Beat the year-end blues and recharge your batteries, by escaping to the heart of the Cape Winelands for Proe Paarl – a month-long celebration of the unique offerings of the Paarl region, until Sunday December 18.
The Grande Roche hotel is holding a Bubbles and Braai event on Thursday December 15.
At Paarl’s most iconic landmark, the Afrikaans Taalmonument , Volksmond Coffee Shop offers an Afrikaans breakfast with eggs, mieliepap and boerewors with “boeretroos” or rooibos tea at R80.
Alternatively, try a traditional lunch of bobotie, melktert, a cup of “ boeretroos”, rooibos tea or a glass of Boland Cellar wine for R150. The cost includes entry to the monument. A special kiddie’s menu and play area is available.
The Boland Kelder Bistro is open for bistro-style meals, and Mellasat’s summer pop-up restaurant will be open on Friday December 11 for lunch and dinner.
The historical Nederburg homestead is offering a special Proe Paarl two-course lunch at the Red Table restaurant, or enjoy their Sunday lunches with local entertainment.
Laborie Estate’s Harvest and Taste restaurants have created a special dish of slow-cooked duck served with a glass of Laborie wine.
Under Oaks will be hosting a charity fun run on Saturday December 3, with a 5km and 10km option through the farm before finishing off with gourmet hot dogs. Enter online at www.runthevines.co.za
For a family-friendly foodie treat, visit the Windmeul Cellar Farmers Market on Saturday December 3. The market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, and offers local produce and treats as well as entertainment for the whole family. And now they have added the Parskuip Neighbourhood Market from Mondays to Fridays, which will be bustling with locally produced delicacies.
Sample a picnic from Knus Karoo Kombuis in the plum orchards on this working farm or relax on the Landskroon lawns with magic views over Table Mountain and the vineyards.
Visitors can pack their own basket or order a pre-packed picnic from the farm.
See South African artists Arno Carstens and Referent on stage at the Taal Monument Garden Theatre during a picnic concert on Friday December 2, or enjoy a Christmas full-moon picnic on Thursday December 15.
The KWV Emporium presents a new tasting experience featuring four styles of Pinotage paired with four food bites as well as a complimentary glass of Pinotage Sangria.
Landskroon offers a Heritage or 5 Pauls food and wine pairing with five wines and snacks, while Nederburg Wines are introducing a new bread and wine tasting. Try the Proe Paarl platter with cheeses or the Turkish Delight and Wine Pairing at Under Oaks.
Enjoy a vineyard walk and wine tasting with Mellasat owner Stephen Richardson before visiting the Cemetery of Forgotten Wines during a cellar tour. Gourmet burgers are available.
Also worth a visit is the new tasting venue at Perdeberg Winery, where visitors can try their new pairing option of nougat and fudge with four Perdeberg wines.
Visit www.proepaarl.co.za for a line-up of all participating venues.
