{eat}{drink} Country-chic wining & dining at Blaauwklippen Wine Estate

Blaauwklippen has always held a special place in my heart. It might be the beauty of the gardens, the tranquility of the setting, the embracing blue mountains or the fresh Stellenbosch air that just somehow flows more freely, filling the lungs deeper with serenity. Whatever it might be, I’m here for it.

Introduction

It’s always a pleasure to return to the estate for one of many reasons – the market, the food, the wine, the destination. Recently, we spent a leisurely afternoon in the company of this iconic Stellenbosch wine estate, much to my little heart’s delight. This time, not only for the picturesque outing, but for a taste of their wine and food.

Background

Founded in 1682, Blaauwklippen is one of the oldest wine farms in Stellenbosch. Down to earth with a rich history and winemaking tradition, they produce wines of distinction in harmony with the simplicity of country living. Located at the foothills of the Stellenbosch Mountain, the Estate comprises of 115 hectares. The farm has rich and fertile soils, hailed from grey-blue decomposed granite deposited against the mountain slopes. Vineyard practices are aimed at achieving the perfect balance between healthy vines and low yields, to produce the best quality wines.

Wine tasting at Blaauwklippen

The Tall one and I arrived late morning on a beautifully autumnal Saturday morning, Blaauwklippen already a chattering hive of activity, with little groups of people enjoying the grounds and spoils in the crisp morning sunshine. Everything seemed saturated in vivid colour – the precise reason that autumn is my favourite season of the year. We settled in on the patio at the wine tasting centre, with a view over a sweep of purple salvias in full bloom, lazily swaying in the breeze.

Our sommelier for the morning was the gorgeous Olwethu. With a smile as bright as the autumn sun, she guided us effortlessly through both the Classic and Premium wine tastings, which included:

Classic tasting (R95 per person, 5 wines) –

Sauvignon Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Blush Rosé
Zinfandel
Merlot

Premium tasting (R110 per person, 5 wines) –

Brut MCC
Cabernet Franc
Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
DBK Bordeaux Blend

We took our time to journey through both flights, sharing sips here and there, lingering a little bit longer on the Malbec and the Zinfandel.  I also particularly enjoyed the vivacious Brut MCC, deliciously alluring in its dark cloak. To round things up and to warm our slightly chilled bodies, Olly organised for us to taste the signature Blaauwklippen Before & After Aperitif and the 10 Year Old Potstill Brandy, both which are truly exceptional and the perfect ending to a leisurely tasting.

Farm Shop & Deli

Not only well-known for their fabulous wines, but Blaauwklippen is also home to a Farm Shop & Deli (offering visitors the best of locally grown and produced deli fare), a country-casual restaurant which offers laidback elegance and classic dishes inspired by the Winelands and its Mediterranean way of life.

The old farm stables were converted to house the Farm Shop & Deli, incorporating a casual bistro and the new aptly-named Panorama Terrace that overlooks the sprawling picnic lawn with views across the farm to the mountains beyond.

Quite peckish after a morning of wine tasting, we strolled over the lawns up to the Farm Shop & Deli for a bit of lunch. An eternal fan of the European sidewalk dining culture, the Farmhouse Deli felt right up my street. With the Panorama Terrace overlooking a quieter part of the estate, the setting felt relaxed and welcoming.

We took our seat on the stoep, and continued our people-watching hobby from a very comfortable spot. Wernadene ran us through their rustic, yet contemporary bistro menu, filled with wholesome, simple and locally inspired dishes.

I particularly loved the simple, easy to navigate, uncomplicated menu – it was clear that each dish was carefully curated and added to the menu to offer only the best of all options. It took a while to make our decision, but after some consideration, neither Tim nor I could resist the thought of the chicken schnitzel burger, served with a honey mustard mayo, fresh tomato, red onion, cucumber, and coriander salsa topped with avocado on a sesame seed bun. I added a Blaauwklippen Salad to share and the rest of the afternoon was spent grazing and sipping on a glass of mouthwatering Blush Rosé.

Do yourself a favour and take a moment to browse through the Deli for the most amazing baked goods and breads, as well as the best of locally grown and produced deli fare.

In conclusion

If you enjoy a country-inspired day out, Blaauwklippen is just the place for you, and the Farm Shop & Deli will delight with their light meals and delicious menu. With our lungs filled with fresh air, and our tummies delightfully content, we reluctantly took our leave late afternoon, promising each other to return soon for the jaffles, and maybe another little taste of Blaauwklippen wine!

The Little Hedonist has made every effort to ensure that the information in this post was correct at the time of publication. However, I do not assume any liability caused by errors, such as price, menu changes, opening times, and contact details.

Disclaimer: I was invited to this event in my personal capacity.  This is my honest and truthful opinion and review thereof. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely those of The Little Hedonist, given in good faith and in no way influenced by the company or its affiliates. All images, unless otherwise stated/credited, are also my own.

The Little Hedonist endorses responsible drinking.
Don’t drink and drive. Not for persons under 18.