Wine

Delheim in Stellenbosch – R75 to R85 per person

Macaroons & Sparkling Wine

Laborie in Paarl – R50 per person

Meringues, Marshmallows & Bubbly

JC Le Roux in Stellenbosch – R80 per person

Nougat & Sparkling Wine

JC Le Roux in Stellenbosch – R90 per person
KWV in Paarl – R50 per person
Villiera in Stellenbosch – R70 per person

Nougat, Nuts & Wine

Van Loveren in Robertson – R50 per person

Olives & Wine

Laborie in Paarl – R35 per person

Pizza & Wine

Eikendal in Stellenbosch – R40 per person

Salt & Wine

Bergkelder (Fleur du Cap) in Stellenbosch – R85 per person

Soup & Wine

Spier in Stellenbosch – R65 per person

 

Other

Neethlingshof in Stellenbosch offers a ‘Flash Food, Slow Wine Pairing’ for R65 per person

The House of JC Le Roux sparkling wines in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch, offers a deluxe tasting experience involving millionaire shortbread and fudge, butternut meringue, mojito meringue and fudge-coated fig for R80 pp

La Motte in Franschhoek offers a private Food and Wine Tasting paring five wines with five tastings of Pierneed á La Motte cuisine for R130 pp

Steenberg in Tokai (Constantia Wine Route) offers a private Food and Wine Pairing for R200 per person.

 

Some tips

For some basic guidelines, some of the classics when it comes to food-and-wine pairing, click here.